Any Other Moms Not Vaccinating?

Hi! Nice to see another non-vaxing parent in the city! I just moved up here last fall, so we're still arguing with our insurance company about which doctor -- finding a doc is not as hard as finding one the insurance covers!
Anyway, Homefirst (with offices in the city and burbs) is very cool about not vaxing. Dr. Minkus, who is in Skokie/Lincolnwood, is who we are about to try on the recommendation that he is also very laid back about vaccinations. I have also heard that Mary Orth, a nurse practitioner at UIC, Jennfer Hartman, a nurse practitioner at Town and Country Pediatrics, and Dr. Lois Miller(?)...I can't remember where I heard she was from! sorry...

anyway, if you're interested and are in the city, there is also a meet-up group called Hip Mama (www.meetup.com) where more info on alternative parenting can be garnered.

I am from south suburbs of Illinois and my 3 sons have NOT been vaccinated and I stopped vaccinating my oldest daughter after more research. The doctor just writes on the physicals that parents choose not to vaccinate and we have a note on record explaining our choice and we have not had problems with our sons registering for school. I even was able to fill out a waiver when my oldest daughter first went off to college to avoid her having to get shots for college. All has been well so far, Praise God. Plus their health is just fine and they all are honor roll students.

I have always waited 9-12 months longer that the "scheduled" shots. Plus, I do not let them give like 6 vaccines at one time EVER. I get 2-3 and come back a different day. I just think some vaccines are important, but I want my kids to be bigger to fight them off.
I have not had any problems with my Ped. I just do not specifically tell them my plan. When I go for their normal check-ups I say they just got over a cold...or they are teething...etc, and I do not want to stress their body anymore until they are healthy. They do remind me often that I am behind, but it is usually when I am there because someone is sick...so I have the same excuse again. By the time we reach school age they are all caught up.
Good Luck.
J.

I believe you can request vaccinations without Thermisol if you choose. We get it without Thermisol (preservative w/mercury) for flu shots.

i am a non vaccinating mom, i have done my research and have decided that the risks of getting the vaccines far outweight the risks of getting the actual disease. i haven't had any problems with my doctor, he understands my view and supports my decision. if he didn't support that decision i would find another doctor. along with not vaccinating, i understand that if my child gets ill with a disease (chicken pox, mumps, etc.), i have to deal with it. it's the same for the vaccinating parents, if they chose to vaccinate and their child has a reaction, they are the ones that have to deal with it.

the state cannot deny your child an education. they HAVE to let your child attend public school, all you have to do is file a religious or medical exemption. if you file religious, the school cannot question you. (remember those amendments - freedom of religion).

i would encourage you to do your research and weigh the pros and cons very seriously, these decisions could affect your child for his/her lifetime. check out www.indianabirthchoices.com or www.indianavaxornot.com or www.vacinfo.org and feel free to ask questions.

BTW, if you read the package insert (that your doctor can provide) the risk of death is higher with vaccines than from the disease.

there is more than mercury in vaccines to worry about.

good luck on your information journey.
C.

After doing ALOT of research, we don't vaccinate anymore. We also try to keep our systems healthier by eating better, etc.. Most think you can't enter school without shots. NOT true. Now knowing what I know, I don't think I could ever consider putting that poison into my children. A great neutral book is Dr. Sears on vaccines, a factual DVD is by Dr. Sherry Tenpenny, and an easy to read factual book is by Neil Miller.

Well, school will always be a challenge. However you can retrieve forms that allow you to what they call "opt" out to aid in this. Good luck! Mom of a 15 yr old beautiful girl who is allergic to MMR vaccine.