Vaccinations

[tiroph0302]

That is untrue. It has not been "proven" either way. Look it up.

[AAS2007]

Exactly, most states have a form you can sign if your child goes to public school stating why they are not vaccinated and their are different reason you can cite. It is up to you to make the decision and my pediatrician did not harass me when I decided not to have my baby vaccinated and I would suggest maybe finding a different pediatrician if your current one is harassing you if you are able to do this. You are the parent and they should respect your opinions and beliefs. They can give you their opinion but ultimately you have to live with your decision not them. Go with your gut and if you don't feel right about it then take some more time to research it until you feel ok with your decision.

[belle51rams]

I have to chime in here on this topic. I have a 17-month-old daughter and I will admit I am not the most educated on the whole topic of vaccinations and autism. I have done some reading and have kept my ears open. And, it does appear that there are some correlations when some kids have their vaccines and then "all of a sudden" aren't the same anymore. However, NOTHING has been actually proven to relate to these vaccines - and I'm not saying that it makes it ok, but we have to look at the facts. These diseases have been around for a long time and they are deadly. They do the vaccines for a reason. And, even if you think your little baby or child won't come into contact with these diseases... your children grow up and things happen. Do you really want your child to have the risk of a deadly disease because you were too scared of the "what if"? How do you explain that to your child?

Some of you say that you will let your child decide what they want when they get older.. when do you think that will be? 13? 15? 18? Because honestly, at those ages I wouldn't care and you know what, that's the age when they are in the most contact with other people and don't care about that stuff. They don't want to be bothered. So when will they get vaccinated if need be? To me, too late.

Some of you say how your children haven't had the vaccines and have never gotten sick. Well, my child has had all the vaccines up until now and she has never been sick either. Not even a runny nose. No ear infections, no cough.. no nothing!

So, i'm sorry but I can't agree with most of you moms on here. The 2 things I can agree on is it is clearly your choice since your baby doesn't have a voice yet and you should do the research and make an informed decision for yourself.

[psychmom]

Belle51rams asked, "Do you really want your child to have the risk of a deadly disease because you were too scared of the "what if?"

I think it's important to note that, if you look at statistics, most of the diseases we vaccinate for (even when they were running rampant) were VERY RARELY deadly. In fact, the risk of serious illness or death from the disease is often equal to the risk of serious adverse reaction or death from getting a vaccination. In my decision making process, my child being sick (or itchy) for a while by contracting measles, mumps, rubella, chicken pox, etc. is less risky than injecting her with unknown chemicals or chemicals such as formaldehyde (which is in many/most vaccinations).

Also, as far as letting kids choose when they're older: if you look at the data, the risk to children is very minimal for several diseases that we vaccinate against. The risk might be higher when they're older (or if they travel internationally), and many parents choose to let their kids make their own decisions about these vaccinations at that time, or simply have them vaccinated when they're older, rather than injecting chemicals into a dynamically developing child. The period when our society chooses to vaccinate children is a period of exponential development, especially in the brain. If possible, it just makes more sense to me to at least wait until after this critical period of development before bombarding them with chemicals.

A couple things to think about among the many:

Do you know that besides chemical preservatives, etc., some vaccines contain monkey, cow, mouse, or chicken tissue or tissue from human (aborted) embryos? Many parents who vaccinate are opposed to this idea, but don't know what's in the vaccinations. Check out the "Ingredients" link at www.nvic.org or info for US vaccines at www.dgwsoft.co.uk./homepages/vaccines/index.html

Have you considered who profits as well as possible conflicts of interest among those telling us vaccinations are safe and that our children need them? Check out

Conflicts of Interest in Vaccine Policy Making
Majority Staff Report
Committee on Government Reform
U.S. House of Representatives
June 15, 2000

at http://www.nvic.org/COFRpt.htm (as well as many other fantastic links)

[TrubearJ]

We asked the doctor to give my son his vaccines without the ingedient that is linked to autism. She said that vaccines do not have the ingredient in them anymore. I wonder if this is true for you too. ???

[psychmom]

Your doctor's talking about Mercury, which was/is much talked about as the ingredient linked to autism. Mercury is often called "Thimeresol" in vaccinations. Most don't contain it any longer, although some still do. Researchers say it's not a dangerous amount. (I, personally, have reservations.) Almost all flu shots still contain Thimeresol unless you specifically request one without. It's also important to note that no link has been proven or disproven with vaccinations and autism, so, if vaccinations are playing some role in triggering or causing autism, we don't know what ingredient (maybe it's the combination of many?) might be the culprit.

Check the "Ingredients" link on the left side of the home page at www.nvic.org to learn about what's in each vaccine

[TrubearJ]

Thanks. I hadn't read up on Thimerasol, but my sister in law told me about the link. She reads up on alot of research out there. I just think that sometimes it's okay to be cautious.

[KelEMcE]

Ah, the vaccinate-don't vaccinate debate. The only thing that gets a more heated response is probably the breast vs. bottle debate! The first question I'd ask my pediatrician is, are your kids vaccinated??? Do you think any health care professional would risk his/her own child's health? If your doctor is strongly in favor of vaccinations, and you are not, you will feel pressured. But that is probably just your doctor thinking that she is the medical professional with the medical degree doing what's best for the child.

As to the link between autism and MMR vaccines, there is something to be said for the fact that autism is often noticed around the first birthday because that's when pediatricians start asking about language development.

It is possible to find arguments to support ANYTHING you want to support. Everyone knows someone who knows someone with a story. I have a friend with four sons - first one vaccinated, no problems. Second one vaccinated, diagnosed autistic at 14 months. Third one, not vaccinated, diagnosed autistic at 12 months. Fourth son vaccinated, no problems. Go figure. Her third son has had chicken pox and mumps and been very sick. He infected a pregnant preschool teacher who had complications due to the disease.

Just remember - if you choose not to vaccinate, your child IS at risk if he/she is exposed to the disease. The more people who don't vaccinate, the more likely we are to see an increase in previously-eradicated diseases. Most of us are always doing what we think is best for our kids, and that includes making the decision about vaccinations. .

[KelEMcE]

psychmom, if your child gets rubella as an adult, it can cause birth defects or miscarriage. chicken pox is dangerous as an adult. so if you don't vaccinate your kids against these, make sure to warn them once they are old enough to make a choice. or do what our moms did - when the neighbor kids got chicken pox, everyone else was sent over to play to just get it and get on with it. Yikes.

[tiroph0302]

KelEMcE You are absolutley correct chicken pox is dangerous as an adult. But did you know that the chicken pox shot is only good for 10 years? That either requires that you get a shot every ten years or run the risk of adult onset chicken pox which can be life threatining. Whith all due respect please do some research before advicating these vaccines.