Vitamin C and Vaccines

     The issue of immunization is headline news today. There is no question that immunizations have saved thousands of lives. There is also no question that vaccines can cause injury. If this were not so the government would not have a Vaccine Injury Compensation Program.
In all the heated discussions and rhetoric no one mentions the role of nutrition and basic health in preventing problems when children are immunized.
     In the 1970's I had the opportunity to hear a presentation by Archie Kalokerinos. He explained that every second child he immunized in his medical practice in New South Wales died after the immunization. He learned that the infant formulas being fed these children did not contain adequate quantities of vitamin C. He began administering vitamin C to the children prior to immunization and infant deaths basically ceased.
Safety Testing
     Vaccines are tested on healthy individuals with very little in the way of problems. Immunization of individuals who are not well is probably a poor idea. It would also be a good idea is study the consequences of immunizing individuals with different nutrient deficiencies or marginal intake of nutrients like vitamin C. Immunizations do call forth an immune response which is dependent upon nutritional adequacy.
Vitamin C Deficiency
     Innis suggests that children of smokers and formula fed infants may be at particular risk of vitamin C deficiency increasing the risk of Barlow's disease and Shaken Baby Syndrome.
A recent study in the United Kingdom found 1 in 5 men and 1 in 9 women in low income groups deficient in vitamin C. A recent study in India found that only 10.8% of the population in the north and 25.9% in the south met the criteria for adequate vitamin C intake.
     Deficiency of vitamin C may not only increase the likelihood of contracting infectious diseases, but also increase the possibility of either side-effects from immunization or failure to achieve immunity after vaccination.
     The importance of some nutrients is generally recognized. Almost any medical professional is aware of the fact that vitamin A supplements greatly reduce the risk of death from measles when given to children under two years of age in third world countries.
Unfortunately, we tend to assume that all Americans are well-nourished, despite the fact that large numbers of people from the third world with little understanding of nutrition or basic sanitation have crossed our borders.
Nutrition is Protective
     Thomas Levy has written a paper on how vitamin C can reduce vaccination side effects and also improve vaccine effectiveness. He writes,"Rather than argue whether there is an infinitesimal, minimal, moderate, or significant amount of toxicity associated with the amounts of thimerosol or other potentially toxic components presently being used in vaccines, why not just neutralize whatever toxicity is present as completely and definitively as possible?" Levy believes vitamin C is a key nutrient to be used toward achieving this objective. Personally, I feel all the nutrients which compose the "chain of life" may potentially be important in this regard.
References:
Kalokerinos, Archie, Every Second Child, Keats Publishing, 1981.
Innis, Michael, Vaccines, apparent life-threatening events, Barlow's disease, and questions about "Shaken Baby Syndrome," Journal of American Physicians and Surgeons, Spring 2006; 11(1):17-19.
Ravindran, Ravilla, et al., Prevalence and risk factors for vitamin C deficiency in North and South India: A two centre population based study in people aged 60 years and over, PLOS One; 6(12):e28588.
Paper by Thomas Levy on vitamin C and immunization.