Traditional Chinese Medicine Perspective on Vaccinations

By Megan Dettloff-Meyer

The number of vaccinations given each year continues to rise.   In 1980 kids received 8 doses of recommended vaccinations between birth and 2 years of age. Now they are recommended to receive 28 doses by the time they are 2 and 49 for 14 diseases by the time they are 6.  If children follow this schedule you need to proactively support their body in detoxing from the heavy metals.  If you do vaccinate, I suggest you look into alternative vaccination schedules, such as Dr. Sear's.  This article is intended to provide information on the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) perspective on vaccinations and to spread the word that there are other options when it comes to preventing and fighting off communicable disease.  Only you, the parent, can decide if you should or should not vaccinate your child.  With the new rule proposed by the CDC to mandate vaccinations and other medical interventions as they deem appropriate (regardless of the patient's medical decisions and wishes), it is clear more conversation needs to happen around vaccinations.  Other options are available.  The beauty of Traditional Chinese Medicine is that it supports the health of your child either way, vaccinated or not.   

Traditional Chinese Medicine Progression of Disease
To better understand the traditional Chinese medicine perspective on vaccines for children you need a little understanding of the natural progression of disease. Your body innately has four different levels of defenses to fight off disease:
Wei Level – initial defense against colds and flus

1. Wei level - initial defense against colds and flus
2. Qi level – second line of defense against stomach flu and bacterial infections
3. Ying level – third line of defense against latent viruses and chronic infections
4. Blood level – deepest line of defense against degenerative pathogens and heavy metals

The Wei level is where pathogens can be easily overcome and there is no need to seek medical attention. In a healthy child, common household herbs are effective for these common cold and flu bugs. The Qi level becomes active with deeper respiratory infections that have been lingering for days or weeks. The body will continue to fight off pathogens at the Qi level when properly supported. At the Ying level the body is taxed and the pathogen can set in as pneumonia, mononucleosis and other deeper-rooted infections. At this level it is important to seek medical advice and carefully monitor progress. Finally, if a pathogen gets into the Blood level illness can affect the brain, spinal column, kidneys and other internal organs. This is the most difficult level to treat and requires a longer course of treatment.

 Vaccinations Target the Blood Level of Disease  in TCM
Vaccinations inject pathogens directly to the Blood level and the body’s normal defenses are bypassed. Vaccines (which are manufactured with heavy metals and other chemicals) in the blood cross the blood-brain barrier and can be devastating to some. For infants and children who are healthy and strong, their immune systems can effectively manage the immunization process.  However, for those whose immune systems are not up to the extra burden, this can shock the body and lead to short or long-term consequences.

Traditional Chinese Medicine to Support the Immune System
Before vaccinating your infant or child, it is recommended they see a Chinese Medicine practitioner (or other practitioner trained in supporting the immune system through the vaccination process) a few weeks beforehand.  Depending on your child’s health, a series of treatments before vaccination may be advised. A treatment soon after receiving the shot is important. Stimulation of acupuncture points with massage, cold laser therapy, magnets, or needles and a Chinese herbal formula to support the immune system prepares the body for the Blood level attack. This combination is extremely effective in supporting the immune system and preventing adverse reactions to vaccines.

If you opt not to vaccinate your child, it is advised your child visit a TCM practitioner once every few months and more frequently during times of heightened disease or illness outbreaks. This will help the immune system stay strong and effectively fight off circulating pathogens. Herbs and other tools are important to have on hand and use at the first sign of sickness.   With the recent attack against anti-vaxers, it is important to have an alternative holistic plan in place to support your little one against disease.   A 2010 study available at the Kaohsiung Journal of Medicine. found that a commonly used Traditional Chinese Medicine formula, Yin Qiao San, "exerted the greatest therapeutic effect (against Influenza-A virus) in infected embryonated hen eggs and was significantly superior to ribavirin )" (a common anti-viral medicine).

 If you would like more information on the pros and cons of vaccines for children from a Western Medicine perspective, I recommend The Vaccine Book by Dr. Sears, which also contains a modified vaccine schedule.

Signs You May Want to Wait to Vaccinate Your Child

• If child is sick or teething wait for shots until they are vibrant and healthy
• If child has asymmetrical facial features they have a weakness in the Blood Level and should see a cranial sacral therapist and acupuncturist before any shots
• If child has developmental delays consider post-poning vaccinations until the blood brain barrier is fully developed around the age of two or three
• If your child has one or more of the MTHFR gene polymorphisms (mutations), or any other mitochondrial disease avoid vaccination
  
  

Whatever you decide to do regarding vaccinations, do it in faith and confidence that you are doing the right thing!  Parents today have an overwhelming amount of health options to consider and the best thing you can do is get informed.  Traditional Chinese Medicine is an effective and holistic approach to safeguard your child against communicable disease (for the non-vaccinated children) as well as provides protection and support detoxing for children that are receiving vaccines. 

Herbs, spices, Traditional Chinese pediatric formulas, and homeopathic medicine are some of the effective tools to use against communicable diseases