Nosodes are no substitute for vaccines

Question 1

What are the three evolutions in public health?

Answer 1

• Hand hygiene
• Antibiotics
• Vaccination

Question 2

What are nosodes?

Answer 2

• Biological preparation used in homeopathic medicine to prevent disease
• Derived from an element of disease or from diseased tissue
• “A homeopathically prepared remedy made form an infectious disease product either directly from the bacteria/virus or a tissue purported to contain it

Question 3

What is the evidence for nosodes?

Answer 3

• 1997 murine model exposed mice to lethal dose of francisella tularensis; reduced time to death + modest decrease in mortality
• Opportunistic cohort study during leptospirosis epidemic in Cuba showed nosodes associated with reduced infection rates but multiple confounders
• Animal studies in murine model show longer survival in mice who received a nosode for plasmodium berghei

Question 4

Have nosodes been studied for prevention of infections in humans?

Answer 4

• Nosodes have not been studied for prevention of measles, mumps, rubella, diptheria, tetanus, polio or hepatitis B
• No scientific or medical evidence to suggest nosodes are effective in preventing infectious disease

Question 5

Current legislation states labelling of nosodes must include which statement?

Answer 5

“This product is not intended to be an alternative to vaccination”

Question 6

How does the CPS recommend nosode labelling should read?

Answer 6

“This product has not been proven to prevent infection. Health Canada advises that your child receive all routine vaccinations even if they take this product”