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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W.H.O. are doing good?
anybody don’t want there child to be sick, so we don’t have a choice, virus and infections are already spreading around the world, the only things we do is to consult our pediatrician ask for there advice, make sure your baby is on condition and in good health before giving shot.
We hoping that scientist, drug manufacturer and W.H.O. doing there best not for there “OWN INTEREST”?>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>?<>??>&(&(&(&(^$#%$#%?>:?
strangers | 1 month, 1 week ago
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vaccines
can they keep you out of school if you do not give vaccines to children, or dont accept them in ther school.
judy yankowski | 1 month, 1 week ago
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it's not rocket science
I have a 6 month old daughter that I want to do right by. I don’t want to intoxicate her body with unhealthy things and by no means do I want to cause harm to her. That is why I have chosen to vaccinate her. Do we not see this trend already causing issues in the world. Not vaccinating our children is already making old not seen in years diseases come back. You are crazy if you think that these diseases are back because we vaccinated our kids. Up until these last 5-6 years everyone was still vaccinating and since this trend hit the street and all these unproven theories, no one thought twice about vaccines and you didn’t hear about any kids having whooping cough or any thing. Now it’s back. Do the math here people. At this rate these unvaccinated kids could cause the epidemic that wipes out millions of people if not the whole world. I would like my children to ba able to live a full healthy life and I’m sure you all do too. Let’s be realistic and not take out of the equation the things that we have been doing for years and years before all these all natural no medicines groups came about that have kept all of our elders alive and well for so long.I know that it only takes 1 unvaccinated child to contaminate a whole classroom and that first bug might not be the issue but what that bug transforms into is what scares me. All these diseases can mutate into the superbugs we are hearing about and no cure for those can be even bigger of a problem. So be wise and immunize, its safer for all of us…
Amanda Morse | 1 month, 1 week ago
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This decision is
This is becoming a more and more difficult decision for parents
Linda Wood | 1 month, 1 week ago
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Informed Choice
This decision is becoming increasingly difficult. It is so easy to say the (presumed) benefits outweigh the risks, but no matter how small the percentage of serious side effects, if it is YOUR child (or grandchild) who suffers them, nothing else is going to matter! My dear friend’s little granddaughter became blind, deaf, and helpless in a wheel chair as a result of reactions to a vaccination. She has no hope of recovery—is that somehow better than the possibility of catching some childhood illness? How can children’s natural immune systems fully develop if they are injected with so many vaccines? Germs mutate constantly—much faster than vaccines can be developed, that may still be powerless against them.
The risk of allergic reaction is greater for any medication given by injection. And why won’t doctors, nurses, and lab technicians show the simple kindness dentists do, who before injecting novacaine for a filling swab on a topical anesthetic so the patient won’t feel the needle? Would that be such a sacrifice of their time and profits?
My own daughter is now grown; but if I could do it over again, I would never put her through any of this. That decision, of course, is only for parents to make regarding their own children. What IS “irresponsible” is failing to be adequately informed—read and study everything available, and then some more, before
making any choices that affect your precious little ones! And keep in mind the old “Golden Rule:” if you were in their place, what would you want?
Linda Wood | 1 month, 1 week ago
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zachsmom
It’s funny how people rely on the media to tell all sides. Does anyone do their own research? If a child is vaccinated, that doesn’t mean that they won’t ever carry that virus in their nose or throat. So, children not being vaccinated are not the only ones that could carry. And, how can hundreds of thousands of parents be wrong that their “child is completely different and there is something wrong” after a certain vaccine. I think that number is a little high for coincidence.
Angie | 1 month, 1 week ago
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Grandma of autistic child
I’m with “Educate Yourselves”, though I doubt most of you are willing to spend the $22 to learn. My grandson was a healthy, happy baby boy until he received the
mandated DPT shot. After that it was like there was nobody home. You can’t tell me that the pertusis part of the vaccine wasn’t what caused his severe autism. It is commonly known among the health community that there are a percentage of babies that will be accected this way- WILL be affected- not MAYBE. If you’re willing to follow like lambs and take that risk, be my guest and risk your child’s mentality.
Candace Garrett | 1 month, 1 week ago
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Luchadora
Thank you for your comment. You brought up some very good points. I have also made the VERY difficult decision not to vaccinate. I have spent countless hours reading, and researching for the past 17 years on the subject. I don’t know it all, but I know enough to make an educated decision for my (very healthy) family.
Lucha | 1 month, 1 week ago
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Autism and Child Vaccines
There is a saying: “Belief kills and belief cures”. Your belief will either kill you or cure you. I have the good fortune of coming from a country that mandates vaccination after six months of birth. As a result, there is the eradiation of polio, reduction of whooping cough, measles, mumps and diptheria. No child is allowed to start any school (public or private) without being vaccinated. It saved lives, money and for the most part, everyone enjoys good health under our beautiful lush greenery and sunshine. My humble advice to young parents is to act responsibly, vaccinate your child and save yourself, neighbors and your little darling(s). It never has nor never will cause Autism. Don’t believe the hype, read widely and intelligently and let your heart be your guide. Be blessed.
Daliah A. Kelly | 1 month ago
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Grandmother
I’m concerned—my grandchildren returned to the Dr. to get their second—or follow up dose of immunization for the seasonal flu shot. After registering the children, was informed the kids didn’t recieve the first shot—but instead had the H1N1 immunization. My daughter is livid—after much deliberation and lack of literature for the long term effects of this H1N1—they had chosen not to immunize against H1N1. ONLY TO FIND OUT THAT there had been some mistake when giving the shot. PARENTS——PLEASE take every precaution to make sure your child is getting what you have been recommended to get!!!!
Diana Wathen | 1 month ago
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