There are very rare instances of severe reactions or even death following the usual Infant inoculations. Although such. events are rare, we need. to do all we can to prevent them. Animal observations have shown that the blood histamine concentration is increased following the injection, of vaccines or toxoids and this is most likely responsible for the problems. Vitamin C supplementation is now known to reduce the blood histamine levels; it also reduces the mortality- rates following inoculations, both in animals and in man.

It is suggested that inoculations should not be given to severely debilitated infants and that supplementary vitamin C should be given in orange juice, before inoculation, to any infant with coryza, and also to any infant or adult who is to receive an unduly large number of inoculations at one time.

Moreover, vitamin C should be given by injection, whenever convulsions or other untoward events occur within a day or two after vaccination or inoculation.