Vaccines - Chicago,IL

Hi E.,

It is a complex issue to be sure, and one that raises concerns for many parents! I myself am very pro-vaccine and have spoken out about that before on this website. I have been engaged in a very good dialogue with another mamasource mother for about 2 months, she is anti-vaccine, and we have been sharing research and information back and forth on this issue. It has been very educational for us both and I believe it has not only given me more insight into "the other side", but has actually served to strengthen my own position in my mind.

That being said, I will also share that I have 2 good friends who work in the medical and pharmeceutical industries. One is a PhD and Pharm D, the former Director of Clinical Sciences for Pfizer, and currently holds that position for Takeda. The other is a top rated neurologist with his PhD who specializes in children's disorders, such as autism and RETT Syndrome. I have had lengthy discussions with them both about this issue and continue to bounce information off of them. The resounding response I get from them, without getting into the vast details they provide, is vaccinate your children. Period.

At the end of the day, you have to decide what you feel is best for your child. With vaccines, we are all in a position where we have to perform a "cost/benefit" analysis. From the massive amounts of research and conversations I have done, including with my own doctors, I have concluded that for my children, the benefits of vaccinating them far outweight the potential dangers. It is important to remember that no vaccine is 100% safe - every doctor will tell you that. But the number of children who have a reaction are minimal compared against the population who are being vaccinated. And the more you research, the more you'll find that the overwhelming majority of children who have reactions are found to have had a pre-existing condition that did not previously reveal itself (such as mitochondrial disorder). These types of disorders are genetic, determined at conception, and will present themselves at some point in the child's life. But they may remain hidden until sometime around 18 months of age, coincidentally when MMR is given. Many scientists believe this is true of autism (there is believed to be a major genetic component to this disorder), and they know it is absolutely true of RETT syndrome. Also, in some people, their immune system is just overly sensitive and hyper-reacts. This is how people get allergies - their body sees grass as an invader and starts going bonkers over it. This happens in some children with vaccines - their immune system hyper-reacts to the virus that is being injected. Imagine, though, what might happen if that child encountered the actual virus. These are the children that might have the most devastating effects of the disease.

My advice to anyone who is worried about this issue is to keep reading, talking, researching, asking questions, and talking with your doctor. So many mothers with this concern leave their doctors out of the picture because they don't trust them. My feeling is if you don't trust your doctor enough with this type of converstion, then you need to find one that you do. Many mothers stop short by asking the question, then they leave it hanging out there without looking for the answer. The answers to all of these questions are out there - find the answers, question them, then discuss them with your doctor. Often the doctor can fill in blanks in your own personal research and help you come to a decision that's best for you.

Just beware of conspiracy theories and keep in mind that there are a million theories out there, but no concrete scientific evidence that points to vaccines causing things like autism. Perhaps one day there will be. But unlike in religion, in science belief is not enough. What we do know is that vaccines have proven to be our biggest scientific advancement against the debilitating diseases that once plagued our society, and without them, we run the risk that these diseases will return in full force - then potentially mutate so that the vaccines and medications we have to combat them are no longer even effective. People will also tell you that it's not the end of the world if your child gets the measles or the mumps - chances are they won't die. But to me, death is not the only result to protect against. Children with measles can go deaf or blind, children with mumps can become sterile, children with Hep B will most likely develop chronic Hep B, which drastically increases their chances of developing liver cancer and a host of other liver problems. Now, I've heard some mothers say they'd rather have their child live with being blind than autistic, so they'll take their chances. As I said earlier, it is a cost/benefit analysis that only you can perform. In my opinion, the risk of my child getting autism from a vaccine (and science has not even confirmed there's a link here) is far less than the resulting consequences of her suffering the ill-effects of a disease. Science knows that if your body encounters a disease it has never seen before, you WILL contract that disease. Vaccines trigger the memory component of our immune system without us actually contracting the disease itself. This is why it remains our best defense.

Whew! I know that is a lot of information. And believe me, I could go on! There is that much to discuss. Hopefully this little bit has helped you. Good luck with your decision! As I said before, keep researching, asking questions, and talking with your doctor. You'll find the answer that's best for you : )

E.-

You did not make a mistake by reading that. There is a REAL concern over these issues and the media and drug companies along with the FDA are trying to play it on the downside. How can we justify giving a total of 52 boosters for our children compared to the 12 we got when we were children?

The fact is vaccines are now being ousted for a myriad of health problems. I have so much documentation, articles and websites. There have been thousands of studies done by reputable institutions. It really is a long discussion. If you would like to email me, i can forward you numerous aricles and websites. For now check out www.vaclib.org and I have many of these listed on my blogspot at www.originalgranolgirl.blogspot.com.

We as a family do not do ANY vaccines or OTC or prescriptions AT ALL!!! We are NEVER sick!! I have 4 beautiful children, one is 10 months and an advocate for raw and natural living. There is a seminar on Oct. 26 at Homefirst. www.homefirst.com. I also know many parents that are going this route. You are far from alone but do not listen to the naysayers-do the reading for yourself!!

Education is a wonderful thing!!

T.
Detox Coach

____@____.com

I vaccinated my 2 1/2 year old on schedule, with no ill effects, and am doing the same with my 8 month old. I was concerned about everything I'd heard, so I did quite a bit of research, reading everything from the CDC information to the websites dedicated to the "natural" approach of not vaccinating. I also spoke with different pediatricians. And while I respect every parent trying to do the best for their children, I heard a lot more preaching from people who opt to not vaccinate with a lot less fact. Time magazine had a really interesting article about the debate a few months ago that you could probably find in their archives...very enlightening statistics about how, although the number of children being vaccinated has declined dramatically, the proposed side effects of the immuniztions themselves (autism, for example) have risen. The rise in cases of measles in Illinois was shocking!!
I guess what I'm saying is to do the research & decide what makes sense for you (it's actually not all or nothing, many doctors will space the shots out if you're concerned about the number within the 24 month timeframe). But read what both proponents & opponents have to say, because has such strong opinions on the subject.

E., I urge you to take a look at the website for the American Academy of Pediatrics. This is the governing body for licensed pediatricians and is considered the leading pediatric professional organization in the US. They have reviewed and conducted the most thorough studies ever in this field and have concluded that 1) the risks from vaccines are far, far outweighed by the benefits and 2) there is no link between vaccines and autism.

The risks that you pose to your children, and to others, by not vaccinating your children are huge. These diseases can lead to mental retardation, blindness, deafness, sterility or death--and if you are exposed while pregnant can lead to the same in your unborn baby.

Please do not be taken in by the anti-vaccine lobby and dopey celebrities like Jenny McCarthy. Her son's problems are not caused by autism and she is doing society a huge disservice by claiming otherwise. I'm sorry for her situation, but it does not excuse her ignorance and that of others who are putting children at risk.

E., Dr. Sears Vaccine Book is why I decided to vaccinate! I guess it depends on the perspective you had when you read the book. We're vaccinating on an extended schedule similar to the one in the book. Our doctor doesn't use the high aluminum vaccine combinations, and we don't vaccinate for chicken pox or flu. As emphasized in the book, if you are breastfeeding and your baby isn't in day care, there's no rush.

I work with children with Autism and my brother in law has it too. I wouldn't wish it on anyone. Vaccines have also been linked to auto-immune diseases like MS as well as ADHD. If you want a LOT of non-mainstream info concerning vaccines, go to www.mothering.com/discussions.

BTW, You won't get a bias opinion from the medical community. You need to do the research yourself then make the call. Every person will see what they want to see in this kind of issue. If you're truly on the fence, then doing research will help you decide. If you're leaning towards one side or another, then you might just want someone to justify your beliefs. Sorry for being so pessimistic, vaccines are just so controversial - like fluoride in toothpaste - that it's hard to get the truth, and nothing but the truth.

I myself have permanent life altering damage due to my MMR vaccine when I was a child (the one I received is no longer on the market, it has been changed since then).
My children will get a delayed alternative schedule of some vacines (MMR, DTAP, Polio). If they have end up having health issues I may add some more shots, but if they are healthy then just those three.
I'm also a RN and have seen many of these diseases in real life sine we travel the world often (25 countries so far).
I myself got the polio vaccine, DTaP, part of my MMR series, and Hep B--Hep B because of my job as a nurse. My husband has every vaccine on the American market for men except yellow fever (only because we haven't been to an active yellow fever location-he most likely will get it). I opt out of all of them for me though. (He has kidney issues and is compromised health wise).
I don't think shots are evil, I just don't care for the way/amount/age we give them in the USA. I think that they are needed for people who have/will have issues with a specific disease or countries where sanitation is a concern.

I do want to stress one thing---its not an ALL or NOTHING rule with shots. Look at each shot on its own merits and decide what ones your comfortable with. Then also look at each person in the family--some may need one that others don't.

Good for you for at least becoming educated on the topic.

I will be vaccinating my child according to schedule. I won't go on my soapbox as to why I think it is so important for both my child and the population in general, because I *do* respect the fact that some people don't feel it is appropriate for their family or child.