WHO rebukes homeopaths
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share thisThe World Health Organization on Friday denounced in unusually strong terms advice by a Swiss homeopathic doctors association that pregnant women should avoid getting vaccinated against swine flu.
The Swiss Society of Homoeopathic Physicians said pregnant women shouldn't take either of the two vaccines licensed in Switzerland - Novartis' Focetria and GlaxoSmithKline's Pandemrix - claiming the effects on mothers and their unborn children have been insufficiently studied.
"This (advice) may result in putting pregnant women and their fetuses at risk of severe consequences in case of pandemic influenza virus infection," said WHO vaccines chief Dr. Marie-Paule Kieny.
WHO considers Focetria and Pandemrix to be safe for pregnant women, Dr. Kieny said.
"We ... regret that the recommendation of the Swiss Society of Homoeopathic Physicians does not take WHO recommendations in this matter into consideration," she said.
Homeopathic doctors believe that highly diluted substances made from natural ingredients can be used to treat symptoms and cure diseases, despite lack of scientific evidence to that effect.
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