Champions of immunisation fail to understand that the immune system is about more than just the creation of antibodies: the aim of vaccination. In fact there are two well established elements - called Th1 and Th2 - and further elements are suspected but not well understood.

The most important element is Th1 immunity. This is the ‘detect an invader, search and destroy’ mechanism. This is what the tonsils and adenoids (amongst other organs) are all about. Th2 immunity takes place further down the line. While Th1 is seeking out and destroying, Th2 presents particles of the invader to the cells which create antibodies to prevent another invasion later in life. A strong Th1 response ensures a strong and enduring Th2 response, which also serves to shut down Th1 activity when sufficient antibodies have been created.

The problem with vaccinations is that they bypass the Th1 system and then weakly engage the Th2 system, leaving the latter permanently switched on. This could be the explanation for the huge rise of auto-immune diseases in recent years (e.g. multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile onset diabetes, Chron’s disease). In more industrially developed countries this is now the third major category of illness after heart disease and cancer.

Vaccine researcher Hilary Butler asks, “Could it be that early injections “teach” the immune system a “back to front” immunity?”

Original publication: Exploring natural traditions and current controversies, the promise of primary health in the developing world - Dr. R. Obomsawin. CIDA Audit and Evaluation Dept. Sept. 1991. This has now been revised and self-published as ‘Universal Immunisation - Medical Miracle or Masterful Mirage” and is available from Health Action Network in Burnaby, British Columbia (Canada).