What is your opinion on vacinations for you baby? DId have it done?

Julie - posted on 04/26/2010

Request vaccines with out Mercury - yes MERCURY!
IT IS POISON, right?
Yes, it is used as a stabelizer and preservative in vaccines these days... HOW CAN IT BE LEGAL hmmm... wonder about the racing rate of Autism ...?
You can insist that your child be given a vaccination WITHOUT MERCURY -

Robyn - posted on 04/26/2010

Hi My name is Robyn I am the mum of 6 children.We chose not to vaccinate our children after I suffered a severe reaction after recieving my 'shots' to go nursing. I also stress please don't just take the doctor or cdcs (or your relevant drug authorities) word for their safety. No medical procedure is 100% safe. The contents of the vaccines with there peservatives and additives are not the sort of cocktail I would drink at any time let alone inject directly into my body. Healthy minds and bodies are always always our best defence. There are some great web sites Generation rescue being one. Follow the links to other sites. As a christian I also object to some of the vaccines being manufactured using aborted fetal tissue, renamed diploid cells. As a registered nurse I have seen enough to say that when the truth eventually becomes known about the damage this 'science' is doing there are going to be a lot of angry people. I have yet to see a true double blind study, or a non drug company backed study showing me the safety of the vaccine belief system. I have seen a lot of non reporting by Doctors of reactions, so question the safety stats entirely. Please look at complete graphs when researching, statistics have been around for a lot longer than vaccines and all diseases were in decline before the introducton of vaccines due to among other things our better and healthier lifestyles. My own children have played with others (who were vaccinated but caught the disease anyway) that were in hospital a couple of days later with life threatening Whooping Cough, yet ours had cold symptoms only. Again I believe absolutely in choice but believe good choices come from good education. If you decide to vaccinate do it slowly and singularly. Make sure your child is abolutely well before each shot. Clean air,clean water, clean food, happy mind and strong faith all play a huge part in our living. Bless you all as you endevour to do the best for your children.

Jessica - posted on 04/25/2010

Also, there is no proof that vaccinations cause autism.
Statistical correlation, yes. But think about it: autism--the milder forms--is most often diagnosed (and earlier) in families of the middle and upper class. Does this mean that the lower class does not have autistic children? No. All it means is that the middle and upper class are more likely to take their child in for a diagnosis, and usually more likely to be able to afford it.

Who is more likely to vaccinate their children? The middle and upper class. Does this mean that vaccinations cause autism? Or that those who vaccinate their children are also willing and able to take them in to child neuropsychiatrists? Autism is not always evident from birth. Many problems are not always evident from birth.

Until we find hard evidence, let's not vilify generally life-saving medicine.

Jessica - posted on 04/25/2010

My baby has had all the recommended vaccinations, and never a bad reaction of any sort.

I have to say this to everyone who is nervous about them--PLEASE vaccinate your children. These serious diseases are deadly. The widespread vaccination of populations has all but eliminated these diseases, yes, but ONLY in regions where the population has gained immunity to them. And this has only occurred through vaccinations. The diseases aren't gone. They're still around. If you don't give your child immunity to them, you run the risk of losing them. I'm serious.

Polio was all but eliminated from the United States. But within a few years of the "vaccination scares", enough parents had chosen to not vaccinate their children that the disease has once again reared its ugly head and is spreading. Other "childhood diseases" are joining in. In a society capable of protecting itself from such epidemics, this is an unacceptable reversal. It would be like dropping the use of anesthetics for surgical procedures because some people had a bad reaction to it.

When you are given an antibiotic, the doctor insists that the dosage be followed--i.e. take one pill twice daily for ten days or something like that. You do it, right? Why does the doctor insist? Because if you give bacteria/viruses time to adapt (by missing doses or stopping early), you'll be stuck with an antibiotic-resistant strain of the disease running amock in your system, and you'll pass it on to other people. That makes it harder to treat. Same with vaccinations. If we keep it out of people in the first place (prevention), we do not run the risk of these deadly diseases getting the chance to adapt to treatments and becoming deadlier. And some are not readily treatable in the first place. An ounce of treatment is worth a pound of cure.

I know that it is hard to not be worried as a parent. I worry a lot. But common sense does need to have its say. And common sense tells me to do my best to protect my child from polio, measles, mumps, rubella, dyptheria, typhoid fever, tetanus . . . these things maim and kill thousands of children (and adults) every year. Perhaps more than that. I do not want my children joining those statistics.

Gina - posted on 04/24/2010

My son actually has a disease caused by vaccinations. I also have a friend who's daughter got Autism from them...I knew the baby before and after, and watched the drastic change.

I think the concept is wonderful. The problem is that the drug companies put so many additives in them, making them harmful. There are also many statistics that show that the diseases in question dropped naturally on their own (before the vaccinations were introduced) and then increased again once we started vaccinating. Interesting.

Best wishes to you in your decision. I know it can be a difficult one to make.

Warm Regards,
Gina

Alyssa - posted on 04/24/2010

I am going to have my daughter vaccinated for things that are life threatening but not for things like the chicken pox. I think that is going a little overboard. I did not and will not give her the swine flu shot. There is not enough research done on it and there have been too many problems with it. I think every parent has to weigh the risks with the benefits of any vaccine.

Angie - posted on 04/24/2010

I was going to go the alternative vaccination route with my twin girls who are now 6 months but decided against it mostly because not every doctors office will carry the exact type of ingredients in the vaccination that this book I read talks about. Needless to say, I have done all the vaccinations and we have not had any bad reactions. I am still a little nervous about the MMR at 1 year of age though and hopes they will have the vaccination split apart by then.

Tiffany - posted on 04/24/2010

The "popular" parenting mags just parrot what the docs say, so that's not a good source of info. There are forums at Mothering.com that discuss more, as well as plenty of websites... Google things like vaccine dangers" or something to see what folks have to say.

This is a vital decision, with potential lifelong consequences, positive and negative. It's important that you do the research, so that you are comfortable with whatever decision you make.

They just keep coming up with more, too. Now the chicken pox vaccine... Which most people don't know you need to re-vax every 10 years, so now a bunch of people are starting to get chicken pox and/or shingles as adults, when it's much more serious! Yikes!

Janessa - posted on 04/22/2010

Great topic i was wondering the samething. Anyways i have not vaccinated my son who will be one on may the 26th. I will only vaccinate him with a few and i will ask for no mercury and spread them apart. I did do my research to tell you the truth i am still scared.

Nicole - posted on 04/22/2010

My son has Autism so you probably already have an idea how I am going to answer the question. Now I am not a mother who is anti-vaccine, but I AM ANTI-SCHEDULE. I do believe that vaccinations are important, but they give our little babies TOO MUCH, TOO SOON. A child's immune system isn't fully developed until age 6 yet we are giving them these shots which do contain trace amounts of mercury (yes they still have mercury just tiny amounts), aluminum, anti-freeze...etc. Not only did my son regress after his 5 shots at age 1, but my daughter seems to have a reaction every time she gets a shot. Her leg swells and gets hard for up to 3 days and she is 7. I will begin to give my son his vaccines after he turns 6 but only 1 a year. My daughter receives one a year as well. My pediatrician (yes an M.D.) insists because of the research she has done that we not give our kids more than 1 vaccine at a time spread over (at least) months. I don't believe that vaccines are the ONLY cause of Autism, but I do believe they are a contributing factor.

Sandra - posted on 04/22/2010

My 3 have all had their shots. Never had side effects from them. I am definately pro-vaccination.

Dawn - posted on 04/21/2010

Many many LOL's to Kirstie!!

Just to get some general knowledge out there...Hep B is mainly an STD..(transferred only by BODY fluids) unless your child is going to be sexually active in pre K, or unless you are or expose you kids to um....questionable people, there is NO NEED to worry about this shot as a baby! It is not the hepatitis you get from food so you can feel safe delaying it (and even still drink the water in Mexico!)
Vaccinations are a touchy subject, if it were up to us our kids would not have 90% of them, however, the government will put you through the ringer many many times over if you choose this route. For us we compromised on a very very delayed schedule, and one shot at a time, no combined doses, and no flu shots. More kids die/get serious injury from improper carseat usage then any of the sicknesses they promote vaccines for..


*side note on the flu shot, my husband is required by the military to get one every year, and he gets the flu EVERY YEAR, the kids and I have NEVER had one (including H1N1) and NEVER had the flu. Just makes me wonder....

Dell - posted on 04/20/2010

My son was vaccine damaged by his immunizations which left him with autism. If I had it to do all over again I either wouldnt vaccinate or Id INSIST that they be administered one at a time (no combo shots) and the doses spaced out enough that Im able to pinpoint when any potential damage was done. Sticking to that schedule is not as important as the assurance of being careful with your child's future health.

My advice to new parents is pretty much in line with Cheryl's reponse. Educate yourself first!!!!! At the end of the day whatever happens to your child; nobody has to live with it but YOU and YOUR CHILD and the damage he/she suffers may be a LIFE sentence! Insist also on being given the drug company/ manufacturer's name, drug lot numbers and expiration dates from the box or bottle the drugs are being drawn from. Make them let you see it with your own eyes(BEFORE THEY STICK YOUR BABY) and write down the info yourself. After any damages has been done they wont give you anything but a run around because they will have gone into their own personal self preservation mode. Trust me, your child will NOT be their main priority!

Elizabeth - posted on 04/20/2010

I agree with Cheryl P. Please do your own research. The pediatrician we see is great, and she's never given us a problem about not vaccinating our kids. I went to the library to find out what the DSM says about ALL the ingredients, ALL the side effects and ALL the methods of preparation of the vaccines. We decided that for our kids, the risks of vaccinating outweighed the benefits. The information is out there, but you'll have to dig if you want the unbiased facts. Then you can make your own decision for your own family.

Christy - posted on 04/19/2010

Yes, my son has has all of the shots up to this point. He just turned 2 last week. I did not let them give him the H1N1 shot though. I was surprised to find out at this 2-year-old well child check up that he had to have another shot. I was told at the previous visit that there wasnt anymore till 3 years old. Luckily it was only 1 shot. Everyone has their own opinion and only you can make this decision that is right for you. I feel that they have come a long way and that they have taken out the harmful things that were previously in vaccines.

Amy - posted on 04/19/2010

I know two parents (different families) whose children were normal until the day after their MMR shots. So we delayed vax and had them done one or two at a time. No triple mix coctails, etc. And we delayed the MMR until 4 years.

There isn't enough information out there. And the stories about children suddenly becoming autistic are REAL. But there's no explanaition. So we prefered the delay.

Though we have refused the chickenpox vax. If the boys don't get the disease by about age 10, we'll give them the vax at that time. I'm really not sure why that's not the preferred method. Besides, the risks of the vax are about the same as the risks of the disease, only the risk of shingles is greatly increased with the vax.

Aimee - posted on 04/19/2010

We are holding of on vaccinating our daughter until she is two and then we will decide if we want to start the shots then. She did get the first Hep B shot in the hospital and that was it. I personally feel uncomfortable with vaccination after researching the matter. PLEASE do your own research and make the decision yourself.

Danielle - posted on 04/19/2010

I really didn't want it done, but it was one of those things where I was alone with my baby in the doctors office they were there with the stuff to do it, and were like "it's better for them to get it done"...but I've heard some negative stuff too. Sophia seems fine tho, and she's gotten them twice now.

Victoria - posted on 04/19/2010

All three of my kids have had all their shots up to date, in fact on Thursday my 2 youngest are going for their school age shot which is usually the last until they are in High School, unless of course we travel to any country that requires certain shots.

The worst reaction I had with any of them was a fever for 2 days, with a bit of fussiness, which is expected and the fever can be treated with infant/children's fever meds and the fussiness just requires extra kisses, hugs and attention.

The only shot we didn't get our kids was the flu shot.

Cheryl - posted on 04/19/2010

*LOL* to Kirstie!!! I won't even go there reguarding the homeschool comment.



Vaccinations is one of those very important parenting choices that each must make for themselves. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE do lots of research. Most of your parenting magazines and your doctor will probably give you CDC research. While it is valid research, it is one sided. the government has the immunization programs set up and has decided it is for everyone's greater good. But you are correct, while most children just get a fever or rash, babies die every year form vaccines. there is a risk.



Also, I must clarify, most of the diseases we have vaccines for are not life threatening in today's highly sanitary and properly nourished society.



Every person is different, they will have different metabolic rates and abilities. My husband is a dentist and the big thing has been remove your metalic fillings and get the composite ones due to the mercury.... becuase some people can't handle the levels in their bodies. Well, that doesn't mean EVERYONE can't handle the metalic fillings. If you are having problems, my husband will change them. But the exposure to the removal of the fillings are worse, if you're not having problems, he advises against it.

The same is for the metalic preservatives used in vaccines- whether it's thimerisol (removed from some childhood vaccines but not all) or aluminum or zinc. You don't know how much your new baby can metabolize or how they will react. Vaccines are not dosed for weight or size of child- your child may be getting exposed to anywhere from 10- 100s of times the acceptable amount of perservative. If your child cannot metabolize metals, it will build up in their brain. Did you know the diffinative test for Altimerzes Disease is a spot in the brain where there is high levels of metals- especially ALum.? Those people were not able completely metabolize metals through their lives and it built up over time. (also another perservative used is a formaldyhyde derivative)



It's not just autism and all it's variations that some research has shown a link to vaccines, but SIDS and "so called" shaken baby syndrome has been as well.



I highly recommend a website called vaccine.911 and spend the $20 to get their DVD. They site tons of highly reputable, medical journals and give a wealth of information. Even if you do still decide to vaccinate- you atleast are making an informed decision instead of blindly just following what your doctor or government tells you to do.



FYI: our first had tradional vaccines on schedule (except for HepB at birth and we postponed the MMR until 15 months) until she was 18 months, none since then. Our second had them one at a time until the MMR, never got the MMR, none since then. Our third hasn't had any and our fourth will not have any either. The hard thing is finding a doctor who respects your wishes and doesn't pressure you or be a jerk about it. Our family practioner and I have talked at great lengths about it (and our OB too) and they respect that we have done our research and feel we are making what we feel is the best choice for our family.



But it's a choice every parent needs to make for themselves. Good luck in your searching.

Kirstie - posted on 04/19/2010

I have both my kids p to date with all the shots. The hep is important. I know that some dissagree. I have family that goes back and forth to mexico for family on the other side and it is in the water there. So you never know if or when your kids are exposed and to what. Unless you homeschool and never get out. To be vaccinated os les risky than to get the disease. There are still outbreaks of things that come back here. Just not often.

Jill - posted on 04/19/2010

my kids get all vaccinations except for the flu shot....we never get that...my mother was against vaccinations when i was growing up but when i got pregnant with my 2nd they realized i was not vaccinated for MMR... so after i gave birth they didn't let me leave the hospital without being vaccinated... remember your kids will one day grow up and there gonna need to be vaccinated before they have children... pregnant and not vaccinated is a scary thing...

Darliss - posted on 04/19/2010

My daughters are up to date on all of their shots. They have never had a problem and Ive never known any kids that do have issues. My reasoning is I would rather be safe than sorry. If I didnt get my kids vaccinated and they contracted something and passed away I would probably die from the guilt. I would have a hard time with the fact that I might have been able to prevent it.

Brandi - posted on 04/19/2010

A great resource for decisions about vaccines is "The Vaccine Book" by Dr. Sears. He wrote the book to give parents a mostly unbiased information guide to vaccines and tries to give you both sides of the argument (why to give or not to give).

We are getting our son fully vaccinated, but not on the AAP recommended schedule - ours is more spread out. He only gets a maximum of 2 vaccines per visit, and each visit is at least a month apart. We have not had ANY side effects, and I haven't given him any tylenol or motrin before or after the visits. Our schedule puts the vaccines for diseases he is likely to get now (like Rotovirus or Hib) early while delaying vaccines for diseases he isn't likely to come in contact with for a bit later (like Polio and the Hepatitus shots). This does mean more visits to the doctor's office, but some are "nurse only" visits. Also, we refused the Hep shot at the hospital because he was not at risk in our house to get it & the shot does not count towards vacination.

We did decide to postpone the MMR shot until our son turns 5 (we would have taken the individual shots sooner, but our doc doesn't offer them seperate). We made this decision because of the possible autism link - and I do personally know two families whose kids developed autism right after the MMR shot, one a set of triplet girls, the other a little boy - was it the shot? who knows - but I don't want to take the risk with my little boy.

Andrea - posted on 04/17/2010

Every child is different and ever person is different, and anyone could have an odd side effect from a vacination. For me the only thing different I did was instead of the vacination that is the combo one, I don't remember exactly what it was, but it had 3 vacinations in one shot, I decided to have the vacinations done individualy. I heard some strange things about the combo vacination, how it could cause autism, but I researched it and it seemed unlikely that it would happen, but I still decided to have them individualy. My son never got sick from any of his vacinations, including the flu vacine, but my niece she always got the flu when she got her shot. Every child is different. A group of kids can be exposed to the same germs and some will get sick and others wont. But get the shots and take care of him IF he gets a sick.

Stephanie - posted on 04/17/2010

vaccines are vital for the long term health of both my child and our community. Once in a while, my kids got a low fever or a sore arm/leg. but no long term issues. a little Tylenol before or right after usually helped. :) or nursing for the little ones.

Sarah - posted on 04/17/2010

My 7 month old has gotten all his vaccinations. The only reaction he had was after his 2 months shots...he was pretty cranky for a few hours. But, all he needed was some extra cuddling from mommy & he was just fine. :) Other than that, he has had no adverse reactions to his shots. I personally am all for them.

Sharon - posted on 04/17/2010

Mine had had all her shots..including regular flu and swine flu shots...she has never had a problem. I feel the risks are minimal and the vaccines are getting better and better. All I ever needed to do was give her a little grape motrin to help with any soreness. The thought of my daughter getting sick form something we have beaten in this country scares me. I have traveled all over the world and seen some very heartbreaking things.

Emilie - posted on 04/17/2010

I have just read an article about this in Parents magazine. They are FOR kids getting vacinations.

Most reactions that kids have are not very bad and do not last long, and you can give them a little tylenol and they feel perfectly fine.

What it said in Parents magazine is that, Alot of times people go on vacation to countries that still have some of the diseases that we have pretty much wiped out due to vaccines. But when they go visit these countries they can carry a disease back with them and pass it along to somebody that has not been vacinated, the reaction or results from those diseases will be much worsr than a reaction they might get from a shot.

I have had both of my kids vacinated and I will have any future children vacinated also.