To vaccinate or not vaccinate?
http://abcnews.go.com/Health/story?id=2265873
By FELICIA D. STOLER
ABC News Medical Unit
Aug. 2, 2006
It started as a self-sacrificing trip to Romania to perform missionary work at an orphanage.
But when a rural Indiana family returned home in 2005, the voyage ended in a horrible twist: Thirty-four people in the West Lafayette area came down with measles, a highly infectious disease brought home from Romania by the family's teenage daughter, who hadn't been vaccinated against it.
Although she wasn't feeling well, the girl attended a church function, where several unvaccinated members of the community became exposed to her germs. (Her family has asked that its name be withheld for privacy reasons.)
The family's story highlights a growing concern, according to a report published in today's issue of the New England Journal of Medicine. Although vaccines are designed to protect those most vulnerable to infections -- children -- an increasing fear of vaccines could make more towns ripe for the spread of measles and other vaccine-preventable diseases, such as mumps and whooping cough, also known as pertussis.
Why do some people choose not to vaccinate their kids? In 1998, the Lancet, a British medical journal, published an article that claimed that the MMR (measles-mumps-rubella) vaccine caused autism in children. The article has since been retracted, but the worry has remained.
As a result, even though vaccines are required for school attendance, many parents have opted out, claiming that vaccination violates their personal or religious beliefs. It appears this view is especially prevalent among parents who home-school their children. And this, in turn, puts children and their communities at a growing risk of spreading preventable epidemics.
"Most parents today have never seen the physical and emotional devastation caused by vaccine-preventable diseases and have a skewed view of the perceived risks associated with vaccines versus the actual risks of the diseases the vaccines are designed to prevent," said Dr. Gary L. Freed, chairman of the U.S. National Vaccine Advisory Committee and director of the Pediatrics and Child Health Evaluation and Research unit at the University of Michigan Healthcare System.
___________________________________________________
This article is a year old but it's an interesting one. I recently heard on the news that a disease thought once to be completely eradicated is resurfacing around the globe. Vaccinations for this disease had stopped over the past decade or so and the result of it caused a resurgence. For the life of me I can't find it or figure out which disease they're talking about - but as a mother, I'm constantly required to prove Catherine has had all her vaccinations. I literally have to carry her shot record around in my purse since all department of defense activities, school included, requires she be up to date every year.
Reading this article made me wonder though - is it considered socially irresponsible to refuse to vaccinate your child because the 'side effects' outweigh the potential of your child catching a disease? Do you roll the dice on the odds that your child might never contract it? Some childhood diseases can render an adult sterile if caught - hell my brother caught a childhood disease in his early 20's and it was harder on him then than if he had gotten it as a child.
Some of us don't have a choice (military), some of us do but is refusing putting more than just your child in danger?
Eve
18 years ago
Pretty sure it's TB (tuberculosis) that you're thinking of, since hubby mentioned it's been making a come back. I still remember getting tested for that shit in school in like the 3rd or 4th grade way back when.
Den
18 years ago
My daughter got all the vaccinations that were required, when they were required, because I've always thought the risk of catching the disease was much worse than any side effects. It's just a no brainer, as far as I'm concerned, and unless there are religious issues, I just don't get why those who refuse the inoculations, do. I think the statistics are on the sides of the shots as well.
Laschae
18 years ago
I think the report that tied vaccinations to autism is what really made some people think that they shouldn't get them. But no one really knows much about autism. And with 1 out of every 165 kids being diagnosed with varying degrees of autism I can see how it can be scary and difficult to decide what to do.
ROzbeans
18 years ago
I did look at the flip side of opting not to get vaccinations. I read that there can be up to 100+ cases a year where vaccinations had resulted in the death of the individual - ie babies. There is A LOT of talk that SIDS is directly linked to vaccinations however the evidence provided was presented on poorly html written sites that allude to non facts, scary personal stories and unsubstantiated quotes. That doesn't mean this isn't a valid concern - I know there are those who, in this day and age, do not see the value of vaccinations outweighing their baby's discomfort or worse - their death.
Catherine exhibited nothing more than flu like symptoms that were easily remedied with a little Tylenol 15 mins before the shot. All children in the medical facility she went to as a baby were required to remain in the clinic for 15-30 minutes for observation. I think the precautions in place stress that the possible after effect of the vaccination is a huge concern. On a personal note - I still think it's irresponsible as a parent to deny your child available vaccinations in the name of 'I read it on the internet'.
Would even a doctor encourage a parent NOT to vaccinate their child? A board certified, went to college and medical school, plaque on the wall, tee time on the weekend doctor.
I've personally never heard of that.
Catherine exhibited nothing more than flu like symptoms that were easily remedied with a little Tylenol 15 mins before the shot. All children in the medical facility she went to as a baby were required to remain in the clinic for 15-30 minutes for observation. I think the precautions in place stress that the possible after effect of the vaccination is a huge concern. On a personal note - I still think it's irresponsible as a parent to deny your child available vaccinations in the name of 'I read it on the internet'.
Would even a doctor encourage a parent NOT to vaccinate their child? A board certified, went to college and medical school, plaque on the wall, tee time on the weekend doctor.
I've personally never heard of that.
Sarah
18 years ago
I think that first it is not a a wholly personal decision. We vaccinate our children in order to keep them from contracting certain diseases, however the flip side of that is that we vaccinate our children to keep them from spreading certain diseases. I think it is socially irresponsible to refuse your child vaccinations because of a few Urban Legends and then expose him and your community to mumps, whooping cough, small pox or even more frightening hepatitis.
My children were vaccinated with everything required and available at the appropriate times, because the eldest has some immuno-suppression problems stemming from her birth and the second was vaccinated to keep from getting the first sick. That and I feel like it is important to protect them and those around them from these diseases.
Now my youngest has Bi-polar disorder which is parallel to the autism spectrum in the childhood psychiatry field and if I wanted to I could blame the vaccines, because they are foreign bodies placed into her system that could have caused this terrible thing. However, I'm realistic and look at my family history of brain chemical disorders and I also know that some times there is just no explanation for the things that happen.
I'm not saying that if your religion forbids it then you're irresponsible, I am saying that the person that chooses not to vaccinate their child is exposing my child, who sits next to him, to some very dangerous things and vice versa.
My children were vaccinated with everything required and available at the appropriate times, because the eldest has some immuno-suppression problems stemming from her birth and the second was vaccinated to keep from getting the first sick. That and I feel like it is important to protect them and those around them from these diseases.
Now my youngest has Bi-polar disorder which is parallel to the autism spectrum in the childhood psychiatry field and if I wanted to I could blame the vaccines, because they are foreign bodies placed into her system that could have caused this terrible thing. However, I'm realistic and look at my family history of brain chemical disorders and I also know that some times there is just no explanation for the things that happen.
I'm not saying that if your religion forbids it then you're irresponsible, I am saying that the person that chooses not to vaccinate their child is exposing my child, who sits next to him, to some very dangerous things and vice versa.
Laire
18 years ago
Darsa
18 years ago
The way I feel about it is that if it's there and if it has the potential to save my kid a lot of discomfort or future problems or God forbid even death, it would be foolish of me not to do it. I feel it's my responsibility to make sure my kid is as healthy as I can keep her, and I take that responsibility seriously. When I was pregnant my in-laws became offended at one point because I never went to visit; my husband finally had to point out that I wasn't going to sit in a room where you couldn't see the other occupants due to the haze of cigarrette smoke and breathe that crap in (heck, I hardly ever went over there before I was pregnant for the same reason!); they were good enough to make exceptions for me after that. She's 11 now, and I'm just as militant about it now ;)
And I totally disbelieve the whole autism theory; after working with a school full of autistic preschoolers, roughly a quarter of whom were NOT vaccinated due to the parents' religion, it's hard for me to see how that kind of connection was made in the first place.
And I totally disbelieve the whole autism theory; after working with a school full of autistic preschoolers, roughly a quarter of whom were NOT vaccinated due to the parents' religion, it's hard for me to see how that kind of connection was made in the first place.
ROzbeans
18 years ago
You're welcomed to a different opinion here, Laire. The only time staff will step in is if one side becomes belligerent or rude towards the other and so far no one's conveyed that feeling, so feel free to express yourself =)
Laire;85717
You're welcomed to a different opinion here, Laire. The only time staff will step in is if one side becomes belligerent or rude towards the other and so far no one's conveyed that feeling, so feel free to express yourself =)
ROzbeans
18 years ago
To me it's socially irresponsible because a non-vaccinated child runs the risk of spreading something to other people. I think that's a huge concern as well as the potential harm vaccinations can do. Damned if you do, damned if you don't, really.
As a mother, I felt compelled to vaccinate Catherine because I wanted to protect her - was I potentially subjecting her to harm anyway? Nothing is 100% safe. As a member of society - do I risk subjecting the general populace to whatever disease she might catch? I'm a mother first, but honestly it never occurred to me that I was hurting Catherine, not helping her.
As a mother, I felt compelled to vaccinate Catherine because I wanted to protect her - was I potentially subjecting her to harm anyway? Nothing is 100% safe. As a member of society - do I risk subjecting the general populace to whatever disease she might catch? I'm a mother first, but honestly it never occurred to me that I was hurting Catherine, not helping her.
Verileah
18 years ago
It's certainly not a black and white issue and I don't think it's about responsible vs. irresponsible, though I agree with Sarah's assessment. I'm certain that it's not an attitude of 'I care about my kid and no one else'. For example, this, from the CDC website, doesn't exactly inspire confidence:
While scientific evidence of a link between the MMR vaccine and autism has never been published in a peer-reviewed journal (at least as far as I know, and I keep an eye on this stuff), I don't know that it's unreasonable to be concerned. So...I have to believe that people who are not getting their children vaccinated are doing so in good faith, hard as that is when both sides start getting ornery.
A lot of the reasons I got my kid vaccinated have already been mentioned, along with reasons I disagree with foregoing vaccination. It seems to me (and I could be confused) that people who do not get their children vaccinated are relying on those of us who do take the risks they are unwilling to take, and something in that inherently bothers me. Also, there are people who, for medical reasons, -cannot- be vaccinated...it seems to me that we would want to keep the number of vaccinated as low as possible. I don't want to go on a diatribe, though; I'd much rather hear differing viewpoints.
The weight of currently available scientific evidence does not support the hypothesis that vaccines cause autism.
While scientific evidence of a link between the MMR vaccine and autism has never been published in a peer-reviewed journal (at least as far as I know, and I keep an eye on this stuff), I don't know that it's unreasonable to be concerned. So...I have to believe that people who are not getting their children vaccinated are doing so in good faith, hard as that is when both sides start getting ornery.
A lot of the reasons I got my kid vaccinated have already been mentioned, along with reasons I disagree with foregoing vaccination. It seems to me (and I could be confused) that people who do not get their children vaccinated are relying on those of us who do take the risks they are unwilling to take, and something in that inherently bothers me. Also, there are people who, for medical reasons, -cannot- be vaccinated...it seems to me that we would want to keep the number of vaccinated as low as possible. I don't want to go on a diatribe, though; I'd much rather hear differing viewpoints.
Darsa
18 years ago
You know... I, in my overwhelming naivete, NEVER thought of it this way but now that you mention it, I can see that being a possible reason for some people. You'd think I would be a little more worldly-wise in my 37 years! :rolleyes
people who do not get their children vaccinated are relying on those of us who do take the risks they are unwilling to take
You know... I, in my overwhelming naivete, NEVER thought of it this way but now that you mention it, I can see that being a possible reason for some people. You'd think I would be a little more worldly-wise in my 37 years! :rolleyes
ROzbeans
18 years ago
So I'm sitting at Jello's house yesterday and one of Mike's coworkers is there with their 5 month old. Their daughter was born an extreme preemie so I figured I'd ask what her plans were.
'So...are you vaccinating your daughter?'
My friend looked at me funny and said, 'well...why wouldn't I?'
I smiled and said, 'You know - that's a good question.' So I told her about this topic and went over both sides of the discussion.
She said, 'Well I never considered not doing it. I thought maybe they might delay her shots because she's a preemie but they've done all of them on time.'
With a preemie she can't even put her daughter in day care until she's at least 2 years old, which I didn't know. She just started bring her out to interact with people. She's an adorable little brown girl by the way =D Cute round face and cries all cute hehe.
'So...are you vaccinating your daughter?'
My friend looked at me funny and said, 'well...why wouldn't I?'
I smiled and said, 'You know - that's a good question.' So I told her about this topic and went over both sides of the discussion.
She said, 'Well I never considered not doing it. I thought maybe they might delay her shots because she's a preemie but they've done all of them on time.'
With a preemie she can't even put her daughter in day care until she's at least 2 years old, which I didn't know. She just started bring her out to interact with people. She's an adorable little brown girl by the way =D Cute round face and cries all cute hehe.
Gilae
18 years ago
I had David get his shots at the appropriate times however I think the system CAN go overboard. For example, they insisted that I get flu shots toward the end of my pregnancy and I normally have a great resistance to the flu and never was so sick in all my life as I was a week after I took that shot. So after David was born and the winter season approached they asked that I give him a flu shot and I was REALLY reluctant to do it. In the end I did, and he was sick and I wished I hadn't...but what do I really know? He might've ended up sick anyway since he had little to no immunities at that point. They also prescribed a pretty heavy drug to get rid of the allergies that he MIGHT have based on the dark circles under his eyes. I didn't end up giving him that one...I just didn't feel like the risks were worth the benefits.
My point is, that as a mother I'm too scared of refusing vaccinations...but doctors and the health community in general aren't always right and there is good reason in my opinion to be reasonably afraid of what could happen either way.
My point is, that as a mother I'm too scared of refusing vaccinations...but doctors and the health community in general aren't always right and there is good reason in my opinion to be reasonably afraid of what could happen either way.
ROzbeans
18 years ago
As a diabetic I'm suppose to get the flu shot but to this day I have yet to actually go in and do it =x Mike and Catherine go the nose drip whatever flu thing they're doing now and luckily they didn't get sick. I'm just a big puss - no unnecessary sticking =x I really haven't gotten the flu shot for catherine at all though. Mike just happened to have taken her in to an appt and they were over in the clinic anyway so they did it. As active duty, Mike gets those shots every year.
Sabby
18 years ago
So what you are saying is the socially irresponsible parent here is exposing your children to something that they (your children) are supposedly immune to, since they have already been vaccinated... aye??
I am saying that the person that chooses not to vaccinate their child is exposing my child, who sits next to him, to some very dangerous things and vice versa.
So what you are saying is the socially irresponsible parent here is exposing your children to something that they (your children) are supposedly immune to, since they have already been vaccinated... aye??
ROzbeans
18 years ago
Mutant strain!!!!! :trade :bricks
Sabreyn;85977
Your children are already vaccinated, so how could they give your child something?
Mutant strain!!!!! :trade :bricks
Sarah
18 years ago
Yes, well it sounded good in my head...
Mileron
18 years ago
Vaccinated does not necessarily mean immune.
My sister had chicken pox twice.
The girl that I had to do makeup work with when I was out for my week of CP in 2nd grade was on her third go-around.
I had my boosters as needed as I grew up (and fark, I think I'm about due for another round next year sometime) and, depending on the year (like when I got them in 1998 before summer camp) I got tremendously sick for a couple days while my body adjusted.
I do think it is irresponsible, though the actual area of irresponsibility (social, moral, ethical, religious, parental) is in the eye of the beholder, to not vaccinate your children.
Even the Amish, who condescend modern medicine, have been (according to an article I read recently due to an outbreak of some bigbadbug) required to vaccinate.
Sabreyn;85977
So what you are saying is the socially irresponsible parent here is exposing your children to something that they (your children) are supposedly immune to, since they have already been vaccinated... aye??
Vaccinated does not necessarily mean immune.
My sister had chicken pox twice.
The girl that I had to do makeup work with when I was out for my week of CP in 2nd grade was on her third go-around.
I had my boosters as needed as I grew up (and fark, I think I'm about due for another round next year sometime) and, depending on the year (like when I got them in 1998 before summer camp) I got tremendously sick for a couple days while my body adjusted.
I do think it is irresponsible, though the actual area of irresponsibility (social, moral, ethical, religious, parental) is in the eye of the beholder, to not vaccinate your children.
Even the Amish, who condescend modern medicine, have been (according to an article I read recently due to an outbreak of some bigbadbug) required to vaccinate.
Calimaryn
18 years ago
Personally, I got Angel vaccinated at the appropriate times when she was widdle. At this point in my life though, I would think twice about the current offerings of vaccinations. I feel they put too much in each individual shot. Just based on Angel's childhood reactions and such, I would have rather gotten her several more shots with less doses in each one.
Of course, I don't get a flu shot, I am sensitive to eggs. I also do not get my kitties annual shots. They are indoor only and I make sure they never get out. So far I have yet to see a compelling reason to do so. Gryphy got his kitten shots and fixed but after than I stopped.
Of course, I don't get a flu shot, I am sensitive to eggs. I also do not get my kitties annual shots. They are indoor only and I make sure they never get out. So far I have yet to see a compelling reason to do so. Gryphy got his kitten shots and fixed but after than I stopped.