To vaccinate or not, that is the question?
What are the dogs telling Dr. Blake?

As you are all well aware the vaccination in humans and animals has been under scrutiny for over a 100 years. My personal opinions are also shared by many veterinarians around the world. The purpose of this page is to help you make an educated decision on whether to vaccinate or not for your entire family.

For the past 25 years I have stressed the following issue about vaccinations. Is the theory of vaccination practical? When we know there are an infinite number of strains of virus and bacteria, does it make any sense to try to prevent disease by injecting an infinite number of viruses and bacteria into the blood stream's of animals and people. My answer to this question is NO. I feel the answer to preventing disease, is a healthy immune system. You can read my page on how to stay healthy http://www.thepetwhisperer.com/pet_message.html .and learn what you can do to help your animals and yourselves stay healthy.

I have been encouraging my clients to not vaccinate or vaccinate less for the past 25 years. All of the cases of Distemper and Kennel cough I have seen over these many years were all vaccinated at some point in their lives. All Parvo cases I have treated post 1978's Parvo epidemic had all been vaccinated. My reason for making this statement is that I want you to all be aware there are no guarantees whether you vaccinate or not.

The majority of my patients are unvaccinated or have only had their initial vaccines as puppies or kittens and have not vaccinated since. 95+ of all my new patients have still been vaccinated annually even though this had not been recommended in the veterinary profession for over 10 years.

When a client asked, "Dr. Blake should I not vaccinate my animal? I answer It depends on your fear level and the risk in your area for parvo or distemper in your individual dog's life." Some clients fear is too great and they feel better vaccinating for Parvo and or Distemper at the ages of 10 to 12 weeks. I explain to them if they have any feelings that they will have regrets if their dog comes down with either of these diseases and they would blame themselves for not vaccinating, I give them the following advise.

Vaccinate the puppy for Parvo at 10 weeks of age but if he has any adverse reaction to the vaccine, DO NOT vaccinate from that point on. Either way I then tell them to get a Parvo antibody titer 2 weeks later to see how well his body responded to the vaccine. If the titer is positive, he doesn't need a second shot. If it is low and he didn't have an adverse reaction to the vaccine, he can have a second one if need be.

The same goes for Distemper. I do not recommend annual booster or the use of any of the other vaccines. Rabies is the only required vaccine in all the states, none of the others. You do not need any of these vaccines to travel, only the Rabies. This is only if you are flying. If you are driving, you do not need a health certificate or any proof of vaccines to travel interstate by car. 

 I would recommend all of you contact your local agency and tell them you want them to put into place a provision that an adequate Rabies titer will replace the need for a booster shot annually or every three years depending on the ruling in your area. This is a way to stop the repeated injections of Rabies virus into our pets and preventing more damage to their immune systems.

Go to this site to learn how you can help change the laws on Rabies vaccinations http://www.zbirdbrain.com/PetAdvocatesTownHallCisStudyFAQ.htm

Most of my cat clients do not vaccinate their cats for anything. If they need to vaccinate, I recommend only Feline distemper ( panleukopenia) one shot at 12 to 16  weeks of age and that is it for life.

   Leukemia vaccine and rabies vaccines have both been known to cause injection-site sarcomas in cats since the late 1980's. An injection-site sarcoma is a tumor induced by an injection and is most often a vaccination injection. Some investigators estimate that post-vaccinal sarcomas occur in as many as 1 of every 1,000 to as few as 1 in every 10,000 cats vaccinated. Injection-site sarcomas are recognized only in cats.
    I have not recommended either of these vaccines for over 20 years. The risk from the toxic effects of these two vaccines are far greater than the chance your cat will get either. I have never seen a cat diagnosed with Rabies in the past 33 years of practice.

Dr. Christian Blake says

"The chances of a domestic cat getting rabies, is about as great as a piece of the Moon hitting you on your way to work." and I have not seen a case of feline distemper in my practice for over 33 years.

Richard Pitcairn DVM, Ph. D (in immunology) comments on antibody titers.

There is uncertainty about the use of an antibody titer to determine protection against disease because titer does not always equate to immunity. The continuing problem in vaccine development is just this. You may have heard of some of the results, for example, with development of an AIDS vaccine. Several have been made but when given to monkeys they produce titers but increase susceptibility to the virus.

Immunity is much more complex than simply titer production as several components are involved, including cellular immunity. It is just that titer is easiest to measure. However immunologists know that titer does not equate to immunity so they can't answer the question with confidence. The only way to determine that is field trials, and this is not commonly done, if ever. Vaccine manufacturers will test vaccines in animals for a few weeks, perhaps a few months, and then the trial is over. Of course when it is human beings, no challenges are done.

Two Experts in the field of immunization.

The following is information I have gotten from two experts in the field of immunization. I am sharing this with you all so you know what is out there for all veterinarians to know. If your veterinarian is not aware of this information, inform he or she of this information so they can help you with reducing the amount of vaccines your animals receive.

NEW VACCINATION PROTOCOL
by Dr. Jean Dodds

Note: All of the 27 Vet Universities in the US have followed the immunization protocol as suggested by Dr. Dodds for years

I would like to make you aware that all 27 veterinary schools in North America are in the process of changing their protocols for vaccinating dogs and cats. Some of this information will present an ethical & economic challenge to Vets, and there will be skeptics. Some organizations have come up with a political compromise suggesting vaccinations every 3 years to appease those who fear loss of income vs. those concerned about potential side effects. Politics, traditions, or the doctors' economic well-being should not be a factor in a medical decision.

NEW PRINCIPLES OF IMMUNOLOGY

Dogs' and cats' immune systems mature fully at 6 months. If a modified live virus vaccine is given after 6 months of age, it produces immunity, which is good for the life of the pet (i.e.,: canine distemper, parvo, feline distemper.) If another MLV vaccine is given a year later, the antibodies from the first vaccine neutralize the antigens of the second vaccine and there is little or no effect. The titer is not "boosted" nor are more memory cells induced. Not only are annual boosters for parvo and distemper unnecessary, they subject the pet to potential risks of allergic reactions and immune-mediated hemolytic anemia. There is no scientific documentation to back up label claims for annual administration of MLV vaccines. Puppies receive antibodies through their mother's milk. This natural protection can last 8 - 14 weeks. Puppies & kittens should NOT be vaccinated at LESS than 8 weeks. Maternal immunity will neutralize the vaccine and little protection (0-38%) will be produced. Vaccination at 6 weeks will, however, DELAY the timing of the first highly effective vaccine. Vaccinations given 2 weeks apart SUPPRESS rather than stimulate the immune system. A series of vaccinations is given starting at 8 weeks and given 3-4 weeks apart up to 16 weeks of age. Another vaccination given sometime after 6 months of age will provide LIFETIME IMMUNITY.

As for Rabies vaccine, it is a law that all dogs must be vaccinated according to each state. Currently all but two states require annual vaccines and all the rest will honor three-year vaccines. Write and call your local state animal control agencies and petition for acceptance of rabies titers in lieu of repeated vaccination for licensing.

What Every Veterinarian Should Know About Canine and Feline Vaccines and Vaccination Programs
- Ronald D. Schultz, PhD

As always, Dr. Schultz delivered an informative, provocative and important message to all attendees at the 2004 Conference.

General Principles

He began by reminding us that the original vaccinologists were all virologists. He then compared Innate or Natural Immunity which is nonspecific with Acquired or Adaptive Immunity which is specific. The former is present from birth, operates against any substance, and is not enhanced by prior exposure, whereas the latter is a defense mechanism, tailored to individual pathogens, and is enhanced by prior exposure. Age is related to innate immunity, as eventually there is immune senescence which plays a role in longevity. Vaccines sometimes enhance innate immunity, although they are designed to enhance acquired immunity. An example is the intranasal kennel cough vaccine, which is preferred over the parenteral version, as it stimulates innate immunity immediately.

In the presence of Protective Immunity, when re-infection occurs, the immune challenge agent(s) is recognized by pre-formed antibody and effector T-cells; rapid expansion and differentiation of the effector cells occurs; and the infectious agent(s) is removed. When Immunologic Memory is present, only mild or unapparent infection occurs; this protection may last a lifetime. Effector B-cells are plasma cells that live for at least 10 years and likely forever in the bone marrow. Sterile Immunity exists when there is no infection or unapparent re infection.

The endocrine and nervous systems are intimately interactive with the immune system, i.e. neuroendocrine system and immunity.

It was in 1978 that Ron Schultz and Fred Scott at Cornell first recommended triennial vaccination [Vet Clin N Am 8(4):755-768, 1978]. So it has taken 25 years for this recommendation to be adopted by veterinary scientists, industry, and mainstream veterinary medicine!

Cell-Mediated Immunity is not important in canine parvo virus (CPV) but very important in canine distemper virus (CDV) infections. In the presence of very low or no measurable immunity to CDV after appropriate vaccination, it is basically useless to revaccinate. Currently licensed CDV vaccines, including the recombinant (Merial) vaccine, produce excellent sustained immunity. He recommends giving MLV CDV vaccines twice, once before 12 weeks and once after 12 weeks of age, then every 3 years thereafter. For the recombinant vaccine, he recommends vaccination at 6, 8, and 12 weeks of age, then every 3 years thereafter.

Core Vaccines. These for dogs are distemper, parvovirus, adenovirus 2 (CAV-2), and rabies; for the cat, core vaccines are panleukopenia and rabies. The last dose of vaccine must be given at 12 weeks or older, and revaccination is given at 1 year of age or 1 year later. Non-Core Vaccines for dogs are Leptospirosis, Bordetella, Lyme , and canine parainfluenza vaccines; for cats, these are calicovirus and herpes (rhinotracheitis) viruses. Canine corona virus and Giardia vaccines are generally not recommended.

Duration of Immunity

The minimum duration of immunity (DOI) is 7-10 years for CDV, CPV-2, and CAV-2. Booster vaccination more than every 3 years offers no benefit. Two methods are used to measure DOI: disease agent challenge studies, and serology measurements. But, what is the DOI for natural infection for these important pathogens? The protection generated by MLV vaccines is equivalent to that of natural infection or disease. For killed vaccines, DOI is usually less and immunity is less complete. Recovery from disease is for life with CDV, CPV-2, and CAV-2.

CPV lives in the environment for years or more, whereas CDV is fragile and survives about 15 minutes in the naked state. With CDV exposure, one has up to 72 hours to vaccinate and still induce protection, but with CPV, one has only 72 minutes. In specific pathogen-free animals, vaccination against core agents lasts at least 4 ½ years.

After only 1 dose of rabies vaccine, DOI is 5-7 years based on serologic titers.

Pfizer's published study in January 2004 showed DOI of at least 4 years for their 5-way canine and 3-way feline vaccines. Schering Plough now guarantees their CDV, CPV, and CAV-2 vaccines for 3 years; their panleukopenia and FeLV vaccines are also guaranteed for 3 years. Fort Dodge recently showed 3--year protection after challenge studies for their CDV, CPV, and CAV-2 vaccines.

Miscellaneous

Feline Leukemia Vaccine. Recommends product by Fort Dodge or Schering Plough; 2 doses must be given 3 weeks apart, and preferably at 9 and 12 weeks of age. No measurable titers are typically found, and no more vaccines are needed for cats over 1 year of age as FeLV is not that contagious.

Lyme disease. Infection and disease seen mostly in northeast and around the Great Lakes region. Vaccination is generally not recommended except in high-risk areas, and then only the recombinant vaccine is recommended at the beginning of the tick season. [Generally good advice to avoid bacterin vaccines, whenever possible, as they are immune modulators (e.g. Lyme, Leptospirosis, and Bordetella parenterals; intranasal Bordetella is satisfactory).]

Leptospirosis Vaccine. As a zoonotic disease, there is concern about contagion with leptospira spp. However, vaccination does not prevent against shedding of the organism, so it is not protective of others. Even 2 vaccinations and annual boosters will not adequately protect against re-infection, because of the short-lived immunity induced (several months). Hypersensitivity reactions to leptosirosis vaccines (Type I hypersensitivity) are long-lived, and can be recalled acutely even after 4 years. Many dogs now have measurable titers against L. bratislava and L. autumnalis, but they do not have disease unless titers are in the thousands and clinical signs are present. Serovars of leptospira spp. cross-react, especially with L. grippotyphosa, L. pomona , L. canicola, and L. icterohemorrhagiae.

Kennel Cough Vaccines. In 5,000 dogs studied in shelters, it made no difference which vaccines were given, as some dogs still got kennel cough. Upper respiratory infection is endemic in most pounds and shelters because of the crowding, poor ventilation, and variable hygiene. Kennel cough vaccines are basically useless, as natural immunization is ubiquitous.

Recombinant Vaccine. Good for use in shelters as are more likely to overcome maternal immunity. CDV recombinant can boost immunity rapidly in 90% of cases, whereas MLV CDV can do so in only about 10%. Excellent antibody titers are produced to the rCDV product, and they don't cause immunosuppression like MLV vaccines. Merial's recombinant CDV vaccine should be given at 6, 8, and 12 weeks of age , and then 3 years later. A question remains about the induction of autoimmune disease with recombinant vaccines, although hypersensitivity reactions should not occur. Naked DNA vaccines are being developed, as the next stage of vaccinology.

Horses. Generally, equine vaccines perform poorly (give one year or no immunity). Must ignore information about dogs, cats, and humans when dealing with horse vaccines. Even the newer equine influenza vaccine gives immunity for only about 11 months. Equine herpes vaccines are lousy, giving immunity for only 2-3 months in attempting to prevent herpes abortion, but these vaccines should never be given to pregnant mares, despite common recommendation to do so.

Tetanus vaccines produce good 3-year immunity. For West Nile Virus (WNV) vaccine, 2 doses are given 2-3 weeks apart at 6 months of age, but duration is only about 6 months. The newer WNV vaccines give 11-12 months immunity.

Vaccine Non-Responders or Poor Responders. The estimated frequency of these low responders is 1:1000-1:10,0000, and is genetically determined. It more likely occurs with CPV than CDV (10 times less) or CAV-2 (100 times less) vaccines, especially in Dobermans and Rottweilers, although most of these bloodlines have died off now. Non-responders to one vaccine are unlikely to be non-responders to another vaccine agent.

Summary provided by W. Jean Dodds, DVM

Here are some excellent web sites to learn more about vaccines and their dangers to you and your animals.

Vaccination Information

http://www.vaccines.net/newpage114.htm This site is dedicated to the promotion of safer immunization practices through the application of scientific principles to vaccine research. The web site highlights research into the long term effects of vaccines and discusses potential harmful effects of vaccines.

http://adventuresinautism.blogspot.com Here is a site where you can read about autism and vaccines discussed. Please share this will all you know and ask them to do the same. Vaccines are dangerous.

http://www.earthclinic.com/Pets/vaccination_side_effects.html Here is a site where you can read the words of pet caregivers who have reported adverse reactions to vaccines in their individual pets.

http://www.vaccinationnews.com/mission_statement.htm A great site to learn about vaccine issues in children, autism and Shaken baby syndrome, etc.

http://www.nmaseminars.com/index.html Dr. Sherri Tenpenny, DO's great site on vaccine awareness and other issues facing Americans on the health care they are exposed to.

http://www.dogsadversereactions.com/scienceVaccineDamage.html Purdue University study on the production of Autoantibodies by vaccines in dogs against including fibronectin, laminin, DNA, albumin, cytochrome C, cardiolipin and collagen.

www.thinktwice.com Global Vaccine Institute on the historical facts on the dangers of vaccinations.

truthaboutvaccines
Truth about vaccines, is a web site to give information on the potential dangers to vaccinations.

YourPurebredpuppy.com
Find out how many vaccinations your dog really needs if any. The guidelines have changed, but many veterinarians aren't telling you that. Get current information on how vaccines really work and their potential dangers to the health of your pet. Quotes by many of Dr. Blake's fellow alternative practitioners from around the country.

Nation Vaccine Information Center
Dispelling vaccination Myths, is a site to give information on the history of vaccinations and the warnings you should be aware of for yourself and animals.

www.vaclib.org
Vaccination Liberation site for establishing individual's right to not vaccinate.

www.vaccinationnews.com
Vaccination News is an excellent site to keep current on the serious problems with vaccines and what you can do to help.

http://www.nccn.net/~wwithin/flu.htm Check out Dr. Sherri Tenpenny's web site on the facts about flu vaccines. She has  other links on the subject of the cover up and dangers of vaccinations in humans. 

http://www.nccn.net/~wwithin/vaccine.htm

http://www.whale.to/vaccines.html

An excellent research site on the risks of vaccines to children
http://www.healing-arts.org/children/vaccines/index.htm#return

Vaccines: Mercury, Autism and Chronic Disease
http://www.mothering.com/articles/growing_child/vaccines/genetic_link.html

A very comprehensive and extensive section on vaccines
http://www.healing-arts.org/children/vaccines/index.htm#return

HISTORICAL FACTS EXPOSING THE DANGERS AND INEFFECTIVENESS OF VACCINES
http://www.vaccinationdebate.com/web2.html

"When you hear fear knocking at your door, ask Faith to open it and no one will be there." That is what I say to my clients when they are having a problem deciding what to do based on fear.

Dr. Blake and his pilot after flying at 6000+ feet over Kauai.

"Fly high with your faith and do not let fear get in the way of your dreams."

All I ask for providing this service is that you  pay forward the information on my web site to three other lists or friends and ask them to do the same.

OAO,

Dr. Stephen R. Blake