Vaccinating your child

[megrenade]

I don't think of myself as being selfish for holding off on vaccinating my children until they are closer to school age.

I'm not ANTI-vax, but I am cautious.

My sister's MMR gave her over a 104 degree fever for a week. It caused major brain damage and she was later diagnosed with autism.

Our WELL-KNOWN and HIGHLY RECOMMENDED pediatrician, recommended that due to a VACCINE INJURY in my family, that I hold off on vaccinating my children.

Vaccinated children can spread illness just as easily as non-vaccinated. Obviously if my child got mumps or measles or something of that sort, I keep them HOME. I think most of us who do selective/delayed vaccines aren't THAT inconsiderate, to take our sick children out and expose others.

As an American, I am entitled to having my freedom to vaccinate or not. I don't believe I should be forced to inject my child with over 48 doses of toxic crap (engineered in China) within the first few years of their life.

As I said before, I'm not anti-vax. But I'm not following their stupid bullshit guidelines and risking my child getting brain damage to avoid illnesses that aren't widespread anymore (yes, due to most of the population being vaccinated).

I've done my research and I've seen first hand, the effects that vaccines CAN have.

I keep my kids home. They don't go to daycare. Obviously if there was some disease that was becoming widespread in my area, I'd go get my kids vaccinated for it.. but, the effectiveness isn't even really worth it.. most of them wear off and NEVER FULLY 100% PROTECT YOU.

Vaccinated or not, kids get sniffles, coughs, stomach bugs, etc. So I think it's unfair to treat unvaccinated children (or ones who are on a selective or delated schedule) like they are carrying the fucking plague.

Last time I checked, the 'sniffles' wasn't a killer like whopping cough, and a stomach bug not a nasty disease like Meningitis C that killed my innumocompromised uncle.

My friends baby caught meningitis over Christmas, he was so very sick but he'd been vaccinated and recovered. My uncle, unvaccinated, died. There's all the evidence I need that vaccines are lifesavers.

If your unvaxxed kid gets Men C, you better pray to the moon and back they'll live but I would put a bet on it. It strikes from no where, with no warning. Why you'd risk death, I have no idea

You risk death every single day.

Like I said, I'm not anti-vax and that is one of the vaccines I plan on having my kids get when they are over the age of 2.

There are a few we are considering

 

[supertabby]

I don't think of myself as being selfish for holding off on vaccinating my children until they are closer to school age.

I'm not ANTI-vax, but I am cautious.

My sister's MMR gave her over a 104 degree fever for a week. It caused major brain damage and she was later diagnosed with autism.

Our WELL-KNOWN and HIGHLY RECOMMENDED pediatrician, recommended that due to a VACCINE INJURY in my family, that I hold off on vaccinating my children.

Vaccinated children can spread illness just as easily as non-vaccinated. Obviously if my child got mumps or measles or something of that sort, I keep them HOME. I think most of us who do selective/delayed vaccines aren't THAT inconsiderate, to take our sick children out and expose others.

As an American, I am entitled to having my freedom to vaccinate or not. I don't believe I should be forced to inject my child with over 48 doses of toxic crap (engineered in China) within the first few years of their life.

As I said before, I'm not anti-vax. But I'm not following their stupid bullshit guidelines and risking my child getting brain damage to avoid illnesses that aren't widespread anymore (yes, due to most of the population being vaccinated).

I've done my research and I've seen first hand, the effects that vaccines CAN have.

I keep my kids home. They don't go to daycare. Obviously if there was some disease that was becoming widespread in my area, I'd go get my kids vaccinated for it.. but, the effectiveness isn't even really worth it.. most of them wear off and NEVER FULLY 100% PROTECT YOU.

Vaccinated or not, kids get sniffles, coughs, stomach bugs, etc. So I think it's unfair to treat unvaccinated children (or ones who are on a selective or delated schedule) like they are carrying the fucking plague.

Reactions to vaccinations are extremely rare and I'm sorry that's happened to someone you love. When there's family history of severe reactions then it is medically right to exercise caution and even not vaccinate at all - and any good doctor should discuss this with you and advice. It's an entirely different matter to not vaccinating because of conspiracy theories.

However....

Sniffles don't cause blindness, deafness, infertility, death etc.

Daycare isn't the only place to spread disease. Unless you and your family live in absolute isolation you are at risk of catching and spreading contagious diseases. Staying indoors when you are ill doesn't totally avoid spreading it either as diseases are contagious before symptoms appear.

I'm not sure why a vaccine being produced in China is a problem - what do have against Chinese people???

Vaccines against the major dangerous childhood illnesses like measles and mumps are effective for life. The "they wear off" argument is incorrect but often touted in anti vax propaganda. The chickenpox vaccine wears off but chickenpox is also very rarely dangerous and is not routinely administered in the UK for those reasons.

 

[HKateH]

I don't think of myself as being selfish for holding off on vaccinating my children until they are closer to school age.

I'm not ANTI-vax, but I am cautious.

My sister's MMR gave her over a 104 degree fever for a week. It caused major brain damage and she was later diagnosed with autism.

Our WELL-KNOWN and HIGHLY RECOMMENDED pediatrician, recommended that due to a VACCINE INJURY in my family, that I hold off on vaccinating my children.

Vaccinated children can spread illness just as easily as non-vaccinated. Obviously if my child got mumps or measles or something of that sort, I keep them HOME. I think most of us who do selective/delayed vaccines aren't THAT inconsiderate, to take our sick children out and expose others.

As an American, I am entitled to having my freedom to vaccinate or not. I don't believe I should be forced to inject my child with over 48 doses of toxic crap (engineered in China) within the first few years of their life.

As I said before, I'm not anti-vax. But I'm not following their stupid bullshit guidelines and risking my child getting brain damage to avoid illnesses that aren't widespread anymore (yes, due to most of the population being vaccinated).

I've done my research and I've seen first hand, the effects that vaccines CAN have.

I keep my kids home. They don't go to daycare. Obviously if there was some disease that was becoming widespread in my area, I'd go get my kids vaccinated for it.. but, the effectiveness isn't even really worth it.. most of them wear off and NEVER FULLY 100% PROTECT YOU.

Vaccinated or not, kids get sniffles, coughs, stomach bugs, etc. So I think it's unfair to treat unvaccinated children (or ones who are on a selective or delated schedule) like they are carrying the fucking plague.

But they could be carrying the fucking plague. There's a reason that we don't vaccinate for the 'sniffles' but do vaccinate for measles or meningitis. The sniffles don't kill; measles do.

 

[megrenade]

Reactions to vaccinations are extremely rare and I'm sorry that's happened to someone you love. When there's family history of severe reactions then it is medically right to exercise caution and even not vaccinate at all - and any good doctor should discuss this with you and advice. It's an entirely different matter to not vaccinating because of conspiracy theories.

However....

Sniffles don't cause blindness, deafness, infertility, death etc.

Daycare isn't the only place to spread disease. Unless you and your family live in absolute isolation you are at risk of catching and spreading contagious diseases.

I'm not sure why a vaccine being produced in China is a problem - what do have against Chinese people???

Vaccines against the major dangerous childhood illnesses like measles and mumps are effective for life. The "they wear off" argument is incorrect but often touted in anti vax propaganda. The chickenpox vaccine wears off but chickenpox is also very rarely dangerous and is not routinely administered in the UK for those reasons.

My point is that you never know somebody's situation. So to say somebody is selfish for not vaccinating, well.. it's hurtful

I don't really have anything to argue with. But I don't think my kids deserve to be treated like they are plagued with death.. after all, kids aren't even FULLY vaccinated until they are over 5?

So do you keep your kids away from everyone who isn't 100% fully vaccinated?

 

[special_kala]

I dont think its fair to attack people for not vaccinating.

We delay vaccinations by a few months with the first 3 sets and dont do the MMR until 18 moths. Personally I wouldn't not vaccinate.

My friend doesn't vaccinate against whooping cough, I dont treat her or her kids like some kind of lepers.

For those who think not vaccinating is selfish/bullshit etc would you vaccinate against chickenpox/flu/hep B if they were offered in the UK?

 

[sue_88]

Yes. I've had the flu vax every year. Mostly paid for privately. Had flu once in my life the year I missed the vax when I was of school age.

My LO will also start her MenB vaccine course shortly, and I'm paying for it privately.

In short, anything offered, or that I could purchase, we get.

 

[special_kala]

So if you were offered the Hep B jab for your LO you would take it?

 

[sue_88]

Infants aren't offered it unless in the at risk group, nor are they likely to ever be so no I wouldn't choose to at this age. However, if we travel in the future and she needs it....she gets it.

 

[special_kala]

In the US they are offered as the norm at birth.

Would let them put antibiotic gel in your babies eyes at birth?

We all make decisions for our children that others dont agree with. I dont think its fair to so harshly attack other peoples decisions.

 

[megrenade]

In the US they are offered as the norm at birth.

Would let them put antibiotic gel in your babies eyes at birth?

We all make decisions for our children that others dont agree with. I dont think its fair to so harshly attack other peoples decisions.

Exactly. Here in the US, they will inject your baby with a Hep B shot without your permission. After you've given birth and are completely out of it, they will have you "sign the paper" and not explain it at all

You can only get Hep B by having unprotected sex and sharing needles. My kids won't be doing that anytime soon

 

[sue_88]

I don't live in the US, never have, never will. I follow the NHS vaccine schedule and take all recommended vaccinations.

No re: the gel, as I am fully aware of my sexual past and STI status, which is and always has been clear so I wouldn't subject my baby to something so pointless. Vaccines aren't pointless.

Yes, I think it's selfish to NOT vaccinate a healthy baby/child, I think it's dangerous and stupid, and horrid to make such a decision for your child and their safety.....that's a harsh opinion, I admit that and it will never change, but I would have rather someone pulled the trigger on my uncle than watch him die a horrible death due to PREVENTABLE meningitis and septicaemia and see the lasting effect this has had on my family.

 

[Irish Eyes]

It really pisses me off when comments are made about people that don't vax relying on "kale smoothies"
Try watching your little brother suffer an extreme reaction to a jab that you're all saying I'm selfish for not injecting into my son.
Yes this is a 1st world problem, as are most of the topics on here. Doesn't mean its any less important to us.

I get that you're all pro vax but its ridiculous to state that anyone who doesn't vax is jumping on some kind of band wagon.

 

[aliss]

I'm pro-vax. I also have an autistic child and have heard all sorts of crap relating to that. I don't agree with the concept of forced vacinaton. Pushy education? Yes, but forcing it is too dangerous of a line to cross. Some would argue more dangerous to society than death from disease.

 

[kit10grl]

I agree with Aliss while ITT would benefit DD to have everyone vaccinated Compulsory vaccinations on the NHS schedule is not something I think we should do. As a PP mentioned there are cases of vaccine injury where its understandable why the parent doesn't want to take the risk they shouldn't be forced into doing something to their child they don't agree with. I think its horrific that in the US babies are given unwanted injections and eye drops at birth when a lot of mothers don't want them. How many threads on here get heated about vitamin K being administered by injection and that is optional.

Parentalrights over what happens to your baby should not be removed because once it starts where dies it stop? Many people didn't agree with their child getting the new flu vaccine introduced last winter but if we are forcing vaccines then you don't get a. Choice. Or what about the cervical cancer injection for girls, would u want a say in that?

 

[melfy77]

Keeping the kid at home when they're sick...obviously!!! Except that most of the time, the kid is contagious BEFORE showing actual signs of a disease.

Here we get Hep B shot in elementary school, I totally forgot about the flu shot and I'll get the chickenpox shot soon for my oldest.

Yes sometimes people get bad reaction to a shot, but it's so very rare...looking at the odds. that person had a higher risk of getting sick (or even dying) from the disease than reacting to the shot itself.

 

[wookie130]

Genuine, real, and I mean REAL, medically-evidenced reactions to vaccines are extremely rare. Really, really, rare.

The autism/vaccination argument has been debunked again and again, and there are PLENTY of peer-reviewed scientific studies that agree that autism is not a by-product of vaccines.

Irish Eyes, I'm sorry what I said offended you about kale smoothies, and how the whole anti-vax issue is a 1st world issue. You know, I will agree with you when you said that most things discussed here are...except that the majority of those "things" don't equate into something that could become a health crisis, or could result in a permanent health issues or death. I am also sorry that your brother suffered an extreme reaction to a vaccine. It DOES happen, but as I stated above, very, very RARELY. And I realize that "rarely" does not mean "ever."

However, the anti-vax movement is most surely a bandwagon. There are blogs, web sites, CELEBRITIES (see Jenny McCarthy) dedicated to "educating" people about the "dangers" of vaccination, the conspiracy of Big Pharma, and how doctors are eeeeevil, and want to become rich, take away your choices, and impose on your ability to make "informed decisions." Oh, it's really a bunch of poppycock, in my opinion, and it's all based on magical thinking and unicorn dust. Let's not forget the kale smoothies. I'll take science, REAL MEDICAL RESEARCH, and tried and true herd immunity ANY DAY.

I don't think any less of anyone's children if they're not vaccinated. They are probably not diseased or plagued, or whatever. But, as judgey as this sounds, I do think less of the child's parent for not putting that child's health and safety first, as well as the safety of others.

Research is rarely performed by reading some WebMD articles, blogs, or by watching Dr. Oz. It's complicated. It's all been done for us by people trained to interpret the studies. And the vast majority of it has proven the benefits of vaccination. There's no conspiracy here. Just facts, and also the ability to look at how these awful diseases have virtually disappeared over the years...this is due to VACCINATION. We now can enjoy a longer lifespan, and not suffer from blindness, deafness, immobility, etc., as children suffered from in days of yore. It's just too risky to mess with.

I shall surely be flamed or something for the above comments. But, it's my opinion, and I refuse to contribute to the echo chamber that has become the anti-vax movement.

 

[nevernormal]

DH and I have done delayed vaccination. We aren't anti-vax but I am cautious about all of the heavy metals in particular, that are in vaccines. I have a degree in chemistry and through some of my biochemistry studies, studied about heavy metals in the body and I couldn't justify injecting my newborn with a Hep B shot (in the US), among other things.

It should definitely be a parent's choice, though I'm all for more education. But I would have to be confident that it was an honest picture of what the studies show... another thing I learned while earning that degree is scientists are quick to show the results they want to show while ignoring data that doesn't quite fit or they don't understand.

But yes, it SHOULD be a CHOICE. Making it mandatory opens up a floodgate of what else can be mandated by the government. In response to an above poster, there are already places in the world where it's illegal to homeschool, so that choice has already been taken away. ERF saves lives, so why shouldn't governments mandate it? Just because you don't care about an issue, or your government doesn't, doesn't mean that other people don't care or that their government hasn't started taking those choices away. Mandating/forcing vaccines just seems like it could snowball into a lot of other things.

Think what you will about parents who don't just follow the recommendations... but if you don't know what their experiences are, and what research they've done, then you're making an uninformed judgment on them.

 

[supertabby]

Reactions to vaccinations are extremely rare and I'm sorry that's happened to someone you love. When there's family history of severe reactions then it is medically right to exercise caution and even not vaccinate at all - and any good doctor should discuss this with you and advice. It's an entirely different matter to not vaccinating because of conspiracy theories.

However....

Sniffles don't cause blindness, deafness, infertility, death etc.

Daycare isn't the only place to spread disease. Unless you and your family live in absolute isolation you are at risk of catching and spreading contagious diseases.

I'm not sure why a vaccine being produced in China is a problem - what do have against Chinese people???

Vaccines against the major dangerous childhood illnesses like measles and mumps are effective for life. The "they wear off" argument is incorrect but often touted in anti vax propaganda. The chickenpox vaccine wears off but chickenpox is also very rarely dangerous and is not routinely administered in the UK for those reasons.

My point is that you never know somebody's situation. So to say somebody is selfish for not vaccinating, well.. it's hurtful

I don't really have anything to argue with. But I don't think my kids deserve to be treated like they are plagued with death.. after all, kids aren't even FULLY vaccinated until they are over 5?

So do you keep your kids away from everyone who isn't 100% fully vaccinated?

If I wasn't clear in my post above, I was saying you are doing the right thing to exercise caution. The majority of people are healthy eligible vaccine candidates and imo should therefore be vaccinated to contribute to herd immunity. Some people can't have the vaccine and this could include your family if the doctor deems it a risk. I didn't agree with your other comments however and therefore posted my thoughts.

I don't keep my kids away from everyone who isn't 100% vaccinated, I have no way of telling who they are. And it's not just children who are risks - whether you're 5 or 95 you could be a carrier of disease. The vaccines that require boosters do offer immunity from the first injection but require a top up after a specified time to become a lifelong immunity. It's not a case of no immunity until the vaccination programme is complete.

 

[supertabby]

And as for the repeated argument re money - maybe in America medicine revolves around how much doctors and hospitals can get paid. Here in the UK our nhs is funded by the government (tax payer) and if vaccinations weren't proven effective, safe and necessary, we wouldn't get them funded! There isn't enough money in the nhs for widescale unnecessary procedures.

 

[special_kala]

Keeping the kid at home when they're sick...obviously!!! Except that most of the time, the kid is contagious BEFORE showing actual signs of a disease.

Here we get Hep B shot in elementary school, I totally forgot about the flu shot and I'll get the chickenpox shot soon for my oldest.

Yes sometimes people get bad reaction to a shot, but it's so very rare...looking at the odds. that person had a higher risk of getting sick (or even dying) from the disease than reacting to the shot itself.

As do people who are vaccinated, except they never show symptoms so actually expose more people to the disease. At least a non vaccinated person shows symptoms and is taken out of circulation.