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It seems as though lately in my friends group it has become quite a hot topic. Many people believe that you should always vaccinate, because that’s what has always been done, or because their doctor said they should, because their mother said they should, or they have done research and think it’s best for them. Then there is the other side who view vaccinations as an outdated and uneducated choice. They believe we are unaware of long term effects of vaccines, that there is a declining risk of the types of infections that vaccines are created for, because everyone has been getting these vaccines for years, and that the dangers out way the risks.
What side do you stand on? Or are you somewhere in the middle?
I am somewhere in the middle. I won't blindly trust my doctor however s/he is a professional doctor for a reason. I also won't believe every article published that I read.
The one I will stand by is that your child, your choice. But if your choice of vaccinating or not vaccinating your child means if they get a sickness then by being near MY child gets them sick. Then it's MY business.
I think if your child is going to school or be around other kids routinely then s/he should be vaccinated against any sickness/disease that is contagious.
I will definitely vaccinate. In my opinion, the pros outweigh the cons. I chose to not get vaccinated before traveling to India two years ago (for quite a few reasons, but mainly because there wasn't much time left so I didn't have enough time for those vaccines that required multiple doses spread over a few months) and I was worried the entire time we were there that I would contract a disease. I didn't, but I felt nervous about it. I honestly cannot fathom not vaccinating future children and having them contract a horrible disease. I know there are so many people so passionate about this topic on both sides, but I don't think I will ever change my mind on this issue. Anxious to hear what others think, though!
Look, I've never been pregnant so I cannot pretend to understand how protective a parent feels for his/her child. I see the vaccination backlash comes from a good place, wanting to do what is best for your child. BUT when you don't vaccinate your child you put other people's children at risk. Some children cannot be vaccinated due to immune disorders (among other things) and they depend on other parents vaccinating to insulate their child. Also, that autism - vaccine study has been torn down time and time again.
DH and I have discussed and we will be vaccinating our kids.
We've been choosing to immunize on schedule.
I have to say it was harder than I thought to mentally go and take her to get shots. I'm an immunologist and have done a bit of vaccine research at the bench, more on the development of cancer vaccines than on any current vaccine, but it's helped me do a lot of reading on vaccine studies and I've never had a doubt that we'd be vaccinating. But thinking about your sweet baby getting a shot is nerve wrenching even when you aren't worried about a lot of the vaccine skeptism. But for us the thought of shots was a lot worse than the reality thankfully.
My oldest daughter is fully vaccinated. My 5 week old isn't yet since they don't start them till 2 months. I will be super pissed if my baby gets whooping cough etc because some parent fails to vaccinate their kid. People don't seem to care that it is not just their own child they put at risk.
We vaccinted DS up until his 12mth shots and then held off until it was time to start school. I never had a problem with watching him having to get them or anything like that... but after some shallow research decided that holding off would be less harmful than some of the potential risks of not.
Considering my experience with, working with, and research of the medical community in my area with pediatrics and maternal care over the last 7 years I definitley will not be trusting my doctor. They over medicate WAY too much and are very much so about the pharmacutical breaks they get.
We haven't fully decided what vaccines we'll be giving our new lo if any... but I just no longer trust the medical or pharmacutical community to be totally for the benefit of the patient.
I have lots of research ahead of me, as I hear that some vaccines aren't as bad as others (I know how they're stored is one factor & another being that some are made from aborted babies or something like that) and that it's also dependent upon what is given with what, etc....
ETA: I just wanted to add that I think a major issue is the fact that there is SOOO much change in the brain in the first 5 years of life that we tend to really do alot that can adversely affect that. I know kids that are on pyschiatric drugs for emotional disorders and are in stinking grade school. That and the research given/provided to our FDA is primarily from the pharmaceuticals themselves. Just something that I'm not comfortable trusting someone elses word on when they're getting a paycheck out of it.
A lot of places require vaccinations. When I volunteered at the hospital, I had to have proof of all the usual vaccinations. When my FI started paramedic school, he had to bring proof of vaccinations. I'm not sure if these places can completely deny anyone who hasn't been vaccinated on those grounds, does anyone know? Because that would be pretty limiting for a kid who doesn't have the vaccinations.
@galloway111: You can get waivers for schools regarding vaccinations from a doctor. Many religions do not allow vaccinations. A waiver does not have to state why a child was not vaccinated according to HIPAA
All of my children will be fully vaccinated on schedule. It protects not only them but the people around them who can't get vaccinated (too young to get them yet, immune disorders, allergies to a vaccine, etc). Herd immunity is hugely important at keeping these disease at bay. Look at what is happening now with Whooping Cough. IMO, the pros hugely outweigh the cons.
Immunology/Virology/Epidemiology and the spread of diseases is actually a huge interest of mine (if I didn't want to be a SAHM, I'd probably go back to and get a masters in one of them or a more general Masters in Public Health).
We will fully vaccinate on schedule. It's way too important in my opinion. And I will limit the exposure of my newborn to unvaccinated children that I'm aware of (like my nieces) until my children begin each series. It's a luxury in our country to have vaccines that many other countries don't have and suffer for.
We're planning on vaccinating but I'm worried about our baby being around other kids who haven't been- especially my 3 nephews (who are all under 4). I'm not sure how that works with the schedule of things they are vaccinated for but I know I'm definitely going to have this discussion with my pediatrician. Fortunately we don't live super close to my SIL & BIL but we will obviously see them at family and holiday gatherings. I don't want to start any kind of debate with them over this topic (they are very confident in their own "research) but I'm not sure how it won't be awkward to say that I don't want their kids around my baby.
I think the biggest issue is just that parents are educating themselves on this issue. It doesn't matter the choice you make as long as you believe you're making the best choice for yourself and your child - from an INFORMED standpoint.
I am just starting my research now, so I won't debate it, but I'm defintiely leaning towards NOT vaccinating. I heard a good book on the topic is The Vaccination Book by Dr. Sears, there are a lot of good ones at the library. I'll have to ask my sister for recommendations because she just had her baby, so she has already researched the issue.
good luck making the decision for yourself!
I would vote for the first option in your poll, but I voted other because not ony are vaccinations important for YOUR children, they're important for EVERYONE ELSE'S, too. Too many babies die of whooping cough because their older siblings' playmates weren't vaccinated and passed it on to them (prior to the infant being able to be vaccinated against it). Too many younger children suffer long-term consequences (and even death) due to completely preventable diseases (ex. mental retardation following encephalopathy because of measles, sterility because of mumps, etc.), either because their parents didn't vaccinate them, or because they were too young to get the vaccine and someone else's parents decided not to vaccinate. Herd immunity is extremely important to keeping our children safe!
I'm in nursing school about to go through about a million vaccinations because my parents didn't follow up after I was a certain age. That being said, I'm in the middle. I would definitley educate yourself, but also talk to different doctor's to see what they think.
@miss-spunkin: Just so you know, Dr. Sears advocates vaccination, just on a different schedule.
I am most certainly in the camp of "I will do my research, and then choose ONLY the ones I feel would be best for my child."
They will get a few, but not all of them.
@miss-spunkin: On "Dr." Spears: http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/index.php/cashing-in-on-fear-the-danger-of-dr-sears/ & "Dr Sears bases his recommendation to delay the measles vaccine (thereby necessitating splitting the MMR) on a 1998 study reported in The Lancet, by Dr Wakefield suggesting that persistent measles virus in the intestine may be the trigger for autism, citing an association between the two entities." (source: http://peoriapediatrics.com/page50/page90/page327/page327.html) This study (and the "scientist" who conducted it) have both been thoroughly debunked themselves.
The initial "link" between autism and vaccinations was made by a corrupt, fraudulant doctor using scientifically invalid research procedures. The study was retracted and Wakefield lost his medical license. There has never been another study that showed an link between autism and vaccines. These are facts.
The view that these are vaccinations against "old" diseases that are no longer problematic is just flat out wrong. There have been major outbreaks of measles, pertussis, etc. Babies and others who cannot be fully immunized are put at risk because parents listen to a fraudulant doctor and Jenny McCarthy.
Everyone makes their own choices when it comes to raising their kids. Where I have an issue with non vaccination of kids is that another parent's choice can affect my child. Whooping cough is a major problem at the moment and it KILLS babies. These babies are too young to have full immunisation, they depend on herd immunity to protect them. By not immunising you are asking other parents to carry part of the risk for your choices.
The pp who weren't sure what to say to relatives with unvaccinated kids - " I'm sorry but I can't expose my baby to that risk. As a parent I am sure you can respect my decision and understand that this is a consequence when you decided not to vaccinate".
A pp said they would be pissed if their baby caught whooping cough - terrified, devastated, scared to death would be closer to the mark for me.
My daughter is fully vaccinated, but I chose to space out her vaccinations. I hadn't even heard of Dr. Sears at the time I decided that, it just seemed like SO much for a little body to handle. She never had 4 at a time or a "super shot" or anything like that. People said don't vaccinate her, it causes autism and I said "I'd rather have an autistic child than a dead one."
The National Academy of Sciences recently released a comprehensive report on vaccinations & adverse effects for those who are interested: http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13164 (You can downlod it for free.)
If you need information on topics like this, going to sources like NAS and NIH are the best options for accurate, non-biased facts and recommendations. Too many parents do their "research" by watching Oprah and listening to Jenna McCarthy...
@Jenniphyr: I haven't read the book myself. I loved his Pregnancy book, Attachment Parenting book and The Baby Book. I've only heard good things about it, which is what I said. I haven't read it yet, I still will, but of course will form my own opinion on it.
@beekiss: Have you liked any of his other books though? I found his other books very information and interesting.
oh, and just in case anyone thought for some reason that I believed it, I didn't say anything about believing there is a correlation between autism and vaccinations - like I said, I haven't researched the issue enough.
I will have my future kids get most vaccines, but I'll space them out. My vet won't even give my dogs more than 2 vaccines in a visit, if they need more than that we come back in 2 weeks for the rest. He does that to not overload their system and if there is a reaction it's easier to tell what caused it. I am NOT going to give my child 5, 6, 7, or 9 vaccines in one visit. Do they really give those all at one visit?! I'm looking at the CDC chart: http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/recs/schedules/downloads/child/0-6yrs-schedule-pr.pdf
Some vaccines we probably postpone for a few years. (Like Hep A & B)
It's definitely a subject I will research more in-depth if/when I get pregnant.
Yes, she will be vaccinated. I know one thing, one of these unvaccinated kids better not give her anything or I'll be effin pissed. If they aren't vaccinated, they shouldn't be near children anyway, not in a school,daycare,etc.
I will also immunize my child(ren), probably on the recommended schedule, although there is a chance I may decide to space things out a bit. I will also request anyone in contact with my un-immunized child, have their immunizations up to date. I think it might ruffle some feathers when I request that other people be immunized, but my child, my choice.
I did pediatric nursing and pretty much majored in vaccines with my job. We will vaccinate. If we adopt a newborn I will be going by a different schedule though bc I'm not ok with the amount the are given in the beginning. I believe in vaccines bc there are now outbreaks of whooping cough and even measles have been reported. The pros outweigh the cons for me.
@miss-spunkin: I don't mind his other books. In fact I have "The Pregnancy Book" and "The Baby Book" in my little library (my collection of books I have purchased but need to read). I agree with some of his ideas like co-sleeping and pro-breastfeeding, not the whole AP philosophy though b/c there are some zealots that have turned me off to the "movement" which is off-topic, I apologize.
However, I have a problem with his idea of vaccinations. For reference, I understand there are several Dr. Sears, the father and then two sons (I think?). I think one of the sons capitalized on the fear of vaccinations and I don't agree with the hysteria associated with vaccinations. By and large, vaccinations have benefited us. Yes, there are a small percentage of children that suffer reactions to vaccinations and perhaps spacing them out within a few weeks is more appropriate but spacing them out over several years I have an issue with especially since we live in a very mobile world and many children go to daycare. I think I read that he suggests pushing/spacing vaccines back 6-18 months, I'm not sure how he came up with this suggestion (what research studies)?
Not sure if any of you ladies have heard about this but there have been studies that have shown since around the same time that vaccines came around (yes that long ago) that Vit C in high therapeutic dosages is a great defense AND treatment for ALL of the diseases we vaccinate for, including others that we don't. It's safe, effective, & can't line the pockets of any one person since it cannot be patented like pharmaceutical drugs. I'm not saying that the point of vaccines isn't one that doesn't comes from... Or moreso started from genuinely wanting the best treatment & prevention for patients BUT maybe there's a better & safer way that we just aren't told about bc there's no money in it. *shrugs shoulders* (note: this is not to start debate, just to bring some possibly unknown info on the matter) =)
My mother has been a nurse for 25 yrs (and highly respected everywhere she has been) and does not believe in vaccinations. From what I have researched, I would not give them to any future children. Also, she has told me that from her extensive experience, she has never been asked for proof of vaccinations and that public schools are the only ones that require it. I'd trust her expertise over propaganda that has little basis in fact.
@Ms Mini: You do realize that in school you will never know which children aren't and which children are. You can make demands to know, but it is against the law for any school or daycare to tell you, if they are even aware.
@amnystik: it always amazes me how different we are and how many things we agree on
@mwitter80: You might note that I speficied that I would not allow contact "with my un-immunized child" and that I plan to immunize on or near schedule. So this limitation would only be in place until the child was immunized (at 2 months of age). The people effected would be pretty much family and friends only.
My son got all his vaccines and at the ages suggested... I don't however trust his doctor and I always have the final say in vaccines (after I read about them) because every single winter he tries to give my son a flu shot but he's allergic to eggs. His doctor then tries to have me take him to the allergist to get his flu shot done =( he seems to have forgotten the serious reaction my son had after another egg based shot he had when he was 1 year old. My son was in the hospital for 3 days. I refuse to risk it and he always gives me problems because of it.
I don't believe in flu shots for adults either though but that's a different story.
@Ms Mini: Same here, I said as soon as my children begin their series, which would hopefully be around 2-3 months.
Vaccinations have basically ERADICATED many, many, many diseases. Enough said.
At the same time, I had a negative reaction to the HPV vaccine (as have many others), and would not be eager to elect that one for another person. It is also not as comprehensive or as vital as one for measles, mumps, etc
@rockoko: hmm I never got the HPV vaccine... I had a terrible reaction to the Hep B vaccine though so they only gave me 2 shots instead of 3.
@amnystik: could you provide links to any of these studies that show that high dose vitamin C can prevent smallpox, hepatitis, measles, rubella, mumps, diptheria, polio, tetanus, pertussis, varicella, cholera, etc?
As for the vaccines "made from aborted babies", the information provided in "Immunisation Myths and Realities: responding to arguments against immunisation" published by the Australian Dept. of Health says the following:
"Certain cell lines (human diploid cell lines WI-38 and MRC-5) originated from fetal tissue obtained from three elective abortions indicated for medical reasons in the 1960s. These cell lines have been growing under laboratory conditions for more than 40 years. There has been no further tissue obtained from fetuses since the 1960s. Abortions have not been conducted specifically for the purpose of harvesting cell lines."
Anyway...
I believe that immunisation is the most important public health intervention available to us.
It is ignorant to say that there is no point in immunising because we've all but eradicated many diseases through vaccines. If that were the case then there would not have been an outbreak of measles in NSW (Australia) in April this year, nor outbreaks of whooping couch/pertussis across multiple states in 2009.
I also do not belive that "we don't know the long term side effects" is a valid argument, but I won't even go there.
Some individuals are legitimately unable to receive vaccinations; they are protected from contracting potentially life-threatening diseases by herd immunity.
People used to die from these diseases. Now they don't have to.
*Steps off soap box*
If anyone is interested in reading a well written position paper, with peer-reviewed references, that discusses the myths and realities of immunisation, then I would really encourage you to start here http://www.health.gov.au/internet/immunise/publishing.nsf/content/uci-myths-guideprov
Of course, at the end of the day it is a choice whether or not to vaccinate, and I respect that. In making that choice though, it is important to be fully informed. Reading internet message boards and anti-vaccination websites does not count as research.
*Really steps down off soap box this time...*
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