Meningitis is a serious illness which can be fatal or cause serious neurological damage as a result.
After the introduction in 1992 of this vaccine in to the National Vaccination Program, the incidence of meningitis increased rather than diminished. In the nineteen eighties the Japanese started the vaccination program at the age of two. The result was less neurological side-effects of the vaccination, including less cases of meningitis.
Not only do we see an increase of the incidence of meningitis after introduction of the vaccine in to the National Vaccination Program (NVP) in the Netherlands, we also see it in other countries like the US (an increase of 5 times a five times increase!!), Sweden and Switzerland. Obviously there is a shift in the causing microorganisms due to the deficient development of the immune system. The pneumococcus and meningococcal bacteria are more dangerous than the HIB. We are burdening are children with more and more vaccines without reducing the risks. Like many other countries, the Netherlands chose to introduce the vaccine in to the NVP. Spain chose not to!
With the introduction of yet another vaccine our children’s immune system will be undermined even more r and the risk of infection with other strains of meningococci (eg B, 28 other strains of the meningococcus have already been discovered) will increase as will the neurological complications such as epilepsy and developmental and behavioral disorders. The pneumococcal vaccine will surely be the next to be introduced in to the NVP. (Since the writing of this script it has been introduced.) In that case infants will be charged with 21 vaccines (3 times 7) in the first few months of their life which is a heavy burden for these infants.
For nearly 20 years the serogroup B was responsible for around 85 % of meningitis cases and the serogroup C was the main cause of nearly all the other meningitides. In the last years the cases of meningitis caused by the serogroup C has risen and is now accountable for 30% of cases.
The disease
Inflammation of the meninges -meningitis- is also known (in the Netherlands) as neck-cramp/ because an important symptom is stiffness of the cervical region: the impairment and painfulness when moving the chin to the chest. When passive flexion of the neck is attempted muscle spasms make the neck so rigid that the head and trunk may be lifted from the bed instead of the neck being flexed. Although this is a characteristic symptom, the diagnosis is difficult in the initial phase because of the resemblance with serious influenza. The onset is acute with headache, pyrexia (39 oC) and often rigors. Prominent signs: the headache rapidly becomes severe and spreads down the neck. There may be pain in the back and limbs and neck stiffness. Great weakness / lassitude, drowsiness, photophobia, vertigo and vomiting. Small children don't want to be handled.
Spread of the disease is by droplet infection (cough, sneezing) or by symptomless carriers.
A second form of meningococcal infection is blood poisoning (septicaemia) which actually is more dangerous. Due to the toxins many body-functions become disrupted. Throughout the body many small blood clots (CIS) are formed causing a depletion of the blood coagulation factors and the appearance of small haemorrhages in the skin and organs (petechial rash seen on the skin).
Within the first three days a petechial rash appears. Infection of one or more joints may occur. Conjunctivitis is common and adrenal failure occurs due to haemorrhages in the adrenal cortex. These symptoms can develop within a few hours. In 20 to 40 % it is fatal.
Prevention
The bacterium resides in the nasopharynx of 10% of the population (carriers) without causing symptoms. It is a misconception to believe that the only way of contamination is from an infected child on to a healthy child. Most of the contaminations are through healthy carriers. It must not be the intention to avoid the illness as much as possible – this is practically impossible because of the many carriers – but it must be the intent to ensure good immune systems in children so they are able to cope with meningococcal infection. Emergency vaccinations only weaken the resistance further giving the bacterium the chance to play its devastating role.
The difference between a healthy carrier and a patient is the strength of the immune system.
Up to three months the child is protected against meningitis by the antibodies of the mother. Breastfeeding strengthens and lengthens the period of resistance/ defense. Most cases of meningococcal meningitis occur between the ages of 6 months and 2 years.
In 1959 the incidence of meningococcal meningitis A, B, C was not even 50 per year.
In 1996 the incidence of meningococcal meningitis was more than 550 per year. During later years the incidence rose to 750 -800 per year of which 15% caused by meningococcus C, 30% by the pneumococcus, 35% by the meningococcus B and 20% by others including the Haemophilus influenzae B. In the Netherlands the meningococcal A meningitis is virtually non-existent.
From 2000 onward the incidence of meningococcal C meningitis is rising. Cause is unknown.
Treatment
The diagnosis is made with the aid of a lumbar puncture. The treatment of meningitis consists of the administration of antibiotics. Alongside with the regular treatment this very serious disease with quite often a fatal outcome can be treated with homeopathy. But our society is not ready for that yet. Treating this serious illness only with homeopathy is not justified because hospitalization is required.
Our society is also not prepared to opt for a homeopathic prevention of this disease. The homeopathic prevention gives a good and broad protection. This has been scientifically researched. Further research into the long-term impact of such a prevention would offer additional information but a research such as undertaken in Brazil just isn't possible in the Netherlands.
The vaccine and side-effects
The vaccine used in the Netherlands against the meningococcus C -Neisvac-C- has only been tested on 6000 children and quickly put in to force. In this research the control group didn't receive a placebo – in scientific research this is required- but the Hep. B vaccine. Scientifically speaking this research thus becomes worthless. The fact that millions of children have been inoculated with this vaccine, also in the UK, does not mean that the vaccine is safe.. One has to realize that when a new vaccine is introduced the side-effects are systematically negated and attributed to chance (other factors than the vaccine). This happens in the Netherlands. The Dutch government still upholds the conviction that in the Netherlands no serious and/ or lasting side-effects of vaccinations have occurred and that no children have died because of vaccinations. Unfortunately there is no unbiased information on this subject but only propaganda.
To what extent side-effects of the meningococcal C vaccine will occur is as yet not clear. That will become clear in the years to come. But it is obvious that the immune system of a two months old baby will be even more taxed than it already is and that the complaints as a result of immunity-loss, will only increase. This will manifest itself especially in the increase of chronic infections such as common colds, otitis media, bronchitis, asthma, pneumonia and skin problems but also in mood- and developmental disorders, behavioral disorders, and epilepsy. Mentioned in the meningitis-factsheet of the UK National Vaccination Information Center (site of American organisation: www.nvic.org) is the death of the child Dion just a few hours after the vaccination against meningitis-C and the DKTP (vaccine used in the Netherlands against Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus and Polio). Also mentioned are: behavioral change, aggressiveness, infantile rheumatic arthritis, diabetes, and meningitis.
According to The Observer within 10 months more than 16.000 side-effects of which 12 deaths were reported. Also according to The Observer the decrease in meningococcal meningitis was only 18 %, whereas stated by the authorities the decline was 85%.
What is wise?
Whether the introduction of the vaccine against meningitis caused by meningococcus C remains to be seen. Most certainly the side-effects caused by vaccinations will increase. Therefore it is questionable, given the many uncertainties regarding the vaccine's safety and effectiveness, if it is wise to have your child vaccinated against this disease.
Homeopathic alternative:
I have always been very cautious in regard to 'homeopathic vaccination'. It is way too easy to say: 'give a homeopathic dilution of the illness (nosode) and you are protected'. It has not been scientifically verified and for a number of diseases it can not to be verified because they hardly exist anymore like polio and diphtheria.
However, now there is every reason to recommend the homeopathic alternative: a major study in Brazil shows that the nosode Mxxxxxxxxxxxxxx* 30 CH (K) gives excellent protection against ALL the forms of meningitis.
With the cooperation of the Health Department of the city Blumenau, the research was conducted in 1998 among 90.000 young people between 0 and 20 years of age (in contrast with vaccination tests which are done on 6000 people without an adequate control group). The results were statistically significant with a 95% protection within the first 6 months and 91% within the first year. In the Netherlands it is possible to make use of this protection which seems to be a better choice than the vaccination.
Breastfeeding, when given during the first months, appears to give an additional protection against meningococcal infections.
It is important to ensure that your child has a good immune system. Is your child constantly ill with coryza, recurrent infections: otitis media, infections of the air passages and certainly when you notice a deterioration of your child’s wellbeing after a period of good health, it is advisable to consult a qualified homeopath. With the help of homeopathy these problems can be resolved and the immune system can restore itself. Contrary to what some doctors claim, it is not normal that children constantly have a cold nor that they have one infection after the other. A good resistance/ immune system will protect your child against the complications of a meningococcal infection and against other diseases.