'Nosodes' are no substitute for vaccines.

A growing antivaccine movement in Canada and elsewhere is hearing more about an unproven homeopathic therapy, 'nosodes', as an alternative to routine vaccines. The present statement defines nosodes and describes limitations for their use in children. There is scant evidence in the medical literature for either the efficacy or safety of nosodes, which have not been well studied for the prevention of any infectious disease in humans. Recommendations to change the labelling on these products to reflect such limitations are made.