Vaccinations

[marymouse]

My child is vacinated and I don't regret. If I had another child now, I would definately research it more before I just went along with it. I was young the first time. That said, my DD's pediatrician won't see paitients unless they get vacines. He says it is a liability to his practice to have unvacinated children in the office. They "could" spread something to another child.

Just something else to think about.

 

[Scornelius]

Somewhat OT, but I felt compelled to share my story. When I was in high school I was given a 30 day suspension (yes, 30 school days, so 6 full weeks) for not getting my measles shot. This was in....hmmm... around '98, I guess. I had in fact had the shot, but the school just lost the record of it. So one day I was called to the office, handed a brief letter explaining my 'offence', told that I could not go back to class and that my parents had already been called to come get me. It was crazy!! We got my immunization records to them within 3 days, and it was almost 3 weeks before things were processed and they let me go back to school!

 

[Christine]

I think most of the reputable information out there points to vaccines NOT being the cause.

I did vaccinate and would continue to vaccinate; however, do not have to live with autism so maybe I would feel differently.

But, I want to say--last year as an adult, I suffered with a case of pertussis (whooping cough). It was horrible. I actually cannot imagine how an infant or very young child could live through this. I had several occasions where my airway just "locked" up.

Having experienced that, I don't think I could not have my child receive the vaccine for this illness--especially since there is a new resurgance of the disease.

 

[gina2000]

I would never not vaccinate. The illnesses that these vaccinations prevent are horrific. And with all the international travel these days, I feel that exposure to disease is more prevalent. It's a crapshoot that I, personally, would not want to lose.

 

[dkferret]

My nephew developed seizures and autistic behaviors after receiving his vaccines at about 2 years old. He was devoloping just fine until then. The seizures were later attributed to his vaccines (based on a panel of doctor experts). My nephew is now 13 years old and has the mental capacity of a 3 year old, watches Barney everyday, has leg braces to help him stand up and has sometimes hundreds of seizures per day. He takes enough valium per day to overdose three people. My brother-in-law couldn't handle it and divorced my sister about 4 years ago and he avoids his son (but has a great relationship with his 15 year old son).

I still believe in vaccination, even though I know someone whose life was ruined by it. Like getting struck by lightning or winning the lottery, the odds of having a reaction are very slim. I think the good benefits of vaccination far outweigh the possible bad.

 

[jodifla]

I believe in vaccination under most circumstances. I vaccinated my son, who has expressive/receptive language delay. He had the language issue from the beginning, certainly before the MMR. In fact, he had no reactions to any of the shots.

I do think shots can cause very bad reactions in some people. But I also believe we're all a lot safer if everyone gets the shots. People pooh-pooh childhood diseases like they're nothing, but in reality, they kill!

About half a million kids die each year from measles....and that's down by half since 1999, because of shots.


http://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/releases/2006/pr11/en/index.html

 

[Minniemouse07]

The OP asked for non-biased information.


This is the best reference.

http://www.iom.edu/CMS/3793/4705/20155.aspx

This eighth and final report of the Immunization Safety Review Committee examines the hypothesis that vaccines, specifically the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine and thimerosal-containing vaccines, are causally associated with autism. The committee reviewed the extant published and unpublished epidemiological studies regarding causality and studies of potential biologic mechanisms by which these immunizations might cause autism.
The committee concludes that the body of epidemiological evidence favors rejection of a causal relationship between the MMR vaccine and autism. The committee also concludes that the body of epidemiological evidence favors rejection of a causal relationship between thimerosal-containing vaccines and autism. The committee further finds that potential biological mechanisms for vaccine-induced autism that have been generated to date are theoretical only.
The committee does not recommend a policy review of the current schedule and recommendations for the administration of either the MMR vaccine or thimerosal-containing vaccines. The committee recommends a public health response that fully supports an array of vaccine safety activities.

In addition, the committee recommends that available funding for autism research be channeled to the most promising areas. The committee makes additional recommendations regarding surveillance and epidemiological research, clinical studies, and communication related to these vaccine safety concerns

"Epidemiological evidence" means that they studied the chemistry behind the vaccines, and the existing literature in regards to vaccines and autism. There has NEVER been a full scale study comparing vaccinated children to unvaccinated children here in the US.

It would be very easy to do, there are a good amount of unvaccinated kids, but there is no funding for such a study. Many believe that is because it is blocked by lobbying pharma companies...but you have to buy into some conspiracy theories for that!

Many people theorize that it is not the actual antibodies found in the vaccines that are the problem, but the preservatives and adjuvants that are added to the vaccines.

The testing for vaccines is not always a straightforward thing, for example ...The recent HPV vaccine safety study didn't compare the vaccine against saline, but against a solution that contained the preservatives and adjuvants that are in the vaccine. So when Merck says that the vaccine was found to have "similar reactions and side affects to the placebo"...they are right, they are similar... because most people are reacting to what is added to the vaccine over and above the antibody.

Until there is a full scale US study that compares children that are vaccinated against children that have not been vaccinated... there can be no conclusive summation that there is no link. The study has to be more than an examination of existing data, but a new collection of BALANCED information.

There have been articles during the last year pointing out the extremely low occurance of autism in the Amish community, and the fact that they generally do not vaccinate. I'm sure you can find the info with a simple search.

But, I want to say--last year as an adult, I suffered with a case of pertussis (whooping cough). It was horrible. I actually cannot imagine how an infant or very young child could live through this. I had several occasions where my airway just "locked" up.

Having experienced that, I don't think I could not have my child receive the vaccine for this illness--especially since there is a new resurgence of the disease.

My dd was fully vaccinated against pertussis (received all her shots and boosters through 4yo, which is considered "fully" protected). She contracted pertussis anyway...we don't know where from as noone at her daycare or any of our friends had it... and gave it to ME. I was 7mo pregnant at the time.

Both dd's pediatrician and my family doctor both said that most of the pertussis cases that they see/hear of are in children that are supposed to be "fully protected." These are not older kids that have had their vaccine wear off and need a booster, but young kids like my dd. It was obvious to both of them (in separate conversations) that the current DTaP vaccine was becoming less and less effective and they were figuring out that the current strain of pertussis was no longer "covered" but the available vaccine.

We selectively vaccinated dd and I felt at the time that DTaP was important specifically to protect my her from pertussis. It turns out that it was the most volatile vaccine for her (she had a lump in her leg for 2+mo after each injection which was explained to us as a "normal" reaction).

Based upon our experiences w/ pertussis and the lack of efficacy w/ the vaccine we have decided that the "risk" of the vaccine is not worth the lack of protection... and our ds will not be receiving it.

Yes, pertussis was horrid, I don't wish it on anyone and I had complications due to the fact that I have pretty bad allergies that made the cough worse.... but we didn't see any protection by the vaccine for our dd and I don't have any faith in it to work for our ds!

 

[Aimeedyan]

Disclaimer: I don't have kids and haven't even started researching vaccines for children (though have for dogs, LOL!) but a friend of mine pointed me to http://www.909shot.com/ for information. Have no idea how accurate or fair it is but she seemed to respect it a lot.

 

[ChrisnSteph]

I'm wondering what would happen if all the parents of the world stopped vaccinating their kids.

I know it's a personal choice, but I can't help but feel that those who choose not to vac are banking on those of us that do.

 

[Minniemouse07]

That said, my DD's pediatrician won't see paitients unless they get vacines. He says it is a liability to his practice to have unvacinated children in the office. They "could" spread something to another child.

But if the vaccines work so well... then what does any have to worry about?

 

[Minniemouse07]

I'm wondering what would happen if all the parents of the world stopped vaccinating their kids.

I know it's a personal choice, but I can't help but feel that those who choose not to vac are banking on those of us that do.

Actually, I would prefer that more people DIDN'T vaccinate. I would rather my kids get the "wild" version of chicken pox than receive boosters for it the rest of their lives and/or end up w/ shingles.

With the majority of kids being vaxed for CP, it's harder for my kids to be exposed AND, adults aren't being reexposed (like a natural booster) so they are protected against shingles.... now necessitating a shingles vaccine as well!!

 

[ChrisnSteph]

But if the vaccines work so well... then what does any have to worry about?

Here's a great article on common misconceptions about vaccinations. I really agree with #4, and think it's the most important reason to vaccinate.

http://healthlink.mcw.edu/article/1029253486.html

 

[kdibattista]

Just to clarify... I'm not planning on NOT vaccinating at all. I'm just looking for which ones I feel are absolutely necessary for my son and possibly delaying and/or spacing them out.

 

[jodifla]

Actually, I would prefer that more people DIDN'T vaccinate. I would rather my kids get the "wild" version of chicken pox than receive boosters for it the rest of their lives and/or end up w/ shingles.

With the majority of kids being vaxed for CP, it's harder for my kids to be exposed AND, adults aren't being reexposed (like a natural booster) so they are protected against shingles.... now necessitating a shingles vaccine as well!!

Great! So we could have children DYING of measles, mumps and yes...chicken pox!

U.S. chicken pox deaths plunge after vaccine introduced
Last Updated: Thursday, February 3, 2005 | 2:35 PM ET
CBC News
U.S. deaths from chicken pox plummeted to a record low after a national vaccination program to prevent the disease was introduced in 1995, a study suggests.
The findings may prompt calls for a similar program in Canada, where three provinces and a territory still require parents to pay for the vaccine out of pocket.

In the five years before the vaccination program began in the United States, the childhood disease caused or contributed to about 145 deaths each year.

http://www.cbc.ca/health/story/2005/02/02/chicken-pox-050102.html

 

[ChrisnSteph]

Actually, I would prefer that more people DIDN'T vaccinate. I would rather my kids get the "wild" version of chicken pox than receive boosters for it the rest of their lives and/or end up w/ shingles.

With the majority of kids being vaxed for CP, it's harder for my kids to be exposed AND, adults aren't being reexposed (like a natural booster) so they are protected against shingles.... now necessitating a shingles vaccine as well!!

I agree with you about chicken pox - I'm not sure I agree with that particular vaccine. My kids don't have a shingles vaccine nor has it been required.

 

[Tink&SquirtsMom]

I'm not prepared to say there is no connection but we after researching we vaccinated our kids and would do it again.

You are on the right track seeking out unbiased research (which can be hard on the net regarding such a passionate subject). One thing we did that I found valuable was talk to many Drs (all parents) and asked them what they DID... not what they were taught, or what they told patients but what did with their own children. All of them vaccinated their own kids.

One reason YOU specifically may want to consider vaccination kdi.. is since you are planning on international adoption in the future. It may or may not add to your thought process now but we found there can be specific CDC warnings with adopting kids from specific countries (for us we had to be particularly careful about Hep A which had been being contracted by adoptive family members). The kids can bring undocumented things home and if you travel to get your child you'll be exposed to even more. Having said that, there are many internationally adoptive families in my adoption group who have chosen not to vaccinate and been fine.

My thinking is after travelling to different parts of the world and seeing firsthand kids battling these illnesses in areas where they are not fortunate enough to be able to choose to vax (not available or not affordable), I feel fortunate to have vax's available to us.

 

[jodifla]

Here's a great article on common misconceptions about vaccinations. I really agree with #4, and think it's the most important reason to vaccinate.

http://healthlink.mcw.edu/article/1029253486.html

This is a great article.

It's amazing that everyone hops on the "Evidence of Harm" bandwagon (he was trying to sell books, folks) without ever looking into history and realizing children died of these diseases...and they still die of these diseases...even in this country.

Look at the success we had eradicating smallpox. But it's a good thing that it was up the Greatest Generation to get their kids vaccinated. The vaccine can have severe side effects, and this generation would be too self-absorbed to do the right thing and have everyone vaccinated.

 

[kerrynic78]

My 9 month old DD has had all of her shots on schedule and will continue to do so. For me personally, it was more of a risk not to vaccinate her or delay it. I look at it in the way that I know what can happen if she gets sick with no vaccination, it is proven. It is not proven however 100% that the vacs and autism are linked.

 

[debster812]

But if the vaccines work so well... then what does any have to worry about?

Infants who have not yet had their vaccines for one?

 

[DisneyPhD]

This is a great article.

It's amazing that everyone hops on the "Evidence of Harm" bandwagon (he was trying to sell books, folks) without ever looking into history and realizing children died of these diseases...and they still die of these diseases...even in this country.

Look at the success we had eradicating smallpox. But it's a good thing that it was up the Greatest Generation to get their kids vaccinated. The vaccine can have severe side effects, and this generation would be too selfish to do the right thing and have everyone vaccinated.

Here is the thing. I like reading articles like that because I want to feel better about getting my kids vaxed. I want them to have them. I am not really comfortable skipping vaxs.

That being said, I am not comfortable with getting my kids vaxed and the more I learn, the less comfortable I am with it.

It isn't even the whole autism contention. It is the kids that have bad reactions and never recover or die that scare the pants off me. I kind of feel if my kid was going to be autistic it would happen with or with out the vaxes.

I also think some people really should not get them, those with family histories with reactions, or personal histories. I support parents choice to make informed decisions.

I remember looking at VEARS (is that right) reports that in one year more kids actually died from reactions to the vaccination then the disease. I can't remember what one it was though, I think maybe MMR. Sorry to be posting not backed up info.

I also would really like to see more info made public and parents informed in making educated decisions with out pressure. I don't believe that vax records should be required for anything besides doctors, not schools or sports. I don't think they are anyone else's business. I mean if vaxs work then why the need to "protect children who are already vaccinated?

I know on mothering.com there is a lot of anti vaccination people there, I tend to take what they say with a grain of salt. Still most of the women there know a heck of a lot more about vaccinations then the average person. I have a hard time keeping them all straight. They complain that the government and doctors use fear to get parents to get the shots. Well one thing is clear to me, the use of fear is on both sides. To do it or not to do it. Both are scary, there is risks on both sides too.

Right now my kids are done for a while. DD 6 is done with the exception of her Chicken pox booster. I was at the doctor today for her annual check up, be decided to wait a year on it.