vaccinations

Wendy - posted on 05/11/2010

In the States it varies. Some states you can send unvaccinated children to public schools. The acceptable reasons can be religous, medical , etc. This is not widely known as the schools prefer you vaccinate. You have to research the local laws.

Debbie - posted on 05/11/2010

Hi Stephanie - totally understand your concern and how it can impact your child and that's why I can't have the flu shot annually for my family, because of the impact that some of the ingredients in that particular vaccine can have on my family. Vaccines do not guarantee you will not get the disease but they do provide a higher probability. Both of my boys received the chickenpox vaccine as did most of the kids in their class, but in second grade roughly half the class was out with chickenpox - all vaccinated kids, but my vaccinated boys were just fine. For me finding out we could not have the flu vaccine sent me researching for alternatives such as homeopathics and herbs and we have been healthy.

Mary - posted on 05/11/2010

Just want to say one thing...you mom's who say if an unvaccinated child makes your's sick you will lay the mother of lawsuits...hmmm, well if your child is vaccinated you should not have to worry about it should you. That is why you have your child vaccinated, if not for that reason then WHY? Maybe the bottom line is that NOBODY trusts vaccines. Every single one of them have warnings that say it does not protect against all strains or at least every one of them I have seen does. So, if your child gets sick, and is vaccinated, seems to me that the system failed you and that the drug company should be the first to get a lawsuit for providing you with a false sense of security at the risk of your child's health. No anger here, I am just asking for logical thought. ~

Stephanie - posted on 05/11/2010

I believe everyone can make their own choices and decisions on this topic. It's a very stressful one and I will definitely always vaccinate my child. Everyone I grew up with has been vaccinated and we all turned out fine. I don't know if that would be the case if we all didn't?!? I haven't done any of the "research", but from my experience that's what I'm going to choose to do. The only concern that I have is bringing my newborn out, who can't be vanccinated yet, and another kid that hasn't been vaccinated has something and spreads it to my child?! Then what? And I know colds and other things like that can be spread, but that's different from other more dangerous diseases! I'm not saying that their shouldn't be a choice I'm just expressing my concern?!? :)

Debbie - posted on 05/11/2010

The article "To Vaccinate or Not Vaccinate" looks at both sides of the issue and leaves it to the parent to decide what to do - http://www.bluedominoes.com/content/vacc... In the state of California where I live, parents can apply for exemption if they so choose. We do not get the annual flu shot, we use homeopathics and they work SO well. Good to see so many loving parents so passionate about keeping their kids healthy on BOTH sides of the issue.

Alexandra - posted on 05/11/2010

Bless you Natalie! I'm sure there are tons of perfectly healthy kids and ill kids on both sides of the debate but saying "my unvaccinated kids are healthy and my friend's vaccinated kids are unhealthy therefore vaccinations cause illness" is the epitome of junk science. There could be about a million other factors involved in making these children ill so to immediately blame vaccinations is ridiculous. It's like saying "I woke up with a headache this morning and the last thing I ate last night was a cookie therefore cookies cause headaches". True research requires very specific guidelines to make sure that the results are accurate and it is scary how much "research" out there (on all kinds of topics) doesn't follow these guidelines. I also don't believe in a world full of either evil or stupid doctors who promote vaccinations only because they are either greedy or ignorant.
The irony is that all the anti-vaccine people who dismiss such diseases as polio, whooping cough, measles etc as harmless are only doing so because they were not around when these diseases were epidemic. The reason they are no longer epidemic is vaccines!

Linda - posted on 05/11/2010

My children do not get vaccines, they are completely healthy. A shot in the dark is a very good book to read. If you do get vaccines for your children you need to ask the doctor to give you a list of the ingredients that make up the vaccine and then do some research and see if those are the types of things you would want in your or or child's body.

Sabrina - posted on 05/11/2010

Of course another question that has mothers attacking each other. Fact is no one is right and no one is wrong, it is whatever YOU feel is best for your child not whatever other mother feels is best for YOUR child. Get over it. Some people choose to vaccinate and some choose not too, it is THEIR decision NOT anyone else's. There are lots of different studies out there that can prove either or but that's all they are STUDIES not conerete for either arguement, you do what you think is best and always go with your gut feelings.

Tiffiny - posted on 05/11/2010

@ jessica ur info is very helpful,

@ jodi u r trying to enforce ur opinion on everybody, yes i have read this whole controversy from the beginning, and basically its not up to u how people want to raise their children it is up to them their not going to change their opinion just b/c u tell them 2... and u know what, my kids r only behind on their shots b/c we don't have the money 2 pay 4 the dr.'s visits, but after reading all that was on here i think i'm just not going 2 worry about it so in a way thank u 4 all ur help

Colleen - posted on 05/11/2010

That's very fair to say Samantha.
There is evidence that supports that. Children who have even a sniffle & get a scheduled vaccination can easily become sick.
I have even seen this in my own home after a vaccination.
As for ear infections, yes they are a result of fluid build up since babies & toddlers don't know how to excrete mucus as we do...BUT... if a child was already carrying the bacteria before the shot, most likely, they would develop some symptoms even w/o the vaccination.
My boys have had 3 ear infections thus far & none were caused by shots. Just NASTY common colds w/lots of yucky mucus. My daughter never had an ear infection, but, she was like never sick. Again, just goes to show every child is different.

Natalie - posted on 05/11/2010

I would like to add that those that keep saying, "My unvaccinated child is healthier than all the vaccinated ones around me..." My son has never had anything more than a minor fever, and he's nearly four. He's fully vaccinated. The same is true for my niece and two nephews. Anyone can pull stories from their own lives and make them seem definitive, but that's not how the truth works. You have to be able to look past your immediate surroundings (and by that I mean the people in your life, not necessarily your geography) and understand the TOTAL picture.

Natalie - posted on 05/11/2010

It absolutely FLOORS me to see people describing autism as horribly devastating while flippantly saying that measles, polio, whooping cough, etc. are nothing to be worried about. Do you have any idea how disabling polio is? Or how a very serious type of pneumonia or even encephalitis (brain swelling) can result from the measles? The current generation of parents didn't see their friends and family die from these preventable diseases, so it has faded from collective memory how important it is to prevent them from coming back.

I'm not saying that autism is no big deal - from personal experience, because I have severely autistic sister. But I am SO glad that she is not blind, deaf, physically disabled, or dead because my parents caught on to a culture of fear about vaccines that is not based on any scientific fact. People choosing not to vaccinate their children is dangerous to the general population, and I have to say that if myself (pregnant and immuno-compromised) or my children became sick with a preventable disease because of someone not vaccinating their child, they would be hit with the mother of all lawsuits.

The bottom line is that all anecdotal evidence and unproven theories aside, the vaccines have a much lower risk of harm to children than the diseases than can prevent.

Samantha - posted on 05/11/2010

I have a 2 year old daughter. When she was born I chose not to vaccinate her. Her doctor insists on me vaccinating her. I have graciously nodded my head at her doctor's appointments. She is perfectly healthy and has no health problems. On the other hand some of her cousin's close to her age who have been vaccinated have had problems with their ears and been sick on many occasions. I do think there has to be some kind of connection there is no way the vaccines are 100% safe.

Colleen - posted on 05/11/2010

WOW...this thread is what motherhood is all about!
We as mom's need to appreciate our difference of opinion's & respect each others voice.
As for the topic at hand, it will always be controversial. Even if the Autism link to vaccines has been discredited, the shadow of doubt will always be there & so the debate will continue. We have to believe that all moms want what is best for their children but I do think the line should be drawn when it comes down to public safety. I for one would not want my child exposed to a child who could possibly carry mumps, measles, small pox, whooping cough etc...DO YOU?
Yet, I think a person's right to be true to their belief should be respected (Especially a mother's!!) With that said, I CANNOT stand the mom's that have just "hopped on the band-wagon" those are the people who ruin it for the "cause" all of the time.
Just know your facts & be educated. Don't wait for the inevitable law suit (media circus) to be filled against an un-vaccinated family to get a clue....
OUR CHILDREN, OUR RESPONSIBILITY!!!

Jodi - posted on 05/11/2010

Oh, for goodness sake, Jessica, give it up. That is not an unbiased website resource.



And @ Lauren, please provide the information on the study that claims herd immunity is a myth. There are many people who would be interested.

Diana - posted on 05/11/2010

Unfortunately this is one of those very polarizing subjects and there are some fanatics out there. You need to do what you need to do for yourself & family and not worry about anyone else or try to force your viewpoint on anyone else. Do your research-of which there is research on both sides-and make up your own mind.

I personally believe in vaccinations & have never had trouble but I also realize that other people have. Now whether those issues are tied to another pre-existing issue is another topic of study so I'll leave that one alone.

Jessica - posted on 05/11/2010

Your child can go into the public school system without any vaccines.This is a website for Florida http://www.know-vaccines.org/index.html You'll have to do the research for your own location. But, don't let people tell you what you can and cannot do...find the information yourself!

Lauren - posted on 05/11/2010

I agree with the original poster here. Vaccines are a HUGE decision and carry very real risks. That should not be dismissed! I have been researching shots for a couple years now and am now firmly anti-vaccine. It's an intensely personal choice, and every parent should do some thorough reading before deciding.
Btw herd immunity is a myth. :)

Doreen - posted on 05/11/2010

I have five children and not one has any effects from vaccines.

Shari - posted on 05/11/2010

Well said Melissa I agree!!!!!!!

Julie - posted on 05/10/2010

Thanks Alexandra! I agree.

Julie - posted on 05/10/2010

My husband works in the medical field and we also have a son with severe autism. My husbands research show NO evidence of links with vaccinations and autism. We leave the door open that they could (possibly) trigger something in an already compromised immune system. I agree with the previous poster that you should research, and then give the vaccinations you are comfortable with... ie. ask the doctor to not do multiple ones. You can spread out the time frame and amount of shots per you and your childs visit. I do not in any way mean to be divisive, but I am a facts based person and the overwhelming evidence is that there is not a connection (at least w/autism) and vac's. We do know that many diseases can and may reoccur, ie. small pox, measles... and this is most assuredly bad for our children.
With respect, Julie

Nyssa - posted on 05/10/2010

I wasn't going to have the chicken pox vaccine given to my children because I had it and had no problems. We moved to South Dakota, and they are required here to get them before they can start school.

Kathie - posted on 05/10/2010

Hi, can I ask what country doesn't allow unvaccinated children in public schools? In New Zealand there is no question of excluding children from education, but if unvaccinated they will need to be removed from the school for their own safety if there is an outbreak of a serious childhood disease.

Patricia - posted on 05/10/2010

If you do not vaccinate your child, they will not be allowed to attend public school.

Amy - posted on 05/10/2010

My son has received all vaccinations including the H1N1. He has a neuro-muscular disease and his specialists who care about him as much as I do highly recommended it. It was the right choice for MY child. I think that it is up to each parent to decide what is right for his or her child. Discuss your options with your doctors. But please make INFORMED decisions, not those based on fear and lies. And remember that unless you plan on home schooling or sending the children to expensive alternative schools, a public one will not allow attendance without immunizations.

Connie - posted on 05/10/2010

I have had all 4 of my children vaccinated and two are now adults and the other two are teenagers. I do not have a problem with vaccines. I have also never met anyone whose child had any adverse effects. I personally would not risk it. But, then I am old enough to know of children who were not vaccinated and the problems that resulted. Talk with people who lived and were effected by polio, whopping cough, and the other childhood illness that killed so many. Visit a third world country where polio is a huge problem. Life is a risk, waking up each day is no guarantee. I also hope that your unvaccinated children do not pass along any disease that are preventable. I am not sure when the idea came along that there was no risk invovled with anything.

Alexandra - posted on 05/10/2010

There is NO proven link between vaccinations and autism. The one and only valid study that seemed to prove this link was retracted this year (finally) and the doctor who conducted it is facing disciplinary measures. Here is the link to the CBC story http://www.cbc.ca/health/story/2010/02/0... Your 5 friends who all have children with issues probably have nothing to do with the vaccinations. There was a time when epidemics like smallpox, measles and polio killed and crippled millions of children. These diseases have almost been totally eradicated due to vaccines. Currenlty these diseases can still be found in places like Africa, where the are deadly. The World Health Organization is using vaccines there and is saving lives daily. You can find "research" to support almost any claim but research that is not done with proper methodology (controls, wide samples etc etc etc) is just junk science. Likewise you can find websites with all kinds of information but that doesn't mean that any of it is accurate. The proof is found in history. Vaccinations save lives. That's the bottom line. Whatever you feel about pharma companies and doctors the proof is there. Children are healthier today than they were before vaccines came along.

Elizabeth - posted on 05/10/2010

It's a shame people refuse to acknowledge the science. When I was deciding to vaccinate or not, I went to the actual medical articles on the subject. There was no scientific evidence of vaccines causing the autism problems that are attributed to them. The only one that had a different outcome was that now discredited study (at the time it wasn't fully discredited). Reading it then, I knew it was a flawed study with inappropriate sampling, sample size, and statistical tests and hence, at best, a poorly designed study, and at worst, outright fabrication of results.

Cara - posted on 05/10/2010

Naturopathic doctors offer homeopathic vaccines!!!

Mary - posted on 05/10/2010

Update on Autism Rate...although it is not published yet, when the new stats come out it will be closer to 1 in 75. 1 in 150 was 15 years ago from what I understand. This from the National Autism Conference last year. It is an epidemic. Life threatening, permanent, and brutal to everyone involved. If you insist of vaccinating at least find out where in your area to get AMERICAN made vaccinations that are preservative free and for the love of your baby find out about the selective delayed schedules. There are better ways. The truth is that a human being's immune system is not fully intact until around 3-4 years old. Hmmmm...
Personally, my 3 year has had one fever and has thrown up once...she ate ice cream and got hot. My son is over a year old and he has never even run a fever. There is something to be said about a God made immune system. I do pro biotics and every natural thing I can do to protect their immune system and I use some common sense as to where they go. Oh and yes we will be home schooling too. Am I scared of something happening to them...sure I am, but did you know that the whooping cough vaccine only reduces the chances of getting whooping cough by 20% and only covers a couple of strains?? Did you know that it increases the chances of getting Guillian-Barre Syndrome by around 30%? Not to mention if anyone actually pays attention to SIDS reports, many MANY of them happen within 24 hours of having a round of 3-4 vaccines. There, I have said my piece...what do I know about it? I have a Master's in Biology specifically Microbiology. No I am not a Dr..but I do know that antifreeze,streptomycin,duck egg, mercury, aluminum,aborted fetal tissue,rabbit brain,cadmium,and lead are regular ingredients in vaccines. I would not want to be injected with one of these much less all of them and certainly three of four fold every time. Did you know that some vaccine reactions even mimic Shaken Baby Syndrome? You should NEVER be alone with your baby after vaccinations as several dedicated mothers and fathers have been taken to court and even imprisoned for something that the drug companies are responsible for.

Kathie - posted on 05/10/2010

The incidence of diseases such as measles and whooping cough is increasing as vaccination rates drop. These diseases can kill children, especially young babies who have not been fully vaccinated yet. And they get them from older children who haven't been vaccinated. I chose to have my children vaccinated for these type of diseases, but not for ones such as rotovirus and chicken pox which don't tend to be fatal or cause permanent disability.
Your child, your choice, but please also think of other people's children.

Mary - posted on 05/10/2010

Another Website is www.vacinfo.org I am one of those parents who is not going to vaccinate. I train dogs for children with Autism and other mental and physical problems. I would say 95% of my clients say that their child was normal before vaccines and truly believe that vaccines cause their children to have permanent injuries. One of my friends even lost her 2 month old son within 5 hours of having the Pertussis/Whooping Cough Vaccine. There is a book called "A Shot in the Dark". It's horrifying but every parent should read it. And for those of you who have daughters...there is very real concern about the HPV vaccine. You want grandchildren?? There are studies indicating everything from major reproductive problems all the way to death. Tiffany is right, its our children, do the research.

Dawn - posted on 05/10/2010

Wow, talk about a lot of information from many different people. I have an autistic nephew, so I have talked at great lengths with my family about what they chose to do and not do. Non of it revolves around tuning away vaccinations. It's all in how you line them up. I don't agree with giving an infant/toddler/child 3 vaccines in one visit. If there is a reaction, how do you know which one it was? We choose to vaccinate, but with only 2 types at each appointment that requires it. And if our child has been sick we wait at least 3 weeks before getting the required vaccination. It doesn't matter if our child had a fever or not, we do not vaccinate if they are sick. No matter the age. As for the H1N1, a family member in the medical field, highly recommended it. We chose not to do it. Two of our children did get what our pediatriction thought was the H1N1 flue, we watched them, cared for them, managed their fevers and symptoms and they are still here and healthy. No need for the vaccination. As for next year, the H1N1 vaccine will be incorporated in with the traditional flue vaccine. There will not be a choice of one or the other. They are combined. I will say that I am not a fan of the Roto Virus vaccine. It is an oral vaccine given at 2 months and then 2 more times. Our daughter got very sick with Roto symptoms and a bit of blood in her stool. We ruled out allergies from my breastmilk and could only link it to the vaccine. When sharing my concern with my doctors office, they agreed it would be fine to pass on the following Roto virus vaccines. We love that our office is so cooperative and understanding. It's amazing how much trust we can have with them. We feel it is important to have that connection with your doctor and office. If you don't, then find one you have that comfort level with. Think of it this way, if you don't like how you are getting your haircut, are you going to continue to stay with that hairstylist if they don't at least try to make it work?

Jessica - posted on 05/10/2010

People say there's nothing wrong with vaccines and they have no negative effect on our children (minus a small rash), but people are not putting 2 and 2 together! Is anyone aware of the autism rate in this country? 1 in 150, yes 1 out of every 150 children is autistic!! That's terrible! Do you know how many foreign bodies are injected into our children before the first 2 years of their lives?? 26!! That's 26 times that we put know toxic chemicals into our little one's body. And people are blind to think that the heavy metals (aluminum, thimerisol, etc.) and other ingredients (chick embryo, Ammonium, Monkey Kidney Tissue, Chick Kidney Cells) play any type of roll in these drastically increasing statistics of altered human behavior.

Shannon - posted on 05/10/2010

My children are vaccinated, That being said a very close friend of ours son had a reaction to his vaccination, He had compleatly stopped breathing the night of the shots. So then the DR's way of dealing with it because they didn't put two and two together at first was to give him his next round of shots. He now has CP. He will never walk or talk. He was healthy at birth he had a reaction, He is forever changed. I am not saying this will happen to all children but it does happen. Another point is yes the polio vac. worked but some of the monkey's used to make the vac. were sick and now they are connecting fibromilagia with it.

Jessica - posted on 05/10/2010

http://thinktwice.com/ and http://homefirst.com/ are also great websites to get information about vaccinations! I've done my research and I know I'm not vaccinating. I'm NOT putting neurotoxic chemicals into my newborn child (formaldehyde, animal blood, thiomersal, and aluminum just to name a few). I'll keep my child safe by allowing him to build a natural immunity and use proper hygiene.

Jeanine - posted on 05/10/2010

I have never known a child to be harmed by vaccine. I have heard of kids getting terrible diseases from not getting vaccinated though (german measles).

Carol - posted on 05/10/2010

This can be a really hot debatable topic with different opinions etc. we all do what we believe is right for our children our families. I think we need to agree to disagree here. I personally dont vaccinate.
All I can say is do your research & come to your own conclusions.

Stephanie - posted on 05/10/2010

I find it very hard to believe that 5 of your friend kids have been affected by vaccinations, I would suggest there are other causes. I have been a nurse in gereral pratice for 10 years and we have vaccinated literally thousands of children and have NEVER had a child adversely affected. It's interesting that developed nations are the only ones who ever have this conversation. In third world countries they walk for days to get their children to clinics to prevent them dying of hideous, preventable diseases such as measles and whooping cough. I have seen a child cough and gasp until he is blue in the face and just prayed he can get his next breath. Watch a child suffer and even die of that and and you might change your mind. I agree with you that people need to research thoroughly and make up their own minds, but you need to research the disease too, not just the vaccine to truely make an informed decision. Do you really believe that these vaccinations are given with the intent of 'hurting or children'? Yes you are right, our children are too important to make these decisions without being fully informed and our decision making being based in fear.

Keri - posted on 05/10/2010

Hi Virginia! Yes! I imagine that whole thing was scary! I can't believe that they went ahead with those particular vacc. with your being pregnant. I don't know and am obviously no pro! : ) But, I thought that they aren't supposed to do that? I suppose that the live virus types of vacc. would be the most risky, of course.

Virginia - posted on 05/10/2010

my 1 yr old got a contagious rash last year when she got her shots not even 4 weeks before I delivered. The dr.s even tell you that if the child getting the varicalla shot is going to be around a pregnant woman, especially one close to delivery, then they need to postpone the shot because the rash the child can get is just as contagious as the chicken pox itself, and can give other people chicken pox as well.

Tiffiny - posted on 05/10/2010

i am a mom of 3 my oldest son who is 5 is fully vaccinated my 3 yr old and 1 yr. old has been due for shots for 8 mths. i don't agree w/ everything that is on here , but sometimes not everybody has money or insurance to pay for the dr. visits to get the shots. the whole controversy is ridiculous... ur child will be worse off if he or she isn't vaccinated bull-shit is unbelievable... do u really know whats in shots b/c what i heard is that they r actually injecting the virus itself into ur baby so if u want to be tossing at people that they r the bad parent for not having their kids vaccinated then ur a bad parent for injecting ur kids w/ these diseases . it can go both ways . i don't take any sides in this matter but it is the individual opinion to what they choose for their kids and their families not anybody elses

Iridescent - posted on 05/08/2010

" Should children and susceptible persons living in a household with a susceptible pregnant woman be vaccinated?

Yes, all healthy children and adults without evidence of immunity who are living in a household with a susceptible pregnant woman should be vaccinated. Pregnant women without evidence of immunity are at risk of getting chickenpox during pregnancy, and vaccination of household contacts reduces this risk. Although there is a minimal risk that a vaccinated person could get a vaccine rash and spread the vaccine strain virus to the pregnant woman, the benefits of vaccinating susceptible household contacts outweigh the extremely low potential risk for transmission of vaccine virus. "
http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd-vac/vari...

Virginia - posted on 05/08/2010

Keri, One of the shots that they gave her in that horrendous mix WAS the MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella - German Measles) shot and the Varicella (chicken pox) shot. I was less than a month away from having my 3rd child. So not only was it potentially dangerous for my daughter - who broke out in a full body rash, etc from it, but also dangerous for me and the baby. Getting chicken pox while pregnant, esp that close to delivery!!!! Yeah, I was furious. It was obvious I was pregnant so she shouldn't have gotten the shot to begin with. Anyway, it was so not a good day. lol

MARIAH - posted on 05/07/2010

I have done my research in & out. Overall, my only daughter is my life, and keeping her protected is highly important to me. She is fully vaccinated at the age of 2 1/2 and she is absolutely fine. I will continue to keep her updated as I was growing up, and I turned out to be A_OK!!

Iridescent - posted on 05/07/2010

All those that are wondering why it matters to others to have your children vaccinated (not my children, but yours)... It matters greatly to me. I vaccinate myself and my children. But that doesn't matter. Two of my children cannot build antibodies, so regardless of how often they are vaccinated, they really do nothing at all. Titres will always show as not immune. And your unvaccinated children will make them sick. Thanks!

Mary Kate - posted on 05/07/2010

I highly recommend The Vaccine Book by Dr. Robert Sears.

Susan - posted on 05/07/2010

I find this unhelpful as vaccinations are a great medical advance and those who do not have their children vaccinated are putting the rest of us in danger - children for example can die or go deaf as a result of measles. Yes by all means do research in order to be sure. However the valid scientific research points to the benefits of vaccinations. Anecdotal evidence is another matter.

Fiona - posted on 05/07/2010

Ladies , I think I'm going to call it a night and have really appreciated your thoughts and comments, after all this is what's it's all about , whatever we decide to do, one way or another, we are all trying to be the best Mum we know how to be, best of wishes on your own journey