I'm gonna try and say little on this subject and sit on the fence (best way to watch the world go by and wave

)
Several points have been identified and I'd like to throw a few titbits into this bubbling cauldron.
Infant mortallity HAS gone down in the UK, even from as near as the beginning of the 20th Century.
Innoculation does NOT stop infection by a disease, it just gives your immune system the key signatures and building blocks to EFFECTIVELY fight a disease, thereby reducing the term and degree of symptoms and complications and subsequently reducing the period of infectious transference.
The debate on MMR innoculations, Combined,Single or non is complex and passionate on all sides, personal choice has to come into the situation as parents hope that their children will be healthy and do whatever they deem necessary to ensure that their children should maintain a healthy life (Within reason and great thought and contemplation should be made before any decision to change is made. Avoid knee jerk reactions and research the FACTS).
Cancer treatments are in the most pallitive medicine, invasive measures and radiotherapy being used to treat agressive cancers. Without these actions life expectancy on most patients would be severely reduced. I know that complementary medicines and a holistic approach CAn help but in severe cases when you find out you have got it it's treat it as quickly as possible ro you die, (personal experience, lost a friend due to secondary cancer, primary was lymphatic cancer in a man who had one of the healthiest lifestyles you could imagine.)
To achive an effective antibody level against certain diseases a particularly severe reaction to the illness is needed. Case point as example, Chicken pox and Shingles. (going out on a limb here as this is from personal experience and observation) The greater the reaction you get in your first contracting chickenpox the chances of re-occurance later in life, and subsequently suffing from shingles are reduced. Some people seem prone to multiple infection, I think we all know someone that had a light dose as a child and had it several times. I personally had a bad reaction, very high fever and delerium induced nightmares, became an outcast whilst the spots were apparent (Had spots in places I didn't even KNOW you could get spots! Don't ask!!!

). Never had problems since.
A healthy diet, adequate sleep, and adequate amounts of sunlight are all essentials of maintaining a healthy immune system, something that is usually lacking in a modern lifestyle. I'm not a big organic fan, but grow as many of the vegetables my family eat myself, without bought pesticides (Does washing up liquid count?).Stress and increases in nervous illness due to working in airconditioned, over heated, and inadequately lighted environments at home and at work (My personal hate is being inside under flourescent lights with airconditioning that only seems to make hot and cold areas in an office).
oh and did i mention the E word yet?...........
EXERCISE, something I think most of us on here know all too much about when you've been digging the garden over and picking that glut of fruit and veg we all seem to get lol.
Not amanging to sit on the fence much am I?
Here I go again.....
On a personal note:
with the new idea of innoculation against pneumonia, I can whole heartedly agree with this! 3 years ago iwas working on site in -3 conditions and thought I had a cold, did the usual, garlic, codliver oil, increased fruit intake especially citrus etc. 5 days later felt more like flu but as I was self employed carried on, after a total of 2 weeks from initially feeling ill I was delerious and on the friday I was sent to hospital with double pneumonia. if i hadn't litterally dragged myself to the doctors, and I mean litterally, I was told I would have been dead by the monday. The symptoms were not what i expected, painful and very dibilitating. also in that period I lost over 3 stone of weight. I wouldn't wish that illness on my children.
Well there is my 2 peneth over
Hope you all come to the conclusions you need to on the debate.
Just remember, we all look at things from different perspectives, and whilst ours might seem the right one, that doesn't negate anybody elses personal choice or ideas. It's an essential part of progress, without differing points of view and debate we would not be as rich or diverse a community.
Chris (And Helen by Default)