The Great Vaccination Debate...

[LosingMyMindInGA]

I'm posting this here because I believe it is useful information for parents-to-be who are debating whether to vaccinate or not.  This is a very controversial subject for many people so lets PLEASE keep our comments clean and respectful.

http://health.yahoo.net/experts/dayinhealth/measles-outbreak-how-to-protect-yourself

This article discusses how measles are making a big comback in the United States and they find that the majority of the cases are in those who are unvaccinated.  They attribute this to the boom of parents who have not had their children receive the necessary childhood vaccinations because of the belief that they can lead to autism. This claim has been disproved by a lot of research.  

Personally I have ALWAYS felt that to vaccinate is far better than to not.  For me the minimal risks of adverse reactions associated with the vaccinations far outweighed the potential life threatening affects of the diseases that can be contracted without them. I have an uncle who is a polio survivor, I know what he went through/goes through and he is one of the lucky ones, he had a mild case of polio.  I also feel (and again it's personal and does not mean that I will dislike or hold it against someone else for their choices) that children who are not vaccinated put others at higher risk.  Simply because they are far more likely to contract one of these illnesses and create a larger exposure to these viruses in areas where they are limited.

Anyway, this is just personal opinion.  My point in posting this was to give other parents some very useful information for when they are deciding whether to vaccinate or not.

[SunWorshiper_26]

There was a new article just released suggesting that autism may be linked to not taking prenatal vitamins. It is an interesting read

[mami2karina]

My husband is from mexico and the only vaccination he has ever received in his life is the polio vaccine, it's the ONLY one they give where he is from, my ex-husband was from Mexico City and only received that vaccine as well. He is very healthy as are his 10 brothers and sisters, his parents and he has over 75 nieces and nephews who are perfectly healthy as well. And they have all only received the polio vaccine in their lives, nothing else. And they say that 3rd world countries are worse blah blah blah and they have sicker. My husband has never been sick enough to even see a doctor in his life, maybe a cold but that is it.

[sweetpea03]

I'm not looking to criticize anyone and don't look down on those who don't vaccinate. I only hope that people have good information that they are going off of and have done their research.The people who are not vaccinated do rely on others who are vaccinated in order to stay healthy, as it is called the herding effect(Reduction of transmission of the target pathogen in a population in which a proportion become immune due to vaccination (“herd protection”)). If most people are vaccinated, then transmission of a disease won't happen, making even those not vaccinated to be safe. If everyone was not vaccinated, then diseases would spread easily and rapidly. There was a time about a couple decades ago when a number of people were not getting vaccinated and if you look at the numbers, people with preventable diseases sky rocketed at that time.  

The CDC has good information on all of it and it's an easy read compared to medical journals:
http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vac-gen/default.htm

[chantal21]

LOL thanks Ivy ;)  And I do agree we are all just doing the best that we can, and none of us would deliberately put our children or families at risk.

[Michele, Katy, TX]

I agree Clysta.  I have had some of my kids stay healthier than others.  All have been breastfed.  I still believe breastfeeding is best, but sometimes your kids will get sick no matter what you do.  In my case, one gets something and then passes it to everyone else in the house.  Just part of having a large family I guess.  I also agree that the diseases are far worse than the risks, as there is a risk with everything, including not immunizing.  I don't criticize or ridicule anyone, whether I agree w/ them or not but I just wanted to also point out that not immunizing is also a risk.  That's all.  

These diseases have been gone for years, because of these immunizations, whereas years ago, many died from these diseases.  That's why the vaccines were made to begin with.

It's true sweetpea about making sure that WHATEVER research is done on WHATEVER topic is reliable sources, because whatever you look for on the internet, you will find.  The Center for Disease Control probably is the best place.  They have been around for a long time, and literally make it their life's work to try to keep our kids healthy.

In the end, each mom has to do what she thinks is best.  I am glad my kids are protected though.  With many people choosing not to vaccinate today, and with some of these diseases starting to come back, I am really glad all mine are current.

[Ashelen]

Well Chantal I DO think you're wacko, but it has nothing to do with vaccinating or not vaccinating ;-) LOL. Love you!

As I said before...we are all only doing the very best we can.

[LosingMyMindInGA]

We all have our own feelings and beliefs about vaccinations, and we are all entitled to those. We make decisions for our children based on that.  So long as it is not illegal (and not vaccinating is NOT illegal if done for personal or religious beliefs) then there's nothing wrong with it.  

I personally would never NOT consider vaccinatign my kids...BUT I totally and completely understand the reasons why someone else chooses not to.  

This post is simply for putting out good information for those who are still in the decision making process.  

:)

[chantal21]

I just want to be clear that I do not believe that by not vaccinating, I am in no way relying on others to be vaccinated for my children to be healthy. That is not true by any means. It's quite the opposite but I'm not here to debate about it. I've done a good deal of research and this is what I've decided.  I do believe we are talking about reasons why people vaccinate and why others don't. What works for one person may not work for someone else. And that goes for all aspects of life not just vaccines. I will always be ridiculed on this site for what I believe and what I hold to and that's fine. I think those wanting to vaccinate or not should get info on both sides and make their own decision. I know the majority will vaccinate and that's a personal decision. :) I don't look down on anyone who vaccinates and I would appreciate the same respect as well.

mami2karina, thank you for understanding. My husband and I are doing what we feel is best for our family. My husband is one of 8 and no one in his family is vaccinated and they are all doing just fine.

I could go on more but I'm sure my hormones would get the best of me. ;) haha all I want to say is truly do the research and talk to others who vaccinate and who do not and get both sides of the story. Education is key. :)

[sweetpea03]

Here are some good sites to look at:

http://www.aap.org/immunization/families/faq/VaccineStudies.pdf

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21604987

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21600950

[sweetpea03]

I do think vaccines are great and very important to get. Those who are not vaccinated are relying on all others around them to be vaccinated in order for them to stay healthy. That is a very risky move to take. My mother's friend did not vaccinate her children, for reasons that she had, and her son passed away a couple years ago after contracting meningitis. That could have been prevented had he been vaccinated. The amount of incorrect information on the web is scary regarding vaccines, so it's important to look at where you are getting your information when researching about this topic. You can get information from the CDC and other reliable resources to do your research. The small side effects, like getting a cold/sick afterward, is very small compared to what can happen with contracting a preventable disease. I urge everyone to do their research and really think about it.  

[Clysta]

I think with immune systems it can go either way. I mean, you didn't get what they vaccinated for right? at least not much. (flu shots don't count as they can't predict the virus and only go on last years most popular strain) I too have a bad immune system, but I always have. My husband and his family were all immunized and they rarely get sick. Luck of the draw is all it seems to be.

[mami2karina]

I don't think you're wacko and I don't blame you. I was the same way as you, had all my vaccinations and came down with everything under the sun, on meds all the time,etc. My immune system is not good either. I really did not want to vaccinate my 2nd, I had a horrible feeling. I still hate taking him to get his shots, thank God he's done until Kindergarten. But he gets so sick after he gets them, neither of my other 2 get sick like that. My SIL had my nephew vaccinated and gave him the stupid swine flu/flu combo and he was sooooooo sick afterwards. My brother was mad because she didn't even ask him and he didn't want his son to get it. I don't judge you at all, I know other women who don't vaccinate, one with a son with autism and she swears it was from the vaccines. My mom gave me some info in the past that showed what some of the shots contain like abort fetal cells and such. I don't want that in my child but the pediatrician forced me into it.

[chantal21]

http://www.mercola.com/article/vaccines/against_natural_processes.aspx

I'm sure I'll be the only wacko on here who doesn't vaccinate, but I have my reasons for not doing so and have lots of friends who don't as well. My first son, only had a couple of vaccines (the ones my homeopathic doc recommended he should get) Well he got the whooping cough vaccine and what do you think he ended up with at just 5 months old? Whooping cough. It was a nightmare for 2 months straight.

My second son, was only vaccinated because he had a rare liver disease and his immune system was so compromised to begin with, if he had gotten a simple cold, it could have been life threatening. (he was going to have a liver transplant and once you get one, you can no longer receive any live vaccines anyway so he needed all of them early on) He is no longer with us, but I understand why he actually needed to be vaccinated.

I was vaccinated as a child and used to get every sickness that came down the pike and was on anti-biotics for most of my life. My immune system is just horrible to this day.
My brother and sister were never vaccinated and they are 2 of the healthiest kids I know with great immune systems.

It's not for everyone and vaccines haven't been proven to prevent life threatening diseases, not to mention some of the horrible things they add to vaccines.
I'm not willing to take the risk and my 3 year old has been just fine as well as my brother and sister and all the kids and families that I know who do not vaccinate.

But we all need to do what we feel is best for our family. Right now, this is the best option for my family.

[Michele, Katy, TX]

Hmmm...that's interesting GA.  I will have to ask and pay more attention.  Here ours do get the 2, 4, and 6 month shots.  I think they get more at like 12 months, 15 months and 18 months.  But they don't get as many by that time.  I just took Mary a couple of weeks ago and got her 15 and 18 month shots together because it was only 3 sticks.  She should be good until she's 4 I think.  The 4 year appt. is the "bad" one.  They get boosters I believe, and then get poked in their finger and then their arm for something.  Can't remember off the top of my head.  They do get the boosters like you said, at about 12.  They have also started the Guardasil vaccine here.  

I will def ask about the thing at birth, but I don't recall ever hearing about or being told about it.  But I also know that vaccine requirements probably vary somewhat state to state, although I don't know how much.

[LosingMyMindInGA]

In my experience they give the Hep B in the hospital. Some hospitals ask if you want to give a vitamin K shot as well.  I've always gone ahead and signed a release to do the Hep B in the hospital and have not had any ill experiences out of 5 kids.  As for the immunization schedule they get shots typically at 2, 4, and 6 months then age 2, 3 (sometimes 4) and 5.  Then some of them they get boosters around like 12.  Some vaccines have to be given in 2-3 doses spread out for effectiveness.  

[Michele, Katy, TX]

I don't think they vaccinate here in the hospital.  The only poke that our babies get is the PKU test, which is given by taking blood from the infant's heel at birth, and then again when they are 2 weeks old.  Here, at least where I have delivered, they don't even take the babies out of your room unless your request it.  One hospital even bathed my little one in our room.  So, I don't think all hospitals do it but I would certainly ask.  I would think they have to inform you BEFORE doing it and I have never been told or seen a foreign bandaid on my infants.  Just the on the heel.

I have no problem w/ the flu shot, but I did get it for my kids one year and most of them ended up w/ the flu; a couple of them twice.  But those vaccines only protect against like 3 flu viruses and there are literally thousands out there so I don't know how much it helps but again, I have no problem w/ the vaccine.  When I worked, I used to get it every year, because they gave them to us and our spouses for free.  I am home now and homeschool my kids, so we are at lower risk.

[Ashelen]

I've vaccinated both of them as well. As a person who has autism in my family (2 autistic cousins) I've researched it highly and feel that there is a genetic/environmental trigger, and I feel that the benefits FAR outweigh the risks for getting vaccinations...so both of my little ones are protected. I would not bash a woman who chooses not to, but no one will ever change my mind - #3 will be vaccinated as well (not even conceived yet lol), any any more we choose to have in the future. I will never be able to justify to myself not vaccinating, although again - I have no problem with people who feel it's not right for their family. After all, we're all only doing the best we feel we can.

[Clysta]

I vaccinated as well. The diseases themselves are far worse in my opinion. Many cite that autism is on the rise, BUT it's not only in the US. We're on par with Third World countries, and many of them don't vaccinate either.

[mami2karina]

They give the hepatitis shot in the hospital but you can refuse it.

[AmyG89]

Sorry to sound ignorant about this subject but this baby will be my first so I don't know anything about this. They give shots at the hospital after birth? I wasn't aware of that. What is the normal immunization schedule? I do plan on vaccinating my son, I just want to learn when the best time is. Also, is it recommended that you spread the vaccines out over the course of a few months or get them all at the same time?

Thank you for posting this, very helpful information.

[vacuumprincess]

When my daughter  (now 6 yrs) was born, I did refuse the hepatitis shot in the hospital & opted for her to get it a month later.  At the time she seemed so new & fragile.  also all the stuff about shots & autism was all over the news.

Do they still give hepatitis shots at birth?  Is that the only shot given at birth?

When I became pregnant this last fall, my husband & I did some thinking on whether or not I should get a flu shot.  I was unsure.  He really wanted me to get one.  After some consideration, I did get the flu shot, since I was UNSURE myself, & he was so positive.  I thought... well, this is his child too, we have to come to compromises in all things regarding its wellbeing.  About 2 weeks after the shot, I got really sick.  I couldn't really take anything, because I was pregnant!!!  I still don't know if I got sick because of the shot, or just because.  I had flu like stuff for a few weeks - a month.  My family had it too.  Maybe I would have been a lot worse if I hadn't gotten the shot.  Who knows.

I read an earlier post about polio....  My dads brother DIED from polio.  He had no vaccine.

[mami2karina]

I opted not to get the flu shot for myself or my kids because the vaccines they were given here were flu and swine flu combo and I did NOT want any of use receiving the swine flu vaccine. My 2 year old got the swine flu when he was 8 months old and while he was sick, it wasn't that bad, he's fine now and the side effects from the vaccine weren't worth the risk to me.

[Michele, Katy, TX]

All 6 of my kids have had their vaccinations.  I've never been asked about vaccinating at the hospital.  I have never heard of that.  But I think 2 months is early enough.  I do try to limit how much my kids are around other people and out in public, until they start vaccinations.  Doctors will recommend the same thing.  As far as side effects...some of mine have gotten the slight fever or loose stools for a day or so and some have not gotten any type of side effects at all.  I now just give them some Tyelnol/Motrin right before I leave home for my appointment.  Next month is my 3 year old's 4 year appointment and that one is the worst.  Um yeah, my husband will be doing that appointment.  LOL!

[LosingMyMindInGA]

I even made my kids get the flu shots this year.  The health department was doing them at the schools free of charge.  My kids were NOT happy that I chose for them to get the shot rather than the mist.  The mist contains the live virus.  The shot has the weakened one.  Oh well...none of them got the flu :)