Vaccines

If that is what you want to do then go ahead but for me that isn't a option due to my youngest having Cystic Fibrosis. In her life she has had so many needles. I rather see her cry and scream for a few mins instead of being in the hospitial for 3 weeks This is JMO!!!!!

A.~

I watched my child develop normally and vaccinated him each and every time I was supposed to. I also watched my child lose several skills such as talking, and I was there for the diagnosis of Autism. I wish I would have recieved this advice before it was too late. To lessen the risks of reaction, seperate the MMR shots with 3 months inbetween each shot. And yes, it has been proven that the flu shot still contains mercury.
Is it still possible my child would have autism without vaccinating? I don't know, they are still arguing the facts, but it seems to me it doesn't hurt to research more before you listen to the doctors. I learned the hard way they don't know it all.

As both a pediatric nurse and mother to 2 young boys, I am a strong promoter of vaccinating your children.

Overall, the more research you do, the more information you will find to support both sides of the argument. My encouragement to you is to do some solid researching - especially noting the sources (what credentials to the authors of the studies have? Did they study a large population sampling, or just a small sector to support their own hypothesis?).

Again, as a nurse in Chicago's Children's Hospital, I have cared for several infants (too young to get the vaccine yet) and some older children (who did not get vaccinated) struggle to take a breath and turn blue with the effects of pertussis. It is not pretty! This is just one example of the potential effects of not vaccinating our children - not only are our own children at risk, but they run the risk of infecting other innocent children (especially newborn infants too young to receive vaccines yet).

Vaccines can be a little scary, yes! There are a lot of stories out there! Eventhough I had given vaccinations to children as a nurse, when it came to my own children I still did the research again - and came to the conclusion that it was in my children's best interest to have them vaccinated.

You have to be comfortable with your decision as your child's parent. So, do the research and talk with your doctor. If you are concerned about giving multiple shots at one time, most doctors will work with that and spread it out a little. Just keep the lines of communication open!

Good luck researching!
~H.

Hiya K. C,
Wow, I see a lot of mom's have responded to your concern. I do believe vaccines are important and essential. You are putting a small dose of sickness into the kids' body so that their immune system develops antibodies to help fight the real thing. I agree with several of the moms, you need to vaccinate your child. If you don't, YOU WILL be in trouble and be reported to Child Protective Services by your doctor or others. My daughter is currently updated on her shots and she is the FIRST infant recipient to receive a 5-organ transplant. So being a transplant recipient, my daughter has VERY low immunity and is susceptible to anything. So having all the vaccinations, except the Varicella shot (chickenpox) which is a live vaccine, my daughter has the ability to fight the fights that can be won and not die as a result out of ignorance. Being a medical mom, I will do everything in my power to make certain my daughter is protected from any danger. Keep in mind, you had your shots, why would you want to risk your child's life when it's worked for you? So in the end, the REAL question is how much value do you place on your child's life? And is it worth being accused of voluntary manslaughter due to beliefs or ignorance?

I have decided not to give my son th eMMR shot until I can find a doctor that will give it to him seperately. I feel that the chances of him getting Measels, Mumps or Rubela are far less than the 1 in 94 boys who have autisim. No, it has not been proven that this vaccine is that cause but they can not rule it out either. If you go to the CDC website they have put a statement out saying just that. I homeschool my children so it is not a problem for me about enrolling him in school and I have 2 other children that were vaccinated with everything the doctor told me to do. Then someone told me I don't have to do evryting the doctoer tells me, they are MY children. CPS has alot bigger problems than worring about who is giving their child the shots recommended by the CDC. JMO
IT IS NOT AGAINST THE LAW TO NOT VACCINATE YOUR CHILD! PEOPLE NEED TO DO THEIR RESEARCH BEFORE THEY SPEAK!

Hey I had never really had a problem with I was nieve and thought oh that won't ever happen to me. However, my 5 year old had her shots just a few weeks ago and for the first time ever she had a bad reaction to one of the vaccines her leg swelled from the very top of her leg down to her knee and all across her leg. Since then I have decided that no matter what I will not allow my girls to get more than 2 at a time. They almost always get 4 at a time. I have decided that is uncalled for because they were not able to tell exactly what vaccine caused the reaction they were guessing it was the DTaP. When its my child a guess is not good enough. I also think that it is crazy that there is a vaccine for everything. I never had to get 4 at a time and usually they could combine the vaccines so it was one shot not two. Now they won't do that at my Drs office. It is completely up to you YOU are the parent. However there are many vaccines that are state and school required so think about it. Weigh the risks and bennifits. Thats about all I can say hope this helps.

My husband did A LOT of research before we vaccinated our kids. He is a very intelligent man (has two engineering degrees and a master's degree), and is not willing to make a decision based solely on what most people do or feel. I also did some of my own research (I have a Medical Technology degree). Our conclusion, based on all the information we gathered, was that the big danger linking vaccines to Autism is Thimerosal. Thimerosal is a mercury product, and the amounts present is vaccines at one time were many, many times above the recommended exposure rate. Because of this, we told our doctors that if the vaccines didn't have thimerosal, we would allow the vaccines. Our doctor checked the packaging, and none of the vaccines contained Thimerosal any more.

The one exception we made was the Varicella (chicken pox) vaccine. Because this is a relatively new vaccine and Chicken Pox at a young age is usually uncomfortable but harmless in the long run, and as an adult it can be very dangerous, we feel there is not enough known about the vaccine to agree to using it. We don't have school-aged children yet, so we'll cross the school requirements bridge when we get there, but public schools can't deny an education because of your beliefs about vaccines. Our opinion is that if our kids haven't been exposed to Chicken Pox by the time they are in high school, then we'll consider using the vaccine. But, natural immunity is MUCH more effective than a vaccine that will need to be repeated in the future. If my kids are like me, they won't voluntarily have a needle stuck in their muscle for something they don't see as a real threat (I've had bad experiences with vaccines). If I can expose my kids to Chicken Pox, I will. In twenty years or so when there has been a lot more studies of the effects on children who had received the vaccine (assuming no negative side effects), it won't be as big a deal. I just don't want my kids to be part of the experiment.

Good Lord, no, CPS doesn't interfere when it comes to pumping your child full of preventative medicine, that's your choice. They will, however, step in if your child gets polio and you fail to seek help for the illness. No matter what Lisa keeps writing, her information is wrong. Immunizations are still a choice for parents (otherwise, you couldn't take your baby from the hospital without the HepB vac or leave the doctor's office at 2 months with out that first round of shots).

While the schools will tell you that you can't put your kids in school without them, it's not entirely true. I know most people are told this and you believe them at their word, but how do you think Christian Scientists are able to send their kids to school? This is a religion based on prayer over medicine and they are still allowed to attend public schools. The truth is, the government has ruled that they don't have the right to tell you what to put in your kids' system.
Private schools are a different story.

Here is government info on vaccinations. You will find no where in it anything that says CPS will step in. You just have to jump through their hoops to get your kids in school if you chose not to vaccinate. I hope it's helpful.
http://www.909shot.com/state-site/state-exemptions.htm
http://www.in.gov/isdh/programs/immunization/FrequentlyAs...
http://www.vaclib.org/exempt/indiana.htm

For the record, I do immunize my child, but I didn't want this rumor to be continued to spread. I did a lot of research before deciding on immunizations and this is one thing I looked at. I will skip things that aren't life-threatening such as chicken pox.

Here's one little fact to keep in mind: Polio was on a decline around the time they developed the vaccine. The number of polio cases in the US actually went up after they vaccine was introduced and regularly administered. Just something to keep in mind when you think vaccines always prevent illness!

I believe that the way you feel is normal. I felt the same way. I didnt want my daughter to get the shots because of the Autism link. However, the more i thought and studied up on this issue, I realized not only would I put other children at risk of exposure but i was going to put my own child at risk. There is a reason we all have to get these vaccines. Otherwise diseases that have gone extinct will start to show up again. They can be deadly and that is selfish to expose someone elses child to the disease because you didnt get your child vaccinated. I talked to my doctor about this issue and was reassured that if i felt that strongly about the shots that I could have my daughter only get one shot at a time but still keep her safe as well as other children safe.

K.,

Vaccines are very important for your child. They protect him from many diseases and illnesses. Deciding to halt them is a very bad decision.

Besides, if you ever need a daycare or when he starts school, his shot records have to be up to date or he can't go. This is a law.

If I were you, I would rethink my decision.

B. T.

Hi K.,
I have a 7 year old daughter and have always kept her up to date with all vaccines because as children get to be 3-5 and involved in any sports activities, school, day care etc. You will need to show proof that your child has all the updated shots. You may run into snags if you do not provide. Just my thoughts...

The pain of watching your child struggle with a disease would be a million times harder than watching them get a shot. Autism....it's a just a theory, the damage these diseases cause is proven and painful

I have given my older two all their shots....It hasn't done anything to them so I'm going to go ahead and give my youngest all his shots...He hasn't had any reaction to any of them so far....And it will make it a lot easier for him when it is time for school because they have to have all their shots or they aren't allowed into school...

I personally don't understand why some choose not to vaccinate children. I know some of the things that people can be afraid of, but frankly those theories don't hold much water when you look at the facts and statistics. I see nothing wrong in delaying vaccines for a child that has health issues (perhaps something with the immune system) or if the child was born premature. But to not vaccinate just b/c of some things that there is no evidence to support doesn't seem worth it to me.

There has been no study linking vaccines with any type of problems. There has been a random linking of autism with vaccines but it would be comparable to saying drinking coke a cola leads to breast cancer because 42% of cancer patients drank coke over the 29% who drank pepsi.

The secondary and more prominent reason to continue with shots is schooling. Unless you intend on home schooling your child they will not allow them in without certain shots. This includes grade school through and including college.

I believe that the benefits of vaccinations far outweigh any risks. Vaccinations have irradicated some horrible diseases from our country. Do your research and make an informed decision before you change your mind. If everyone were to stop giving their children vaccinations, eventually these diseases would be on the rise again. I know that it is painful to watch your child get a shot, but it will help keep him healthy.

I don't like for my son to get them. However, if it keeps him from getting deathly ill than so be it. I'm pretty sure they aren't allowed in school with out vaccinations though. At least thats how it is here.

I have a friend who has a one year old daughter who has never had a vaccination and was shocked to hear so. All 3 of my children have had them and they never had any problems. I guess my concern is that I'm more afraid of what will happen if I don't get them as opposed to if they do get them. I guess it's up to you.

I personally feel shots are necessary. I know that they are also required for the child to attend school. Is there a reason you don't want him to have the shots?

I know you've gotten a ton of responses, but I only wanted to add that my daughter was almost not permitted to come back to kindergarten because the school realized she wasn't up to date on her shots. It was actually because she had just turned 5 on August 8th, and hadn't had her 5 year check up yet, but I actually had to call and make a special appointment just to get the shot part of the check up done so that she'd be able to continue attending school. I think it's important to realize that if you're not going to vaccinate, that you should also think about homeschooling. It's dangerous for your child and also for other children, to be around a public environment like school where everything is so hands on, due to the chances of a disease breaking out and infecting little ones.

I think some vaccines are ok for the kid but I've seen bad reactions to vaccines several times. I don't think you should blindly go along with all vaccines, talk to your dr instead about your individual case & see if the dr thinks your child is at risk for a reaction to the vaccines. a good friend of mine took her normal 9 month old in for a vaccine (MMR I think) and Freja ended up with severe reaction to the shot & now has high end autism as a result.

I'm not sure why you are deciding to stop the shots altogether. I'm not sure if you've heard something about the fact that they dilute the stuff in a form of mercury or not. If that is the reasoning then don't worry. They have vaccines without that in them. You can always ask to make sure the mercury is not contained in them. My daughter is 11 months old and she has all of her vaccines. I work in a nursing home and I never know what I might be bringing home even if I'm not getting sick from it. I see nothing wrong with vaccines one way or another. It is all based on what you want for your kids!

I agree, I am just worried about getting in trouble with CPS if I fail to get my child vaccinated. Another issue is what about school requirements for vaccinations? Do you have any ideas on how to get around all these barriers?

Many schools make it difficult for children who have not been immunized. It is very scary because who knows what is in those nasty shots and I've heard horror stories galore. Talk to your pediatrician. Ask to see the ingredient list asnd make sure there aren't metal or preservatives in the vaccines. The CDC (cdc.org) has a ton of great information and so does generationrescue.org (mostly about the MMR vaccine that scares me to death). I'm struggling with this question too for my 4 mo. old. Another option is to get the shots one at a time which is a huge time commitment but helps reduce complications. Good luck!

You REALLY need to look into it before you do it. Most kids get them for a reason. Why aren't you getting them fo rhim? Before you decide...look into it. I have family members who don't see any kind of doctors of get vaccines for religious reasons and there are ALWAYS health problems.

Hi! When my son, Josh, was 9 months old he had a reaction to his immunizations with a very high fever which he also did with the previous immunizations he received at 2 months, 4 months and 6 months with a temp of 105.0 degrees. Scared us, but with Tylenol, after a few days this went away. Dr. West recommended that we continue with his scheduled immunizations but with only a half dose. Josh received the full benefit with just using half doses. Ask your baby's doctor about this. Josh is now 24 years old and he is 6'2" 170 lbs and very health. He never had another adverse affect again with having 1/2 doses. I also have a 16 yr old boy and an 8 year old boy and we did the same with them just incase they had the same reaction. They did fine! The positive affects far outweigh not having your baby immunized, even with the scare of baby immunizations and autism. I read recently that there is actually no link. P.

Hi K.,

You are not breaking the law, nor does CPS have a right to investigate you for postponing vaccines or choosing not to administer tham at all. You are not abusing or neglecting your child. You have an objection for your own reasons, which is not against the law. Go to this website for more info http://www.thinktwice.com/vaccine.htm

I have given my 2 year old son a few, but widely spaced across time, and I watch him carefully for any reactions. He is a normal, healthy, happy boy, and very engaged with myself and my husband. He is home with me and not in daycare, and I do not regret my decision to be very selective and careful about what I allow to go into my son's sensitive system. This is a responsible way to parent, along with breastfeeding him as long as we were able to continue that relationship, organic milk and food, and elimination of any products that contain BPA.

Good luck!
R. W

Vaccines are important and unless you have some extenuating circumstances I think you might be being a little paranoid.

Hi K.,
My name is G. I have three children One is 19, 16, and 5. I have always done the vaccines with my kids. I feel they are an important part of building their imune system. I have heard all the tales about putting poisons and toxins in my children for the sake of not letting them get normal things like polio and mumps. But sometimes it is important to protect your kids from things they can not protect themselfs from. I know there are children out there that have not taken vaccines for religious reasons but I also know that you go threw alot of red take to keep your kids from taking the vaccines.If you curantly have had your sons vaccines given on a routine basis I don't know how the red tape works but I would look into it before I make any final decisions on the contining the vaccines. I am not sure who you would contact but if you ask around I am sure someone knows.

I may be wrong, but aren't vaccines required when your children enter public school?

My daughter tried to prolong her daughter's vaccines and they threatened to take her daughter away.

I feel you put your child in more danger by NOT vaccinating. It has been proven time and time again to be a GREAT way of preventing disease!