Mandatory Vaccination: Trouble for Ailing Animals?

I have long believed that ailing animals should not be vaccinated. Vaccines stimulate the immune system. When the immune system is involved with chronic disease, further stimulation of the immune system through vaccination can be dangerous to the animal's health.

There is much debate in the animal health community as to whether over-vaccination may actually cause sickness and disease in pets. In the book, "The Nature of Animal Healing" Dr. Martin Goldstein claims that the historical correlation between vaccines and disease suggests that vaccines may have done as much to precipitate disease as to prevent it.

Based on my experience and other like opinions, I believe veterinarians should have the right to deem an animal unfit for vaccination if the animal suffers from acute or chronic disease. An individual veterinarian should be able to issue a certificate of exemption from rabies vaccination which could then be used to license the animal.

I have supported legislation in Connecticut to advance this position. I encourage you to work with your state's legislature to give veterinarians this discretionary authority in the health interest of your pets.