Especially with regard to dogs, but equally relevant to other species, the vaccination debate rolls on: http://www.alternativevet.org/vaccination.htm.
I have the pleasure of having been invited to give my views in front of a camera, at the end of this week, for a new DVD presentation on the subject.
Of course, there is nothing new to discuss or to reveal but the anxiety felt by dog owners is understandably very real and very great, regarding protection of their beloved animals from the 'killer diseases', such as Leptospirosis, Parvovirus and Distemper.
Make no mistake, these diseases are still very prevalent out there and unprotected animals can fall prey to them, with disastrous consequences.
Several key facts need to be broadcast:
The diseases are killers.
It is not good enough to do nothing.
Annual boosting of vaccination is a habit, not based on science.
Even a single dose of vaccine, at the first injection stage, can be dangerous, in susceptible individuals. There is no way of determining susceptibility in advance.
There is a significant number of obvious vaccine reactions, rarely if ever reported under the SARSS scheme (http://www.alternativevet.org/sarss.htm)
Double-boosting in dogs that have missed a year or two is not only not based in science, it is also doubly dangerous.
In many cases, a single dose of vaccine can be protective for life. However, it is not possible to determine in which cases.
Antibody testing (titre testing) does not help a great deal. Animals can be immune without the presence of circulating antibodies.
Any dog with an illness or disease should not be vaccinated, according to the manufacturers' Data Sheet.
About 80% of chronic disease, in cases in which a start date can be determined, show first signs within three months of a vaccination event. This is despite the Newmarket POOCH study's findings (http://www.alternativevet.org/Vaccination%20WS024-07.pdf). This fact can be gleaned from veterinary notes up and down the country (i.e. real-life science).
Homeopathic methods (homeoprophylaxis) are without risk of side-effects.
Homeopathic methods are without clear proof of efficacy but limited clinical trial work is very indicative of a positive effect: http://www.alternativevet.org/research.htm
Thousands of dogs in the UK do not receive vaccination, rather receiving only homeoprophylaxis. This has not created a disaster.
Homeoprophylactic methods will not satisfy legal or competition requirements for vaccination.
My own dogs have never received any conventional vaccination, despite being extremely high-risk dogs as a result of their lifestyle and environment.
I cannot recommend the Pet Passport procedure for dogs, as it involves so much chemical input, further vaccination (Rabies) etc. I therefore advocate leaving dogs at home, when taking holidays and trips abroad.
What first alerted me to vaccination problems, who once was possibly the most vaccine-minded vet ever, was the sudden and dramatic relapse of homeopathically 'cured' chronic cases, just after a booster vaccination.
I am unable to recommend re-vaccination of any chronically-diseased patient, even after apparent 'cure', for this reason and because of the wording of the Data Sheet.
As stated at the outset, this information also applies to horses and to cats. In the case of horses and tetanus vaccination, boosting should not be necessary inside 10 - 12 years.
I am always very willing ot discuss this subject responsibly and in-depth, with any concerned enquirer (vet or animal owner): http://www.veterinary-homeopathy.co.uk/id4.html, knowing the legitimate concerns that attend this issue.