Needling Questions: Immunizing Kids
If you choose not to have your child vaccinated against measles, mumps, chicken pox, and other infectious diseases, does your responsibility end there?
It’s a debate that continues as the trend for not vaccinating children increases.
Parents who believe that vaccinations are linked to autism, or who object for religious or other reasons, balk at government regulations that bar their unvaccinated children from attending school if they don’t have the required shots. One anti-vaccination group calls forced vaccination “a violation of human rights.”
But those on the opposite side of the argument say not vaccinating violates the rights of others. According to officials at the Centers for Disease Control, “The decision not to vaccinate is a decision for your child but also a decision for society.” They say that unlike other medical issues where refusing treatment affects only the patient, refusing vaccinations puts others at risk as well, including newborns and people with suppressed immune systems.
Parents of unimmunized children rely on the vast majority of kids who do get their shots, figuring there’s little polio, measles, chicken pox or other pathogens to be found among so many protected kids. But with recent measles outbreaks in four states, that protection may not be enough. “We are seeing outbreaks that look different, concentrated among intentionally unimmunized people,” says an immunization official. “I hope they’re not the beginning of a worse trend.”
Tell us what you think: When it comes to vaccinations, do parents have a responsibility beyond their own children?
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Woman/ Mother
I believe that vaccinating prolongs the virus that theya re trying to ‘guard’ against. Individuals that recieve the vaccines become carriers of the vaccine and create a threat to the unvaccinated population. The theory that vaccinations stop or guard against a virus is just that, a theory. These virus’ will never ‘go away’, why poison ones body, worse yet your babies body, and compromise ones health to ‘hope’ that you don’t get sick?
We have excellent medical technology that can treat these virus’ now.
It’s big business for the Dr., Pharmacuedical co.‘s, and the government.
My daughter reacted to the DPT when she was 18 months old. She will live with mental retardation & siezures for the rest of her life, my life and her siblings lives. My other children have never been vaccinated and never will be.
I would rather get the virus, deal with the illness and or dye, than to submit to shooting toxins into my blood stream.
Diana McCormack-Murphy | 2 weeks, 4 days ago
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Does anybody tell the truth anymore? Does anyone r
I am 25 years old. My parents chose not to have me immunized and I believe I am more healthy than most the people I know. I thank them for this wise decision all the time. My boyfriend was immunized and he has a number of health problems. Allergies, Acid reflux, migraines, kidney stones, and poor vision are among the many. I am not saying these conditions are a result of the vaccines, just making a point. I have perfect vision, I never needed braces, I don’t have any allergies that I know of and I can eat whatever I want without it affecting me. When I get sick I don’t go to the doctor. I heal naturally. Yes it might take longer for me to recover than if I run to the doctor and have them prescribe some antibiotic, but for the most part my immune system works just fine on its own. I have had chicken pox and I am still alive. I had whooping cough when I was six, so did my two younger brothers. A doctor told my mother she needed to put my youngest brother in the hospital or he would die. She did not, and the doctor refused to continue seeing us. My brother is 19 years old and healthy as a horse. I am not saying there is no need to ever go to the doctor. Even I have been a few times.I think doctors are wonderful they do save lives and I have a lot of respect for them. What I don’t have respect for are people who think that because I am not immunized I am some how a threat to society. The only people I am a threat to are the people who also are not immunized and I don’t think they mind. So far no one has dropped dead just by sitting next to me. In response to the comment in the article, “Parents of unimmunized children rely on the vast majority of kids who do get their shots, figuring there’s little polio, measles, chicken pox or other pathogens to be found among so many protected kids.” I say I don’t rely on anyone except myself. My strong healthy immune system is what keeps me from getting sick. And to you “Mr. Moral Guy” exactly what danger am I in? Stop living in fear; stop believing what you are told to believe. Step outside the box and think for yourself. I am no professional just a girl with an opinion. But I am not telling anyone what to do. It is your choice and I know you will make the “right” decision.
"Maygen Menace" | 2 weeks, 2 days ago
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the swine flu shot
i think the children need the shot more than adults
Arifa | 2 weeks, 2 days ago
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h1n1 vaccine and my toddler
i have my 3 yr old grandchild here with us. we have been weighing out pros and cons of the h1n1 vaccine. It keeps coming back to if there is a disease out there that can kill my toddler, and there is a form of meds to prevent him from getting that disease. we will vaccinate. he will get his vaccine today. of course we do get a little scared, as his half brother, not my sons child, is autistic. and 6yr old. but i ve know this little guy since he was 22 months and i am here to say he was born with the autism. but i think we are making the right decision. Jan
janice laurito | 2 weeks, 1 day ago
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parent
My son had reactions to vaccines.
I am sure they did not get reported to the Federal Gov.
It is proof enough for me to know people personally who gave their children vaccines as a baby, then had problems. Study both sides out.
I know people who get them out of fear, (fear of what the school will say, or what other people will say) then they take them home and try to naturally get rid of them. This is crazy. I am not going to let fear rule me anymore.
We are all going to die one day. I’ll gladly home school my children if I have to. In the mean time, I will help my son be healthier by helping his natural immune system. Just keep putting cancer causing agents into your own body. Don’t worry it’s just a little .. .. over time. . …
J. Reid | 2 weeks, 1 day ago
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HINI
I would like to know where can I take my 11moth old baby for the HINI vaccine, because I’m taking him out of the country and I want him top be safe
Norma Martinez | 2 weeks, 1 day ago
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Circle of Freedom
My middle school teachers taught me that I have the right to do whatever I wish, so long as it doesn’t interfere with another person’s right to do whatever she may wish to do. Choosing NOT to vaccinate is more complicated than other individual choices which really only effect the child. I hope that parents who choose not to vaccinate are prepared to refuse medical help should their children contract a disease which could have been prevented through immunization. I don’t care to share medical resources with people who make selfish and short sighted decisions. If your child gets sick, and the doctor is too busy to see me, you are invading MY circle of freedom.
Lydia Wigs | 2 weeks, 1 day ago
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idk
is so wrong to have children and not vaccinate your parents didn’t do that to you so why not vaccinate your children lets do the right thing for them
zoey gomez | 2 weeks, 1 day ago
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idk
its stupid like i mean because if you dont like to pay for vaccines of your children then why have children?
zoey gomez | 2 weeks, 1 day ago
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high intellect
all medicines are dangerous to children. Vaccines can and will ruin your lives. Don’t be led around like mindless cattle. people control people by 2 things, fear, and demoralization. Get educated! on the real danger of vaccines.
shirley barton | 1 week, 6 days ago
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