Vaccinations: A Naturopathic Introduction

Choosing how, and whether, to vaccinate your child is one of the difficult decisions facing new parents. This class is for expectant parents or new parents who want to be more informed about childhood immunizations.

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Class Topics

This class will include a thorough introduction to the diseases against which children are routinely vaccinated. You will be introduced to the theory of vaccination; including how vaccination decreases your child’s chance of getting a specific infectious disease. We will also talk briefly about what defines individual and community “health” from a naturopathic perspective.

Next we will cover the basics. What causes each disease? How common is it? Which kids are most at risk? How is it transmitted? What are the symptoms and possible complications of each? How is the disease treated? We will then talk about the vaccine itself, including the standard schedule, effectiveness, side effects, ingredients (including thimerisol) and some of the controversies and case reports surrounding each specific vaccine.

In addition to your class packet, resources will be recommended, including books and reliable web sites as well as print materials from the department of health. We will discuss legal vaccination requirements. The goal of this class is to provide you with the knowledge you need to make informed decisions about vaccinations for your child.

Logistics

This 2 hour class is held six times a year at the Parent Trust classroom in the Rainier neighborhood of Seattle.

It's OK to bring babies, but we ask that you take baby from the room if s/he is making happy noises or sad noises.

Our Instructor

This class is taught by Molly Gray ND, LM, a naturopathic physician and licensed midwife practicing in the Maple Leaf neighborhood of Seattle. Dr. Gray specializes in women’s health and pediatrics.