Would anyone like to see a forum for Vaccines?

[AJH84]

Hi all,

I have noticed in this forum and in the Maternal & Child forum that posts come up every so often about vaccines. People seem to have a lot of concerns about them and/or just seem uneducated about them.
Yesterday I contacted MedHelp to suggest they create a forum specifically for vaccines. With all the risks and benefits they have, I think such a forum would help educate a lot of people and parents.
What do you guys think?
If you like the idea, would you contact MedHelp to make the suggestion also?
Thanks everyone,
AJ

[AJH84]

Oops, I meant for my first sentence to be "...in this forum and the Child Behavior forum..."

The technical writer making editing mistakes--go figure!

[tomel]

I think that is a great idea..however if it is a forum where the doctor answers questions...he/she will most likely tell anyone and everyone that they should immunize with all of the vaccines...I do not feel they would be unbiased on the subject...but if it is a forum where mothers share their opinion or experience great.....but be prepared for some nasty attacks from people

[ImmortalOne]

I don't know if an entire forum specifically for Vaccines would be needed, however I can see how it could be helpful in some ways.

[AJH84]

You're probably right about a doctor being biased, but I also wonder if they assigned a doctor to such a forum if 1) people might be more inclined to actually get informed rather than just go to a doctor thinking, "Time to get my kid their shots, although I have no idea which ones or what they're for" and 2) the doctor might actually have his/her perspective changed a little when he/she sees all the questions and concerns coming in (and if not, either way, I'll bet some eyes will be opened).

[ImmortalOne]

Well after speaking to my pediatrician I was a lot more at ease than before, especially since he agreed to hold off on the series of shots, and then assured me that he hasn't used mercury preservative vaccinations since the 90's and agreed it was a really bad issue.

[peekawho]

I feel like there are too many forums already.  There will be a forum for Hangnails soon.  And Jock Itch.

There is a wealth of info on the internet for anyone to look up and read about the issues involved with vaccines.

Basically, if someone doesn't want to vaccinate, they can opt out any # of ways, so what's the issue?
.  Your children will be protected (usually) because the vast majority of children and adults have been vaccinated.  There are still some cases being reported, usually in unvaccinated or improperly vaccinated children.

So your children probably will be ok, since most others are vaccinated.  The big problems will arise, if more and more people choose not to vaccinate.  Then there will be a resurgence of the illnesses that used to be responsible for a significant amount of morbidity and mortality.  

[AJH84]

Lol--I think I'll officially leave MedHelp the day they create a forum for hangnails or jock itch!

You're right about so much info already out there, but isn't that the case with the many, many other forums here also? Yet still people come to this site to ask questions they could find the answers to themselves if they did a little research. But I think people like that end up coming here instead to have the research and info found for them. However, at least they're interested enough to care.

That's why I wanted to suggest a forum for vaccines. I think it would help so many people learn more facts, opinions, and experiences, especially the people who aren't motivated and/or educated enough to find the facts themselves.

[AndiJ78]

It won't stop the quesitons from being asked here. Even with the fertility forum, we still get the same questions asked here. With the Women's forum we still get questions posted here as well, same with the Relationship's forum, etc.

But I agree, MH has a forum for eveyrthing now ; ) Soon there will be one for anal leakeage related to Alli

[tomel]

I agree with you.....there is tons of info out there regarding every question asked on this forum.....information isnt what people are looking for here...they are looking for people actual experience......information can be given by anyone.....half of the info out there on maternal stuff is from doctors who are men.....catch my drift
I think it is a great idea to have a forum on immunizations....because statistics and numbers dont mean anything without talking to people who have experienced something themselves first hand