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.

[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.