Vaccines Without Illusions: Pros and Cons

Introduction

Vaccination and vet visits have long become an integral part of modern pet ownership. It all seems logical: science, schedules, protocols... And yet, I suddenly feel incredibly old. Because I remember a time when everything was different.

As a child, I would bring a kitten home from the street, and my mother’s first reaction was to bathe it in a decoction of tansy. To get rid of fleas — both for us and for the little one. Then the kitten would eat from our table, salt and spices included, beg for food from our plates, and only afterward touch its own. We would laugh. It grew up beautiful, healthy, and lived to a respectable feline age. No vaccines, no vets. Just care, attention, food — and life.

By education I’m a human medic, but when I began working with cats, my childhood memories started pulling me in a different direction. Perhaps because my grandmother was known as a “herbalist” — that’s what they called those in the village who healed with herbs and prayer. While my parents earned a living, I spent my childhood with her, soaking up knowledge that — oh, horror! — actually worked. Even in cases where pills didn’t help.

This shaped my attitude: I don’t take anyone’s word for it — I verify. I search. I ask questions. That’s why this guide on vaccination is not a monologue, but a dialogue. It presents two viewpoints. One — the official position, used by veterinarians. The other — an alternative one, also based on research and logic. Not whispered by grandma at the garden gate, but grounded in facts you won’t find in most scientific publications — facts that I dug up and carefully selected for you.

I’m not asking you to believe me or anyone else. I’m simply inviting you to read both perspectives. And to make your own choice — with clarity, care, and an understanding that your pet’s health is not a schedule, but a living, evolving system.

Vaccines: Basic Understanding and Common Mistakes

Why are two vaccines given?The first vaccine is given to trigger the production of M-class antibodies — they act fast and aggressively, but are short-lived. The second vaccine is needed to stimulate the creation of memory antibodies, which provide longer-lasting protection.

Timing mistakes

Too short an interval.If only two weeks pass between the shots — for example, due to urgency before rehoming — the body may not complete the first immune response. The second dose overlaps with the first, and the result may be unstable.

Too long a gap.If more than five weeks pass between doses — perhaps due to a reaction to the first or other reasons — the effect is weakened. This is especially critical if the kitten appeared lethargic or unwell after the first injection.

Reactions to the First Vaccine and Possible Causes

3–5 days after vaccination, some kittens may show temporary fatigue, loss of appetite, or seem generally down. This is not anaphylaxis (which is rare and occurs immediately), but rather a delayed immune response to hidden internal triggers.

What may be activated: – E. coli– Staphylococcus (especially intermedius)– Fungal flora

For example, staphylococcus may present with symptoms like light crusting around the eyes, swelling, and decreased playfulness. It often becomes active alongside fungal infections, and both components should be treated together.

🧬 Why can something “surface” after vaccination?

Even the healthiest kitten’s body is a complex ecosystem. It is not sterile. Inside, you will always find:• residual microorganisms inherited from ancestors,• conditionally pathogenic bacteria and fungi,• dormant viruses,• parasite larvae coexisting peacefully within the host.

When a vaccine is introduced, the immune system activates and starts a full-body check. It may detect “tenants” that previously caused no issues. This can trigger a surge in activity: temporary inflammation, reduced appetite, fatigue.It’s not an illness or a complication — it’s a cleanup. The immune system is reassessing boundaries.

Why doesn’t this happen to everyone?

Because:• some organisms handle the stress with no problem,• others receive the vaccine during a stressful period — rehoming, travel, separation from the mother — which complicates adaptation.

Each body is unique, and reactions always arise from an interplay of individual factors.

When Is the Best Time to Vaccinate?The official schedule recommends giving the first vaccine at 9 weeks of age.But an alternative opinion suggests: the later — the gentler on the body.

A kitten’s immune system before 12 weeks is in a phase of “learning” and development. Intervening during this period creates extra strain. So if there’s an option to delay vaccination until 5–6 months — when the body has strengthened and adapted — it can be a more respectful choice.This approach often helps avoid unpredictable reactions and minimizes metabolic stress.

Do Kittens Need to Stay in the Cattery Until They’re Vaccinated?No. A vaccine is not a required “ticket to leave.”Health is built through:• complete nutrition,• a clean and stable environment,• observation and attention,• strong liver and gut function,• stress-free adaptation.

If a kitten had all that in their birth home, they can confidently move to a new home at 8 weeks — and continue developing there, given proper care and awareness.

This Is Not a Debate — It’s a ChoiceVaccination is not a battleground. It’s a decision space.Some follow the “9-week” model. Others opt for delayed vaccination.Both approaches are valid — if based on knowledge and mindful observation.The key is to choose what suits the age, breed, and physiology of the individual animal.

Unique Traits of Long-Bodied Breeds and Maine CoonsLong-bodied breeds — especially Maine Coons — have a different metabolism.These cats grow like their wild cousins: lions, lynxes — slowly, up to 3.5 years.Most other breeds finish growing by 9 months.

This affects not only metabolism but also how their bodies respond to interventions — including vaccines.

Standard vaccination schedules were created for “average” cats.But Maine Coons develop differently: more slowly, more gradually.As a result, early vaccination can trigger unpredictable responses — especially if done during rehoming, transport, or environmental change.

Early vaccination in such kittens can be like “cutting into growth”: it may affect the development of immune, digestive, and even skeletal systems.This is why their schedule should be based not on a chart — but on biology.

ConclusionIf you have a slow-developing breed (Maine Coons, Orientals, Singapuras, Rex-type cats)…If your kitten has just moved to a new home…If you want to avoid suppressing a system still forming…

Then sometimes the wisest decision is to wait.The body will remember.The immune system will catch up.And the kitten will thank you — with a stronger, wiser response in the future.

There Is Another Perspective — Also ScientificThe world is evolving, and so is science. More and more experts are beginning to ask: is mass vaccination of companion animals truly the only path?There are studies, data, and practices offering a different lens — not based on conspiracy theories, online myths, or folk tales, but on biology, immunology, and clinical observations.

We invite you to explore this alternative viewpoint — calmly, without pressure, and without dogma.Because knowledge is power.And everyone deserves the right to choose a path that matches their logic and lived experience.

Historical ContextIn the 19th century, Louis Pasteur developed the theory that gave rise to the entire concept of vaccination: disease is caused by microbes, so introducing a weakened microbe into the body helps build immunity.However, toward the end of his life, Pasteur admitted that it’s not the microbe that matters most — but the condition of the terrain in which it multiplies.His famous line: “The microbe is nothing, the terrain is everything” still resonates today.

And indeed, for thousands of years before vaccines, animals survived just fine.Even now, with a strong immune system and proper care, a healthy body can resist most pathogens on its own.

What the Research ShowsScientists working outside the pharmaceutical protocol model have observed that:• Vaccination bypasses the body’s natural immune barriers and can overload or distort the response.• Some vaccines contain aluminum, formaldehyde, and other substances that are not harmless.• After vaccination, animals are increasingly diagnosed with autoimmune diseases, allergies, chronic inflammation, and even behavioral issues.• Revaccination (boosters) is often unnecessary — many vaccines provide immunity for years or even a lifetime.

Studies They Don’t Like to Quote• Ronald Schultz, Ph.D., one of the leading veterinary immunologists in the U.S., demonstrated that immunity against panleukopenia, canine distemper, and parvovirus can last 7 years or more after a single dose.• In Current Veterinary Therapy XI, scientists Tom Phillips and Ron Schultz stated outright:“Annual revaccination has no scientific basis.”• In 1995, the American Veterinary Medical Association confirmed that viral vaccines offer long-term protection.

Possible RisksVaccines are a medical intervention — and like all interventions, they come with potential risks:• Development of autoimmune conditions (e.g., gingivitis, dermatitis, arthritis);• Destabilization of the immune system, leading to chronic disease;• Injection-site fibrosarcomas (aggressive tumors);• Neurological issues, including seizures, anxiety, and behavioral changes.

So How Can We Protect Without Vaccines?The answer is not fear — it’s strengthening natural defense mechanisms:• High-quality food and clean, filtered water;• Support for liver, gut, and microbiota;• A clean environment and limited exposure to infection sources;• Use of homeopathic nosodes, herbal immune boosters, and detox support as needed;• Mindful observation of stool, mucosa, and behavior — with early action, not panic.

What’s Truly Mandatory?In the United States, only the rabies vaccine is legally required — because rabies poses a public health risk.All other vaccinations are recommended but not mandatory.And each owner has the right to make decisions based on their pet’s individual situation.

Final ThoughtsImmunity is a delicate, finely-tuned system.It develops over time — and thrives when supported, not pressured.

Vaccination can be helpful in some contexts — but it should not be the default.We are not here to promote or oppose.We are here to support informed, conscious decision-making.

Understanding the mechanisms, risks, and alternatives gives every pet owner the power to care for their animal — with intelligence, compassion, and deep respect for life.