Introduction
Yvonne Stone and Liz Bevan-Jones trained as homeopaths at the College of Homeopathy in London, qualifying in 1996. Both of them trained and have practised as State Registered Nurses. Before becoming interested in homeopathy, Yvonne worked as a certified midwife for 15 years; and Liz as a district nurse.
They originally collected together the material in this handbook to inform a Vaccination and Childhood Disease Support Group for parents and families, which they set up in 1999. The information presented here is intended for the use of parents — to enable them to make informed vaccine and health choices for their children. You have Liz and Yvonne's permission to photocopy any of the material in this booklet and pass it on to friends, families or anyone else who might find it useful.
The following are comments made by mothers who attended the Vaccination and Childhood Disease Support Group:
The Vaccine Support Group gave me a useful alternative to vaccinations and reassured me I was not being irresponsible in not vaccinating my children.
— Rosemary, Raynes Park
I no longer felt alone in my decision not to vaccinate and I no longer feared my children becoming ill. The Support Group gave me confidence, knowledge and information to care for them.
— Tracy, Merton Park
Even though I felt instinctively I didn't want to have my children vaccinated, the pressure from society to do so felt enormous. So to have access to a group where I could meet other like-minded parents and moreover get practical support and advice from two experienced homeopaths on how to deal with any illness or crisis which may arise has been immensely reassuring.
— Jeanette, Epsom
Ante-natal classes can prepare one for the birth of your first child, but there is no support or information for new mothers on the effects of vaccination on your baby. I started to attend the Vaccination Support Group where I found myself amongst other mothers who had many questions concerning their child's health and vaccination. We all found that we were not getting the information that we wanted from our GPs, health visitors or baby clinics. In fact we all found that we were made to feel foolish and guilty in questioning baby vaccination at our local surgeries. I found the support group to be very helpful on the various issues concerning childhood diseases and vaccination. I now feel much more confident in making decisions about my son's health and do not feel doubtful or confused when I decide not to vaccinate my child.
— Jane, Merton Park
It is great to have someone support me in having the courage to go with my gut feeling. To not feel alone in making a difficult decision. To have someone reassure me that my child wouldn't die tomorrow if I didn't vaccinate them. To be able to have opinions that were not considered unrealistic or abnormal.
— Suki, Wimbledon