Childhood Vaccinations...would you give them to your child?

Yes, of course I would. My step-dad had polio as a kid, and I would never want to see that happen to my child.

As a pharmacist I most definitely recommend the vaccines. Yes there MAY be some risks, but there are definite risks if you don't vaccinate your child. Some even deadly.

Actually, all the studies done by the AAP have shown that vaccines don't really have many negative side effects. I assume you're mainly referring to Autism, as that's the big one right now. I do my research on every single vaccine the doctor tells me my daughter is getting before they administer them. If I find some type of inconsistency, or something I'm not sure about; I talk it over with her doctor, family and friends. If I found something that just really made me uneasy, I don't suppose I'd get her vaccinated. But, right now, all the vaccines she's being given are things that prevent diseases and problems that ARE happening RIGHT NOW in this world. Why would someone NOT vaccinate their child against all that?

I have been vaccinated as a kid and yes my kids will be vaccinated as well. I did a research paper on the ups and downs of vaccinations and the benefits far outdo the risks.

if you don't get your measles shot the side effect is measles. If you don't get your poli shot, the side effect is possible poli. If everyone stops giving vaccinations, we will be back into the days of epidemics, plagues, and outbreaks of cities dying from diseases, and churches and hospitals full of quarantined individuals. This of course would not happen constantly. Only when there is a breakout and an epidemic. Also if you don't vaccinate your kids they can't travel out of country.

Fellow non-vaccinator here And the herd isn't weakened unless less than 85 percent of the population is not in compliance for vaccines. Say pertussis, it has a 95 percent compliance rate in the US, so hysterical uneducated parents who are under the myth that my nonvaccinated children will get you kids sick is completely false. Another common myth, you can't go to school without the immunizations. Wrong. Here is the site to the National vaccine information center, exemptions are in the left blue box, click on your state http://www.909shot.com Here's another common myth. Well Measles is on the rise, your child could die from not getting the shot. Yep, but chances of dying from getting the shot are higher. 14 kids died from the measles vaccination in a 4 year period (go ahead check the site above). Yet those that had serious complications from measles were 1 in 10 years. Measles only accounts for 100 cases in the US annually. 1 in 1000 will have a serious reaction from measles. As a child I had 11 shots total, kids today get 32 and counting... The MMR was not combined until 1980, so those that say it was fine for me, most of you didn't get it, I didn't I am too old. Detroit, the chicken pox vaccine is a new vaccine, you couldn't have had it as a child unless you are still a child. Chicken pox has a side effect of guillam barre syndrome and is only 44 percent effective, with 67 percent chance of side effects. Because vaccines aren't peer reviewed double blinded studies are all the more reason to not have a mandate. http://www.njvaccinationchoice.org/topten.html Think twice lists several studies that have been published, and do link vaccines to various autoimmune disorders. Many have testified at congressional hearings. I have personally talked with gastroenterologist Dr. Andrew Wakefield at an autism conference in 2003 where he presented.

Yes I would. The only reason why these diseases are so "rare" (as the other woman put it) is because practically everyone else is vaccinated. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vaccine_controversy#Events_following_reductions_in_vaccination I am sure there are some side effects, but I am not risking a infant's life by not protecting them from measles, smallpox, whooping cough, polio, etc. http://www.opinionjournal.com/editorial/feature.html?id=110004700 And I would like a source for this law that prevents the free speech of the press. As well as the studies that prove that childhood vaccinations are bad.... have you read them yourself? I suggest that before you have kids, you do more research on both sides and make propaganda-free decision. Maybe do a term paper on it in college.

No, I would no longer vaccinate my child if I had another one. But you won't get many people agreeing with me. I have done my own research and there are risks both ways. There are risks crossing the road every day. it is up to the individual to way up the risks. But one thing is for sure, sometimes governments hide things from the general public. It would be great if all the facts were available for everyone to make an educated decision. Unfortunately that no longer happens. All I can say is do your own research. Gather your information from unbiased individuals and many sources. Then make the best decision you know how to make. After that, whatever happens happens. Doing it presents a definite risk. Not doing it presents a risk. Catch 22!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We used to vaccinate, my oldest is fully vaccinated, my 2nd we were more selective (he didn't get MMR, Chicken pox, hep a or flu), the youngest gets none and my older 2 don't get any anymore either. Before doing the research I never even thought twice about it but after doing the research and looking at the risks of the diseases vs the vaccine we have decided for OUR kids it's riskier to do the vaccines. Most of these diseases are rare and with the medical advances we have now to treat them they are very rarely deadly. Vaccines can cause so many problems, some not reversible. I would personally rather take a chance that they might get a disease that we can treat and is rarely deadly then to inject them with something that hs alot more reports of bad side effects. Beth www.modern-mommies.com Adding.... Actually the diseases and mortality rates were on the decline before the vaccines were introduced due to nutrition, sanitation and just medical advances in treating the diseases to help prevent them spreading so much. Also just because my child isn't vaccinated does not mean they are going to get another child sick. If you feel the vaccines are so great why would you even worry about, they work right? Also when's the last time all of the adults here got updated on vaccines, the ones you got as a child are more than likely not effective anymore but are you a horrible person for being around yours and other kids? You don't just carry the disease around with you because you aren't vaccinated. I think some of these people really should do some more research on it before replying with what they did. Like I posted before the rates of these diseases were already on the decline and much lower before the introduction of vaccines due to improved nutrition, sanitation and treatment of the diseases...the vaccines didn't just come along and fully do it. Actually you don't have to have vaccines to go to school, I think it's only 2 states that don't allow personal exemption now, I'd have to look at that again though. My oldest is 5 and is not up to date and is in public school, my 3yr old is also in preschool And there is proof that vaccines can cause problems, no there is no proof that vaccines cause autism. I don't think they cause autism in just any kid, Ithink it's certain kids that it does cause it though. And if there ws no connection there woud be court cases, recent, that the parents have received money from vaccine makers because of it. My worry isn't just autism, though it's a concern, it's many things, they can cause so many problems. Yes vaccines can reduce your chance of getting something (and I don't think that vaccines should be banned or anything like that, I really feel it's a personal decision but I do wish more people knew the BENEFITS of BOTH sides) but they aren't fully effective, and most adults aren't current on vaccines and have just as much chance spreading something IF there were an outbreak as an unvaccinated child...and even vaccinated ones. Most of these diseases aren't very deadly as I have said before and with most of them you also get lifetime immunity, a vaccine doesn't give you that. Also the CDC themselves have said they can't say for sure autism isn't caused by vaccines. I do what I feel is best for my kids, for instance I breastfeed exclusively for many reasons but one is to boost their immune system naturally, my breastfeeding them helps build their immune system and helps keep alot of these diseases away from them for the first 6-12mo depending on what it is, I give them that protection and then after a year (which I'm still nursing my 13mo old) but they just get stronger and stronger and build their immune system through normal childhood colds and stomach bugs and get stronger so IF they did come into contact with something I've done everything to help their bodies be able to fight it off. Vaccinated kids are at risk most of the 1st year because they are constantly getting vaccines that make their immune system weak for awhile..and you have to continue to get boosters through adulthood to try and keep your immunity up, why not just let it be as strong as it can and build naturally. Oh and yes I have a pediatrician who fully supports us in our decision and is selective in the vaccines she gives her own kids as well. She is there to answer any questions we may have but doesn't push them on us