Vaccines - Carnation,WA

Hi Amy,

it's a loaded question - I'm sure you'll get a lot of strong opionions on this one!

Here is what we did. I grew up getting all vaccines and thought that it is irresponsible not to use all available vaccines.

Then we had our first daughter, who received all her vaccines on time. She was a colicky, moody, difficult baby (not sure I can pin this on the vaccines, but I did wonder after doing some research). Then we had our first son - a very calm, mellow little guy. He pretty much never cried, slept through the night at 3 weeks, just easy as can be. We vaccinated him with his first full set, and he cried and acted upset and not himself for days. This got me thinking and researching. I talked to various people, ranging from friends, to nurses, to our pediatrician. Did some research on the Internet. Came to the conclusion that the "standard" vaccination schedule is just what the US government is pushing to ensure that all at-risk populations are covered - it's not what's in the best interest of my child's health (and "standard" schedules vary by country - why? Aren't all babies the same?). Stopped vaccinating my kids, son #2 never had a shot. All of my kids are healthy and have great immune systems. I'm not a vaccination opponent; if we were to move to China or some other location where e.g. polio is still around, I would vaccinate my kids against it. But here in the States, good hygiene, good nutrition, plus the lack of many of the diseases we are vaccinating against (polio is pretty much extinguished in the western hemisphere) makes the risk of overloading an immature immune system with a cocktail of antigens, preservatives, and who-knows-what else not a good risk in my view. My kids know to wash their hands after using the bathroom, and before eating. They also use their utensils instead of their hands (I'm from Europe and sometimes amazed at the "habits" of kids here).

So - no clear answer, but I would at least look into the reasons for each individual vaccine and not do the "cocktail" (e.g. MMR). Rubella (the "R") is for example a disease that usually does not harm kids - the only reason they push it is to prevent pregnant women from catching the disease. Is it your infant's responsibility to protect pregnant women? I would at least advise to give shots individually, carefully monitor the effect, and conscientiously decide at what point in their life the child really needs the vaccine.

I'll be curious to see what answers you get - and good luck in your decision. It's not an easy one, and I occasionally worry if I made the right choice. But there is also a reason the government established a multi-million dollar vaccine damages fund...

S.

I totally understand how difficult of a decision this is. We used to vaccinate our 3 kids but have stopped in the last several months. I really wish I had been more informed earlier on. It’s good that you're looking into this so hopefully you can feel good about the decision you make; either way.

One thing tonote is that it really is a misconception that vaccinations are the main reason the typical "childhood diseases" are not as prevalent anymore. The real reasons behind the decline are better nutrition and sanitation. You can read more about this info at:

http://freelearner.typepad.com/free_learner/2008/05/why-d...

One of the most informative things I did was to watch the video I linked to below with my husband. It is made by a very well respected doctor who was pro-vax for a long time (she was the head of an ER at a hospital) but then started researching it for herself and found much to be concerned about. She says most doctors are very well meaning but the education they receive is very one sided and they simply don't have time to do the research for themselves and/or don't even know/want to really question the vaccine policies. Here's the link:

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=70188352404511075...=

It's a video by Dr. Sherri Tenpenny called "Vaccines: The risks, the benefits, the choices." It was a couple of hours, but walked through each vaccine and gave a ton of helpful info.

Good luck to you in this decision. If you have any questions, feel free to message me.

Hi Amy. This is a very good question and I'm so glad that you're researching it as many parents don't even think to question the idea. I think either way you go has risks, but educating yourself about the risks, then determining what fits your beliefs and child the best is important.

Even though some of the vaccines are specifically for infants, I personally chose not to vaccinate either of my boys during infancy. I think their bodies are too little and new to have that put in them. However, after the age of one, I chose specific vaccinations to slowly give them separted out as much as possible that I believed to be more important and less possible for side-effects. You can get many of the combo ones separated, and I highly recommend doing so when possible. The MMR one can be completely separated and the DTP, can be partially separated.

This isn't an easy decision no matter what you decide on, but just be sure you're comfortable where you land. I'm guessing you're that kind of person anyway. :o)

Good luck!

Amy,

I vaccinated both my daughters and had no problems at all. They are healthy, happy, intelligent young ladies. I think you will find that doctors will reccommend that you have your children vaccinated. Recent research has now shown that vaccines do not cause autism despite what many parents have believed in the past. There has been a resurgence of many of the childhood diseases that we thought we had whiped out due to children not getting vaccinated, whooping cough is a prime example, there were huge outbreaks of it last year in the area, cities (Redmond) were shutting down events because of these outbreaks. Your best advice concerning this issue may come from your pediatrician regarding your child's health, have a frank talk with him/her about your concerns. Only you can decide what you think is best for your child.

Good Luck,

Carin

I chose to vaccinate both of my children but on a modified schedule and I did research on EACH of the vaccines my children received. Instead of having "gang vaccinations", I went to my naturopath and had each vaccination given individually at 2-3 week intervals to maximize immune response to each vaccine without overloading the system with too much. I also wanted a clear record of what type of negative response, if any, was caused by specific vaccines. If a kid gets 6 shots in the same day, how would you know which shot caused the response?? I don't believe in the increase in autism due to vaccination because we have been vaccinating in quantity since the 1950s and the uptick in autism didn't really start in earnest until the late 80's and 90's. I also cannot fathom the argument fostered by Mothering magazine that "vaccines don't work". THey DO work and have saved MILLIONS of lives, especially in places like Africa. The real problem is that today's parents don't personally remember the terror of horrible diseases like polio, where perfectly healthy children were struck down and crippled in a matter of days and public places like pools and theaters were shut down for whole summers. The complications of diseases like measles, mumps, etc. far ouotweigh the consequences of the vaccines. Blindness, deafness, and brain damage are real dangers of many of these diseases as well as death. I didn't have my children vaccinated against Hep B because the chance of them getting it would be minimal since the transmission is by blood or sex. I also didn't choose to vaccinate against rotavirus since the vaccine was less than 5 years old, too recent to have a good track record. I am glad because that vaccine caused bowel obstruction and a few other things. My rule of thumb is that the particular vaccine has to have a track record of 10 years or more and the chance of getting the disease has to be greater than the complications of a vaccine. If you have any other questions, you can contact me.

Hi Amy,
This is a big issue and there is tons of information on both sides.

I have experience first-hand as well as having researched and treated vaccine damage. We vaccinated my oldest, albeit in 1/2 doses/stretched out and not as combined doses. His super brilliant, vital self changed after those and has had many issues ever since. My youngest (6 1/2 years later) was not vaccinated because I learned more. There are vast differences between them that would be a book to read :)

I don't think you'll find 'good' testimonies on vaccines.
There is no true benefit gained from them and despite what is portrayed, no real evidence it has helped people anywhere.
Information has been skewed, ignoring changes in sanitation, the difference homeopathy made and other factors. There is a new vaccine popping up yearly for things that are no threat to a child's health, some being a beneficial developmental stage.

The ingredients are toxic.

There are safe options, such as just treating normal childhood diseases homeopathically - if and when they occur.
You can join the group ____@____.com to access good information and there are many of us there for questions.
There are also homeopathic immunisations you can do, or better, do constitutional treatment.

The best thing you can do is increase health in the most fundamental ways with holistic health modalities, organic nutrition and a happy environment.

Be well,
Liz