Do you immunize your children? Mandatory or a personal choice?

Jaydensmomma - posted on 08/08/2012

AND TO THE LADY THAT SAID YOUR CHILD GET ALL VACCINES AT ONCE (CANT FIND THAT COMMENT SO I DONT REMEMBER YOUR NAME)

I DONT know who your doctor is but NEVER SHOULD you get more than four shots at once and actually medically speaking there are shots that if are given together can counteract and not even work ON THE OTHER HAND there are three shots that can be combined into one but there is no way MEDICALLY POSSIBLE that you can get ALL vacccines at once so if someone did that to your child I would switch DRs.
JUST SAYING

Jaydensmomma - posted on 08/08/2012

WTF is it that when a mother asks for advice or other mommys OPINIONS someone always has to be bitc%# if they have different beliefs or views of the situaton... EVERYBODY is entitled to their OWN opinion and as you all know everyone is not going to agree all the time but there is no reason to sit here and argue and bicker back and forth simply becase you dont agree with someone you can make a intellilecial statment without being a butt some people need to grow up and pull their head out of their as$..


So with that being said I am going to voice MY OPINION and answer the ladys question, I do veccinate my child and I AM a NURSE (which is why I am 100% for immunizations) I personally think it should be mandatory for EVERYBODY to do so as well( but that is probably because I am in the medical field and have seen first hand how many children get sick simply because their parents chose not to get them vaccinated or missed they did not recieve their vaccine when they were suppose to).
I just know that the benifits outwiegh the risks by very LARGE NUMBERS and I would feel horrible if my children were to get sick due to my negliance and knowing that if I would have to chose to give them a shot then they would be fine, I would just never be able to live with myself if I knew that if I would have given my children the vaccines they would have never gotten sick in the first place..... THIS IS JUST MY OPINION IN WHICH I AM INTITLED TO

Kateri - posted on 04/25/2012

Do you really want to risk having your children having possible respiratory problems such as asthma or bronchial, the possibility of aids, skin problems like eczema and psoriasis and even physiological problems and aultimers disease for the rest of there lives. There even relating the big C word that everyone's scared of Cancer to there findings. All these are the findings that there coming up with from vaccinations. They are not proven to be 100 % accurate look at what happened in Japan all these children were vaccinated and they still got polio that killed thousands of them. Did we really change from getting a vaccination that may or may not protect us. To injecting our children with these viruses that may cause so many other problems when there older. There are natural things that we can do to protect us from these viruses. Homeopathy, essential oils, Herbal remedies, Being HEALTHY is protecting yourself and taking the remedies all the time to keep you immune to any unknown virus..Not just taking a medicine when your sick or don't feel well. All the diseases that there vaccinating for don't even exist here. There are new unknown disease, are you prepared for them! parent of 4 children 3 have been immunized only because I wasn't educated and did what everyone did in our community, we did what we are told not knowing that we had a CHOICE

Tara - posted on 12/03/2011

I'm an NYU grad student researching routine childhood immunizations and would love to talk to parents who strong opinions on this topic. If you are willing to provide a quote or video, that would be great.

Jenni - posted on 04/23/2011

@April- vaccines don't guarentee beyond a shadow of a doubt you wont still contract the disease. What they *will* do is lower the severity of the symptoms and the risk of death.



Like in the case of the chicken pox vaccine. Children with the vaccine can still contract the virus but it lessens the severity of the body's reaction to it. It also reduces the risk of shingles. That said; I did bypass the chicken pox vaccine with my son. I didn't deem it entirely necessary. I'm still on the fence about getting it for my daughter.



And my children are vaccinated (in the process of vaccination). My son didn't even get his first cold until 18 months and has had one tiny 24 hour flu at 2 1/2 years old with a low-grade fever. My daughter is 11 months and has only had one cold. This has nothing to do with being vaccinated or not.



When you get a cold/flu for example. Your body learns to fight off that particular strain of cold/flu. You will virtually never catch that same strain again if you come into contact with it. Your body has learned to fight that *particular* strain. Now since there are millions of different strains and mutations getting one type of cold or flu does not make your body more immune to other strains just that one particular strain. That is why immunizations or lack of has absolutely NOTHING to do with our body's general immunity to viruses or diseases. Well except immunizations build up an immunity to a particular type of virus (ie: mumps, measles, whooping cough and other deady strains of viruses). It's sort of like fitting a key to a lock. You need a particular key (formation of white blood cell) for a particular lock (bacteria/virus). Once your body learns how to make that particular key it will always have the blue prints for it.



Vaccines put a dead virus (in correlation with the type of immunization) to build an immunity to it. It teaches white blood cells how to fight the virus so if the body comes in contact with the live virus it will already know how to fight it. That's why you can still contract the diseases. However, the difference is your body will do a much more efficient job of fighting them off. Much like with chicken pox. When a child gets chicken pox... their body fights off the virus. It is not impossible to contract the virus again. Contrary, to popular belief. But the chances of you contracting the virus become extremely slim after your body learns to fight the virus. If you were to contract it, it would be far less severe than the first time you had it. That in a sense is how vaccines work. Except instead of a live virus (malignant) you are injected with a dead virus (benigh).



The difference with chicken pox and say measles, mumps, reubella, whooping cough etc. is chicken pox is far less deadly. The first time you contract one of these other diseases, unlike chicken pox... could be the last time. Your risk of death is much higher, the risk of children dying from one of these diseases is even greater.



The less people vaccinate, the less herd immunity we have... the more you will see these deadly viruses making a comeback into our society. The reason there are people who stress manditory vaccinations is because your 'choice' effects others. Those who cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons and babies too young to have the vaccinations yet.

Jenni - posted on 04/23/2011

I would hate to say I think it should be manditory but considering all the faith lost in immunizations in the last couple of years. I find it a bit frightening that so many children who CAN be vaccinated are not. There are children who cannot be vaccinated because of allergies or bad reactions. That is why everyone that CAN get them, should. To protect these children/adults who can't with herd immunity and to protect very young babies who have not had their immunizations yet.



There are a lot of myths and conspiricy theories surrounding vaccines. The truth is; that's all most of them are.... propaganda. All these horror stories that you hear about Autism caused by MMR have been largely proven false and a link could not be found through case studies around the world and to boot they have removed thermisol from virtually all vaccines (aside from certain flu shots). Which is the mercury-based compound believed to have caused the autism scares and in effect caused many parents to lose faith in vaccines. A lot of parents of children with autism will claim that they noticed a change in their child after their MMR shot. It's more likely that most children with autism have normal development up until 12-24 months and that accounts for the change or regression in development (occuring around the time the MMRs are given). Also we can account for the higher rates of diagnosis of autism to the broader spectrum used now to diagnose autism. More cases are diagnosed that wouldn't have been in the past.



I wouldn't want to take away a parent's choice to make medical decisions for their child. But I do encourage education on vaccines and advocate it. I do want a lot of the myths to be dispelled in hopes more parents will feel safe vaccinating for the sake of their children and society.

April - posted on 04/22/2011

Im so sorry you were bullied into that situation. I had such a hard time even finding a doctor that would even listen to my concerns about vaccinating i was also bullied! It makes me so angry! My child has only had a few shots i also seperated them out. It sounds like you have done a great job in your research i wish more people would. And why are people so afraid to let their kids play with unvaccinated children? This years out break of whooping cough studies show that 85% of the kids who had pertussis were fully vaccinated so how do you explain that? Alot of the vaccines do not give people immunity. Also if their kid is vaccinated "and they should be protected" why are they worried they are going to catch something from the unvaccinated child???? In the future stand your ground u have rights i went through 6 doctors until i found one willing to respect my request.My baby girl is 2 and is very healthy only been sick 2 times in 2 years has no medical problems never goes to the doctor and all the kids around her seem to always be sick or have allergies ect. it seems kids who are not overloaded with the toxins that are in the shots have better immune syestems, no allergies,or disease in my opinion.

Rachael - posted on 04/22/2011

i think that there isn't really a right answer. i am planning on immunizing my son except for the flu shot and the chicken pox vaccine. everything else he will get. i understand why they want all kids to get vaccinated though, because if enough people stop vaccinating these illnesses might come back and be a serious problem again

Alex - posted on 04/22/2011

i understand your right to choose and i'm sorry that you were forced to do something that you didn't want to do.
now i haven't read through every single response, as i don't have that kind of time, and i'm sorry if i'm repeating something someone else has said. But, i believe that all children that are able to should be immunized. Not only will it protect them from some horrible, deadly, and preventable illness, but it will protect those in the community that aren't able to get them for medical reasons. These shots have been developed over years of study to protect the populus from illnesses that have claimed the lives of thousands upon thousands over the years. i believe that the risks that come along with the immunizations are much fewer than the risk of my child contracting a horrible illness that could have been prevented by my doctor giving them a shot. as for the amount that they get at once, most only get on or two per visit if you follow the schedule. (not sure what it is in canada, but i know that in NY and TX thats how it's done) but if you miss a few months, like i did for my youngest due to health insurance issues, then they are able to give 6 at a time condensed into 4 shots. some are combined. Again i respect your right to choose what you want for your family but i feel that it is the responsibility of the ones who are able, to protect the entire populus against illnesses that shouldn't be an issue anymore in this day and age. i sure as hell don't want measles, mumps, or anything else like that to make a comeback in society because everyone deceides that they shouldn't get their kids shots.
on a side note, the flu "shot" is also available in nose spray form so that its one less shot to have to worry about that also helps protect my children.

Denise - posted on 04/21/2011

So son will turn 6 in June. We had his 5 year old shots done a year ago and some of these shots were combined. Well a year later he is developing a tic. Sometimes blinking his eyes, turning his head with a mouth jerk and sometimes an arm goes sideways. We went to our pediatrician and she suggested seeing a Neurologist. We scheduled the appointment but it isnt for a couple more weeks. So I took my son to a friend of mine who is an acupuncturist and she says its from the shots and them being combined that his body is overheating and causing these tics. We have him on some herbs she gave us and it seems to have slowed the tics down. Has anyone experienced anything like this and also if you are offered the 3 in one shots do not do it. I suggest you have them spread out - it is your choice - which I was unaware of at the time.

Denise - posted on 04/21/2011

So son will turn 6 in June. We had his 5 year old shots done a year ago and some of these shots were combined. Well a year later he is developing a tic. Sometimes blinking his eyes, turning his head with a mouth jerk and sometimes an arm goes sideways. We went to our pediatrician and she suggested seeing a Neurologist. We scheduled the appointment but it isnt for a couple more weeks. So I took my son to a friend of mine who is an acupuncturist and she says its from the shots and them being combined that his body is overheating and causing these tics. We have him on some herbs she gave us and it seems to have slowed the tics down. Has anyone experienced anything like this and also if you are offered the 3 in one shots do not do it. I suggest you have them spread out - it is your choice - which I was unaware of at the time.

Colleen - posted on 03/28/2011

see meghan's comment. Your child should not be getting everything at once or they may not build immunity properly. There are several shots that are given in combo but you need typically 2 or 3 rounds. Look at pediatric or hospital website to see the normal schedule. Some meds needs booster shots in 10 or so yrs

Crystal - posted on 03/28/2011

i think all kids should be immunized unless their is medical issue that contradicts them other wise definetly should have them 2 kids fully vaccinated and are perfectly healthy

Colleen - posted on 03/28/2011

Yes people should get them immuized. It has been shown the isn't an increased risk of autism. When people don't get immunized they not only risk getting sick, more likely they increase odds of getting others sick. Just look at the rise of whooping cough. Many schools require vaccines. Preschools, jr. high's and even certain vaccinations for universities

Vicky - posted on 03/28/2011

I think they are important to get, and in some form should be mandatory, the government would not willingly pay for shots if they thought or knew that some of them could make your child sick, the immunizations is there to protect your child instead of harming him.
If you took your information from the internet, it might not have been the best place to take it. There is a LOT of false information out there. Having said that I can see why you would be upset over seeing your little one have shots but I can guarrantee that it is a lot shorter and less painful than for them to get one the illnesses that comes with not getting the immunizations shots.

April - posted on 03/27/2011

I want both my kids to have all the important immunization shots. I'll do anything to keep them from getting sick :)

Kelly - posted on 03/27/2011

let me start with, jenn, congratulations on your sobriety!

now, i think i am probably the minority here. immunization should be mandatory due to the possibility of spreading awful preventable diseases. if you have ever seen anyone in the agonizing throes of polio, you would vaccinate in a heartbeat! the potential of spreading is not necessarily with the vaccinated child, either. an unvaccinated child can be a carrier of a disease long before they exhibit any symptoms. for example, an unvaccinated child goes to the park... where a mother has taken her vaccinated pre-schooler and her unvaccinated infant (because, let's face it, being cooped up with a pre-schooler and an infant is not fun for anyone). this mom believes in vaccination but they are according to schedule. the unvaccinated child's parents do not vaccinate by choice. the unvaccinated child got off of an international airplane three days before where he were exposed to the measles. he is a carrier for the disease, even if he never gets sick. but, because that child went to the park where the unvaccinated infant is, he has now possibly exposed the infant to the measles. and that infant now is a carrier and can possibly expose every infant in the mommy-and-me play group to the measles.
however, i do believe that the vaccinations need to be better manufactuered. while i do not have a problem with the whole fetal tissue thing, there has to be a better way to manufactuer vaccines so that there aren't as many nasty surprises inside.

i vaccinate. according to schedule. our doctor does do them in his office. i allow the babies (i have 4 month old twins) to be vaccinated there but not my older daughter (3years), having nothing to do with the vaccines themselves. i do not wish my normally healthy 3 year old to associate the doctor's office with painful shots seeing as that's usually the only time she would see him. the babies will switch over to the public health office soon enough.

Alexis - posted on 03/27/2011

its not true that you have to have your shots to attend school or daycare unless it is a private school. You just have to fill out paperwork saying that you do not immunize your child, and if there is a breakout of any level you have to keep your child at home. Most schools\ daycares don't volunteer this information though.

Katie - posted on 03/27/2011

Both my boys have all their shots. Their doctor doesn't give them to them all at once, but a couple at time (since some series can't be given at the same time) for their visits until the age of 18mnths, and then none until 3. The only one I had hesitation about was the chicken pox vaccine. But in the state of NH, the child has to have ALL shots including the chicken pox or else they can't attend school due to the risk of possibly either getting an illness or giving an illness to another child.I haven't fought the doctor since, I'd rather them be able to go to school then not, and I won't home school. I am not qualified, and that's what people go to college for.

Kristen - posted on 03/27/2011

IMMUNIZE!! I know it's hard watching your child crying in pain from the shots, but it's worth it. With my first daughter I would always leave the room to make the next appt while my husband stayed so she could get the mandatory shots. The country hasn't seen an outbreak of polio in I believe over 20-25 years. The positive outcomes outweight the negative outcomes. I always give my daughters Tylenol/Motrin 30 min. prior to the appt. and give the medicine every 4-6 hours for the first 24 hours to keep ahead of the soreness. Children cannot attend daycare or public schools I believe if they are not updated with their vaccinations. Keep your child's health in mind for the future when you decide to get the vaccinations or not.

Alexis - posted on 03/26/2011

oh, and why would you be so afraid of an unvaccinated but well child playing with your vaccinated child? Arent your children protected from the disease since they had their shots?

Alexis - posted on 03/26/2011

I think it should be personal choice, not only are their side effects but every one keeps harping on how if you don't get your child immunized then you are putting everyone at risk, and yet we are now having more and more outbreaks of super resistant diseases and illness's that kill a far higher percentage of those that get sick then those that got sick with the disease before immunizations, with the exception of a few like Hep B. These mutated diseases and illness have been caused by two things, immunizations and antibiotics. On top of that we have a lower immunity level because we are not exposed to a lot of germs anymore. So one could debate that those that have immunized have put everyone at a bigger risk by playing a part in creating these mutated super diseases and illness's. That is my argument for allowing immunizations to be a personal choice and I would also argue that if you do immunize your child don't give them multiple shots at one time. If there is a bad reaction you wouldn't know which one caused it, which is exactly what happened to me when I was little. I had seizures after a group of immunizations and the doc couldn't tell which one caused it because I was given so many at once. For those that believe you should listen to your doctor just because of their title, you need to understand that they have money incentives to prescribe the things they do, and that includes immunizations. Not only that but if what doctor's said was gold then we wouldn't have different doctor's giving different diagnosis or different regiments or prescriptions for the same symptoms.

Elizabeth - posted on 03/26/2011

Following the proper schedule, my children never received more than 3 shots at time at the most. I believe it's a choice, but why do you think these diseases are no longer rampant in this country? I totally understand not doing it because of an allergy, other than that, it is a choice you have to make. Not only for yourself, but for the people around you and your child. You never know whose been to another country or been exposed to something you can't see. And FYI, no shots contain actual mercury anymore. And only the flumist is an actual "live" vaccine.

Casey - posted on 03/26/2011

Jenn your question was actually "Do you think I (or anyone) would be allowing their child to go to daycare/playdates/school if they were infected with any of these viruses/diseases? I would think not." so in response to your question I was just stating that yes I do think some parents send their children to these places even though they are sick you never targeted the question just at yourself you asked if ANYONE would send their kids.
And I realise my child could come into contact with kids anywhere who weren't vaccinated and unfortunately there is nothing that I can do about that but I think when it comes to schools and daycare centres I should be able to send him there knowing that all the children there that he is interacting with have at least had the important immunisations. And if you took the time to read my original post you would also see that I have explained that children should have the important ones and it should be up to the parent weather they have the rest of them, I don't think that you should be forced to have all your kids shots done if you really feel that they are not nessacary or if your doctor advises against them but at least have the important ones done so that we don't start having these terrible diseases coming back into society again.

Jerrie - posted on 03/26/2011

Getting your child immunized won't protect them from getting the chicken box, mumps, whooping cough...etc. No matter if they get the shots they still can catch it. And for the ones who don't want their kids to play around the ones who hasn't gotten immunized thts just wrong. If your child has gotten the shots then why are you worried about him/her getting sick from someone who hasn't gotten their shots. And to be honest your child can get sick from someone who has gotten their shots just like they can catch something from someone who hasn't gotten their shots. Like i said in the begging your child is not protected once they've gotten their shots they are still likely to get sick.the only difference is from a child who has gotten their shots and a child who hasn't gotten their shots. Take this for an example lets say this child who has gotten her chicken box shots has came in contact with another child with the chicken box virus, yes she may catch it but since her body is already amuned to it she is able to fight it off and may save him or her a trip to the hospital. Now take the child who hasn't gotten her chicken box shot and they came into contact with a child who has the chicken box viruse, now they can get it worser tht one time and may end up in the hospital or even death. I think it's better to be immunized then not to be immunized. Maybe do more research over time. Because some of those sickness out there only end in death with out being immunized.

Claire - posted on 03/26/2011

we've had both our boys immunised even when they were younger. We have a son with cp and our youngest has severe developmental delay (8yrs and 5yrs) our eldest has had the immunisation for pneumonia as he had it twice when he was a baby, when they told me there was an injection for mmr i asked whether it was safe and the hv told me that all the drs children had all had it done and they were fine so our 2 had them as well and we've had no problems

Erin - posted on 03/26/2011

Both my boys are vaccinated and on schedule. I knew I was doing a "regular" schedule vaccination with both of them as my husband is in the military. He has an awesome immune system (most of the time he never gets sick, but he's still a carrier) so I want my boys protected even against diseases that are "gone" in the US. I'm very proud of my husband for protecting our country. I'm for it being more personal choice, based on each family's lifestyle.

Corinne - posted on 03/26/2011

well You contagous before you are sick! i understand parents have to work too. I do not think they would purposly effect other children but if we did not vacinate it would be horrible!

Corinne - posted on 03/26/2011

You are required to have them done or the school and drs office will be calling child services. Everyone thinks it has a link to autism-but the truth is that it dose not. There was a freak accident with my youngest and he ended up with double dose of immunization. He is not autistic. All studies of autism are unconclusive. They find a lead and then it dosent make since. The Dr. and Health Depts. i called told me it is better to double up then not have had it at all. The risk of your child getting the things they are protecting is well worth getting them. I do not like doing it but i do b/c the people in medicine has more education in their field then we do and the research I have independantly have done backs up what they have said.

Jerrie - posted on 03/26/2011

I was 18 years old when i had my first child. I also did research on the shots too and there was some shots tht i didn't want my newborn to get. But after thinking about it for a while and seeing what my family has went through dealing with the state i decided to get my daughter all the shots. they start off every so offten and she never got more then 3 at a time. and after 1 years old they go one more time before they turn 2. the only other time they get one more shot then wht they need is when it's time for their flu shot. I think it should be up to the parent since the child is for them. but in the eyes of the state it kinda don't work like tht. I think all kids being a younger child should always be updated with their shots because once they start school or even go to college no matter what they gotta get those shots. so rather you as a parent decide not to get your kids shots they gotta get them in the long run any way.

Michelle - posted on 03/26/2011

@ Katherine- The whole thing about not wanting my vaccinated kids exposed to unvaccinated kids is not because I'm worried about my vaccinated kids. What my concern is exposure to things that they haven't gotten the shot for yet that can be dangerous. For example measles can be lethal to children under the age of one and it's a 12 month shot. So if one of my older kids bring it home from preschool or a play area (or we're at a party) the older ones will not get it but it can still be passed along to my little one. My sons preschool had an outbreak of whooping cough right around the time my youngest was born this year and we had a very scary couple of weeks as a result. Given that vaccinated people become carriers of the disease/ illness when they are exposed I would say that vaccinated and unvaccinated children are equally dangerous to each other. I don't have any fear for my already vaccinated children. If for some reason my kids couldn't receive a certain vaccine due to allergy etc I would be concerned too. I don't know about anyone else but that is my concern about my kids being exposed to unvaccinated kids. But like I said it is a choice, I would just like to find a compromise of some sort where my kids were not exposed in the process. The worker was very much in the wrong to force Jenn to vaccinate. I don't know the Canadian Social Services system very well so I couldn't say if it was legal or not.

Marion - posted on 03/26/2011

i personally believe that all kids should be immunized as because people are not immunizing these illnesses are starting to come back. but its up to the individual parent but i do believe it should be mandatory

Karine - posted on 03/26/2011

What I find funny about the whole not allowing my unvaccinated children near your vaccinated children is that if they are vaccinated and you believe in vaccines so much wouldn't they be protected from an illness my child has due to not being vaccinated?

Jenn IMO it should be the parents choice to vaccinate, not vaccinate or selectively vaccinate. I have friends who almost died as children when they received their vaccine and have decided they do not want to risk their children having the same problem. If you want to only have 1 done at a time or all done at once it should be the parents and only the parents choice. Your worker was in the wrong for forcing them to all be done at once, but often they go by what is normal and taught to them so perhaps she felts in her mind that you were just trying to be lazy and not do what is right. Not trying to defend her, but when it comes to vaccines many do not understand and/or research spacing them out or selecting which you'd like at what points in a child's life.

Jenn - posted on 03/26/2011

You are totally taking what I am saying the wrong way. I am not saying that there arent people that dont send thier children to school sick, I am saying I dont send mine. And I am not saying my reasons for deciding against some (not ALL) vaccines is because my child won't cause an epidemic. Btw, that was meant to be slightly cascastis. I am stating that you child is just as likely yo get an illness in any public place then because they are around a few kids who arent vaccinated. Why dont you read my original post before you jump up and say that I am not vaccinating my kids because they wont cause an epidemic. I NEVER said I chose not to vacinate my kids, I just didnt want them vaccinated against ALL of the shots that are recommended and I felt I have very good reasons for doing so. However, my children did end up HAVING all their vaccinations, even though I didnt agree with it, I already explained all that which you would know if you took the time to read my initial post.

Casey - posted on 03/25/2011

Actually yes I do think ALOT of parents still send their children to school and daycare no matter how sick they are actually I KNOW alot of parents do cause my sisters daughter has just started school this year and has already had headlice twice, a cold and shes just getting over gastro not to mention about a month ago there was rubella/german measles going around at the school too, also at the playgroup that I used to take my son to there was recently a terrible outbreak of whooping cough so even though you yourself might be a responsible parent and keep your child away from others when they are sick there is obviously alot of parents who don't and I'm sure there are some children out there who pick up nasty illnesses and diseases and before they have the full blown symptoms they have already been sent to school and daycare with out their parents even knowing they were sick yet therefore putting other kids at risk. And if everyone had the attitude "oh I won't bother getting it done cause I doubt my child is going to cause an epidemic" then we probably would end up right back where we started when awful diseases claimed thousands of lives each year it's because of immunisation that many of those horrible things have been nearly completely wiped out now but if nobody bothered to get their kids immunised it wouldn't take long for them to return.

Jenn - posted on 03/25/2011

I just wanted to say something. I see everyone saying that they don't want an unvaccinated child playing with their child and I think that this is sorta ridiculous. It is common sense (and courtesy) to keep you child from interacting with other children when they are ill. Do you think I (or anyone) would be allowing their child to go to daycare/playdates/school if they were infected with any of these viruses/diseases? I would think not. Therefore, the chance of my child infecting your child with any of those illnesses is slim to none. Your child would have a greater chance being infected in the waiting room at the hospital or even a birthday party, etc. Also, I highly doubt that my child is going to cause an epidemic. Just saying:)

Casey - posted on 03/25/2011

I do get all my childs immunisations done and on time but I haven't bothered with the flu shot yet mainly because his only 2 and doesn't attend day care or pre-school yet and I have been told that it's not really worth getting it done anyways because there is so many different strains of the flu that it is impossible to vaccinate against them all, but he does take a kids multivitamin every day to help boost his immune system and I am happy to say his only ever had 1 cold in his whole life.
I don't think it should be mandatory to have your kids shots done no-one should be able to force you to do something that you don't want to do, however I think if you choose not to have their shots done (the important ones) then maybe there should be some restrictions when it comes to sending you kids to daycare and school cause I know this sounds really mean but I go to the trouble of having my childs immunisations up to date to protect him from nasty diseases and illnesses and I really don't want him interacting with a child who hasn't been immunised I am very sorry if that hurts some peoples feelings but thats honestly how I feel and I realise that there are some children out there who can't be vaccinated due to allergies and stuff but there are alot of kids out there who arn't done just because their parents feel it's to painful or stressful, I just think that all kids should at least have the important ones done and if there are some that you really feel are unnessacary or your doctor advises against then thats your choice.

Alejandra - posted on 03/25/2011

BTW Thank you for this post, it actually got me looking at the actual vaccines my daughter has received and what is "required" Being on medicaid they often don't allow us to access our medical records unless we pay ton's and ton's for it. So we can very well be lied to by our doctors about what is being administered to us. I don't know how often that really happens but I have read a few blog post on TheMidwifeNextDoor.com about it.

Alejandra - posted on 03/25/2011

Yeah I seen all of the replies and some people were extremely obnoxious about their personal choice and how they should be the only one with a choice. I agree with many saying you may have a legal case against your case worker... I am from the U.S. and recieve government assistance and often have to argue with case workers about personal choice... They tend to assume because of your situation on needing assistance you are uneducated in your rights and often try to force what they want on you. I at times have been intimidated being a young mom but now I know better and speak up even when afraid too.

It's horrible that now at days people take their positions to the advantage of forcing people to do what they want rather then really helping like they should.

Jenn - posted on 03/25/2011

Just to clear things up if you reread my post i stated that i didn't want my children immunized with ALL the available shots because i feel some are more of a risk then it is worth. However, I was basically forced to comply with ALL the shots, and in large amounts of shots at one time. I do agree that there are immunizations our children should have, i simply did not agree with my children having all of them and especially so young, I would have preferred to get the ones I felt necessary and wait until my daughter was older to consider the other ones, if ever. I never stated that I choose not to vaccinate at all. Just wanted to clear it up cuz I think a few people misread my post. Thanks!

Alejandra - posted on 03/25/2011

BTW Congrats on staying clean!!

Alejandra - posted on 03/25/2011

Personally I struggled with my choice but the point is it should always be a choice. When we did vaccinate we waited till she was 2.5 months then 2 at a time till she was about 6 months and decided to wait till she was 2years to start up again. she has only recieved 2 other shot's since and I'm am holding out until I wrap my head around all of the actual shots given. Mind you I am a stay at home mom and would never take my child out while she is sick... I would never want to pass that to some one else child...

Sonia - posted on 03/25/2011

i immunize my son but i ask for the insert to the vaccine and i read the ingredients. i do not do flu shots it does more damage then good. and my son is fine. hes two years old was born a preemie and i refused the rsv shots also and he breaths fine. now it shouldnt be mandatory because we as people should have the right to say no to it . congratulations for being clean for 2 years thats wonderful.

Angela - posted on 03/25/2011

I think they should be a personal choice. However, there are classes available and books available so we can be informed about it (I'm sure you've read them/taken them since you say you're informed about it), and I believe every parent should educate themselves regarding things being injected into their children. There ARE dangers to doing it, there are also dangers to not doing it. So it really is up to the parent as to which dangers they wish to expose their children to, and should take precautions to prevent those dangers from developing into problems.

I immunize selectively. I don't believe that the chicken pox vaccine is necessary and have heard of many cases where it doesn't work. The flu shot is also one we choose not to get. MMR is something that makes me nervous, especially with my already sensitive second child, so we're waiting on it.

I didn't get informed with my first and she had all her regular shots until about 2 and a half years. I've been taking things slow with my second. My future children will probably not receive any until they are older.

I think it's horrible that your case was held off until you got their shots, but it is understandable due to the situation. But getting all the shots at once is really bad for the kids, and that should've been mentioned with the social worker. Sick children also shouldn't be immunized since the body has to work so hard to deal with the shots. If there is any way for you to present current research to the courts or the social worker, please do so in order to avoid things like that happening in the future (to your children or other's children).

I HATE when people say to simply TRUST your doctor, nurse, research analyst or pharmacist. These people are very educated, very well paid and a lot of times, are misinformed. They pick and choose which research they will consider true and sometimes the padding of their wallet has something to do with it. Not all the time, don't get me wrong! But we, as parents, do have a responsibility to consider all the options before making a choice about our children's care. All of these types of jobs are filled by many people with varying opinions. We have to choose which ones to listen to.

Maria - posted on 03/25/2011

it a personal choice but I would not feel right not giving the my daughter the protection against ilnesses that are out there when I am protected my husband is a registered nurse and faces illnesses on a daily basis and outbreaks happen all the time because people are not vaccinated,but its a choice not the law.

Aimee - posted on 03/25/2011

it is your choice but it is good for your children to be vaccinated as there are so many things that are in this country that are bad like menigites and things like that if your child gets it then your child could become really ill. hope this helps mine last week had 3 shots at once.

Lexi - posted on 03/25/2011

also one last thing to add, a lady was asking as to why new borns and really young babies under 6 month are generally not immunized unless at a very high risk for something. its because if you breastfeed your baby they have the same immune system you do till they reach around 6 months old when there own kicks in and thats when the needles really start to make a difference.

Lexi - posted on 03/25/2011

Adding to my post earlier. i come from australia where doctors and nurses both have to recieved special training to be able to offer immunization(doctors get it mandatory at school nurses opp to do it as further study) our list if immunizations is no where near the amount at one time that is seems that canada and america endorse. they only have 1 shot at a time at 2, 4 and 6 months then 2 at 12 months then 1 more at 18 months then none again till that hit 4 where its chicken pox. flu shots are optional, and i trust in the shots we get at my mother in law in a maternal and child health care nurse and a midwife and has been delieverying babies for 30 years and making sure they grow up happy and healthly and my sister is about to become the same, and my sister has to do an enitre year subject on immuizations when she takes up midwifery. maybe they just train our immunizers better. but having that information and there willingness to explain things and offer up anything you'd want to know helps make your discissions. but here most childcare centres and schools will not accept a child without there immunizations except for medical reasons.

Jennie - posted on 03/24/2011

to meghan thomson, the flu vaccine has egg in it and the MMR shot had the thermisol (mercury additive) in it. julianne, they should not have given your 8 month that many shots in one go and especially in the baby's arms, they're way too little. they could have spaced them out over 3-6 months. and the social worker was being intimidating as well. i'm a proponent of vaccinating, even though my daughter is autistic-i would rather have a child that has autism than a child that is dead from a preventable disease, but i draw the line at bullying. i believe that children should still get the measles, chicken pox, flu and dtap vaccines, but you should be able to space them out if that is what you feel you should do. that social worker was being a bully.

Jenn - posted on 03/24/2011

Just to clear this up, I live in Canada and here you can get shots done by your doctor but only certain doctors offer them and mine did not, so if your doctor doesnt then you have to get them at the public health building. It is not a doctor that administers the vaccines, it is simply a public health nurse. So I highly doubt that they have that much training as far as what ingredients are in each vaccine and whether to combine certain ones or not. I am not sure how shots are obtained in the US. Maybe someone could clarify. Is it only at the doctors office there? Thanks!
Also I never even thought that what they did to me could be considered blackmail of sorts but it does make sense, as they refused to close my case until I had my kids vaccinated, which was the ONLY reason I allowed it to happen. I am definitely going to look into this matter..Keep the posts coming!!