The Responsibility Project^®. Exploring what it means to do the right thing

Sticking Points

865 Comments

July 1, 2008 by Kathy McManus

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, 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?

865 Comments

What do you think? Leave a comment

• July 1, 2008 by HaHa

  I mean, if you wanna not have your kids -- have none of them. Then, well, you can call the shots.

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  • July 17, 2008 by Concerned Mother

    Deciding not to vaccinate is not a personal choice, it's a public health choice. It's not about, "I am willing to risk my child getting diphtheria or measles." It is think like this, "I am willing to risk my child getting diphtheria or measles (or polio, chickenpox, rotavirus, meningitis, etc) and I am willing to let my child be a breeding site for these germs likely spread them to others who may die or become seriously injured from them, or merely pass on the germs to another child who then passes them on to an infant or immune compromised person who then dies or is seriously injured." Vaccinating is not a private choice. It's a choice you make for other people, too, not unlike smoking in an elevator.

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    • July 17, 2008 by Dawncrim

      I guess you've never read the vaccine literature that comes inside of the box with the vaccine. Be sure to check it out next time you are at the doctor's office. A person vaccinated with a live-virus vaccine poses a contagious threat to pregnant persons, infants, and immune-compromised individuals for up to 6 weeks. Now, if you want to shoot your kids up with known neurotoxins (not just mercury), be my guest. Keep my children out of it. I will tell you this: I will be quite upset when my child eventually goes to kindergarten only to find that they have "dumber" down the curriculum yet again to accommodate the rest of society and their neurological challenges.

    • February 19, 2009 by Ann Heinl

      If your vaccine is 'working' you should be thrilled that you are protected from all diseases. BUT since you want to impose vaccines on all people, you must really believe the vaccines DON"T work. Let parents choose to NOT vaccinate for the health of their own children. You can vaccinate and believe in 'ultimate protection' from the ' un-vaccinated bunch', but DON"T force your vaccines on me!

    • March 6, 2009 by Ali

      Concerned Mother, first of all, your vaccinated child(ren) shouldn't have to worry, if the vaccines worked then they are "immune". Measles won't kill our kids, most likely your parents had it and lived to tell the tale. Chickenpox won't kill our kids, it gives them better immunity if they catch the real disease. Rotavirus isn't an issue if you are breastfeeding, the lactahedrin protein in breast milk tricks the virus into attaching itself to it and flushes it out the baby's system, thereby the infant feels no ill effects from the virus. Diphtheria has an anti-toxin. Meningitis has antibiotics, 90% of kids who acquire meningitis do so after the vaccine. Our kids don't live in filthy conditions and have food to eat, meaning they are somewhat healthier. (Our food supply is a whole other issue) I've done research for over 14 years and would be glad to answer any more comments you may have.

    • March 6, 2009 by Get the facts first please

      Why would any unvaccinated child which you describe to be "breeding site" for germs be any threat to your proposed "germ-free" children? Don't your precious vaccines protect them from my alleged germ-infested monster? You might want to research who typically gets these diseases....the majority...are those which come from the vaccines themselves.

    • March 9, 2009 by Buck

      Assuming you're not cointelpro, I want to point out that an unvaccinated child is not contagious, and if the vaccines work then the vaccinated children are in no danger from anyone with the diseases. Don't you have faith in the vaccines? If they have the vaccines, it doesn't matter if people around them have the disease - that's the main idea isn't it? Vaccines contain microplasms, MSG, aspartame, cancer causing viruses and the latest is bird flu H5N1. They're killing our children, and no one has any reason to make up this proven and well documented fact.

    • March 14, 2009 by Randall

      If your are vaccinated, you should be protected against people who are not vaccinated. So what is your problem? Let people decide for themselves and don't try to force them to do what you want. Live and let live.

    • March 26, 2009 by john

      Until the doctors make us look at diet and why we get sick then we will continue to blame the virus and other things. Meat, dairy and toxic food is killing us. i have raised my son and i for the last three years on a vegan diet, no vaccines and never got sick. We go to fast food restaurants with enough toxins that could burn a hole through a computer cord. Once you understand this and receive insight you will understand the vaccine dilemma.

    • March 26, 2009 by john

      Remember that we dont catch a cold, we earn it. We make the personal choices t end up where we are. Like emotions, if our bodies are healthy then we will not be effected as much. Amen. It is sad that a parent gives a vaccine and then goes to a fast food restaurant and wonders why there child is so messed up.

    • April 17, 2010 by think twice

      There is a false premise out there that vaccinations prevent disease. This is false! You want a little bit of proof? As stated in Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine , 6th edition, p. 943: "RARELY IS PREVENTION OF INFECTION PER SE CONSIDERED TO BE AN IMPORTANT GOAL OF VACCINATION. In fact, asymptomatic infection after vaccination can serve to enhance and prolong the immune response." There you have it folks, right from their own literature. Ask yourself this question: If viruses, bacteria, heavy metals, foreiegn RNA and DNA, and chemicals such as antifreeze are harmful to my health, then what sort of magic happens when this is injected into the bloodstream to promote health? Also, there is another false notion that vaccines save lives, but they can not name one single individual who has been saved by vaccinations. Compare that for example with the HPV vaccines where you can actually find victims of vaccinations testifying on how much harm was done to them on You Tube. Just recently there was a report on how your instance of contracting H1N1 goes up 70% when taking the "normal" flu vaccine. Wait a minute, I thought vaccines were supposed prevent disease, not cause disease. It was also reported that the latest roto virus vaccines were pulled off the market because it was contaminated with pig virus. Does SV40 ring a bell? Or better yet Swine Flu! I guess it is your right as a person to pay for getting poisoned, my only gripe is don't force me to get poisoned or my child to get poisoned. The game of Russian Roulette is not for the people who choose not to get vaccinated, but it is for the people who choose to get vaccinated. Remember folks, you live in a world that is upside down. Jesus Christ himself said that Satan was the prince of this world. Be very careful out there!

    • April 18, 2010 by Bob C

      You are seriously brainwashed, not a personal choice? My daughter, who was not vaccinated, caught whooping cough from a boy who was vaccinated. Was that her choice?. A friend of mine's son went into seizures after getting the DPT shot. Why would you inject a bunch of diseases into a child with an immature immune system. Do you wonder why autoimmune diseases, once unknown, are now common. You need to educate yourself and stop listening to"experts."

    • April 30, 2010 by Jennifer b

      I think every parent has the right to choose or not to choose. i think your being a hypo-chondract. Let me relay an image to you about vaccines. Your pregnant with your new baby, who has never even been introduced to anything in the world, except for the food you eat and drink, right? So why would you inject so many harmful live viruses into your newborn baby, who just came into this world and has never been exposed to anything yet? Also in the bible days, before christ, they never even invented vaccinations, and look how long they lived. Some lived to be 100 years old or even older. I wish I would have known what I do now about vaccines, or I would have never gotten my children vaccinate, one sufffers from mild autisim and my other is delayed in speech. So u tell me why we have to protect our children from other children who are not vaccinated, the only difference is they wont reap the harmful affects.

    • May 26, 2010 by George

      If People are already Vaccinated, AND the vaccination does what is intended for, then those vaccinated individuals should not get the illness...do you worry that vaccines don't do what they are intended for?

    • June 13, 2010 by Rick

      Vaccines do work they always have !! Where would we be without them, millions of us would have died, including your children and your neighbors children, I have seen my cousin almost die from measles in the early 60s, and the devistating effects of polio, you should see people die of preventable diseases, it will change your ignorent attitude on vaccines!!

    • August 10, 2010 by Richard Van Dyke

      "Live virus vaccines against influenza or poliomyelitis may in each instance produce the disease it intended to prevent. The live virus against measles and mumps may produce such side effects as encephalitis (brain damage)" Jonas and Darrell Salk, 1977

      "The only safe vaccine is one that is never used." Dr. James R. Shannon, former Director, National Institute of Health

      I suppose the severe reactions our son had to vaccinations the first two years of life and the horrible encephalapothy, gut damage, etc...and now life long struggles isn't enough for me as a parent to say "Hell no - I'm never going to allow my children to be vaccinated".

      All vaccines cause neurological damage - to everyone who gets injected. The AMA does not know enough about a one size fits all drug being injected into everyone at every age. They do know the effects are causing the deseases to mutate over time -just like the ever present flu virus.

      Come on people - how many drugs have been recalled because they are killing people? (Hundreds) Now - How many vaccines? (None)

  • February 24, 2009 by Bruce Knight

    There seems to be a rush to blame hesitant parents for the recent outbreak of HIV and other diseases when much of the problem appears to fall squarely in the hands of the CDC, FDA, and the vaccine manufacturers. Our grandson became severely ill after his first round of vaccines. At the emergency room he received spinal taps and other lifesaving procedures. Afterwords we read a press release from a large pharmaceutical company and found that one of the six vaccines injected into our infant grandson was recalled by them for bacterial contamination. In spite of the CDC and FDA stating there had been no adverse reactions from the recalled vaccines, the pharmaceutical company treated us extremely rude when we advised them of the severe reaction. They immediately began reading legalese as to why they were not responsible for anything, even before examining the case (It seems obvious there will not be any reports of adverse reactions if all reports are ignored). The company continually lost critical paperwork, and finally wrote a letter that I interpreted as clearly stating, “Go ahead and try and take legal action in federal vaccine court where we are totally protected by the government - even when we produce contaminated products.” I believe parents are rightfully scared due to the huge change in the way vaccines are now administered. Instead of giving children the twelve or so critical vaccines one at a time, vaccine manufacturers have invented another twenty-four vaccines over the last 20 years that are now administered a whopping six at a time. The six-at-a-time strategy assures that blame cannot be placed on anyone. If babies become ill, so be it, from our experience vaccine companies like the pharmaceutical company we dealt with, could care less. Even when they produce and recall contaminated vaccines that are injected into infants that become critically ill, the company still does not take any responsibility.

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    • April 17, 2010 by jennifer maffei

      I am pregnant now and I am NOT going to have my child druged with dangerous chemicals. My mother is upset with me but I think after she reads some of the letters I've read on this site she might believe me and you. I feel it's simple population control. Did you know that the so called safe H1N1 had many many extra viruses in it? Ex. 1900 like virus, 2000 like and so on. It's very scary espcially when Nation security is now involving itself in this.

  • March 25, 2009 by Amy

    Can you please explain to me, then, why my 2-year-old vaccinated son developed a case of rotovirus and my 7-month-old daughter who tandem nursed with him and has physical contact with him on a day-to-day basis, mixing saliva and germs, didn't get it although she is unvaccinated?

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    • April 1, 2009 by Ali

      Hi the reason your breastfeeding daughter didn't get rota virus is simple. The protein in breast milk, specifically lactahedrin, tricks the virus into attaching itself to it, and is flushed out the baby's system w/ the next BM. The virus "thinks" it's attaching itself to the intestinal wall, and thereby the child feels no ill effects from the virus. I hope this makes sense. Your son may have not been nursing as much or taken in enough breast milk to prevent this. I did a huge report on this is my micro class before finishing my nursing degree. It infuriates me that pediatric persons don't tell parents this and vaccine manufacturers profit off of us, parents PLEASE EDUCATE YOURSELVES!!!!!

  • June 11, 2009 by michelle petersen

    You don't know too much about this subject do you? You need to stop spreading your rumors unless you know what you are talking about. It isn't just autism that vaccines cause! It looks as if one has injured you!

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    • June 13, 2010 by Rick

      There is nothing wrong with being vaccinated you tube is BS not science, vaccinations work they have saved millions of lives, ever seen anyone with polio ? I have, just preventing that one disease was a miracle in itself! Don't get you children vaccinated and all of the diseases that have been prevented will start killing children I mean alot of children!!! Get a grip! Read the real science on vaccinations not crap from a crackpot, VACCINES ARE SAFE AND EFFECTIVE!!!

    • August 20, 2010 by jessica

      Why does everybody talk to eachother in such a rude manner?

  • January 28, 2010 by MatoGrandma

    Most vaccines have cancer inducing chemicals in them, they also hae neurotoxins in them, it is my responsibility to ensure no harm comes to my child. I will decide whether or not my child will be injected with Sv-40, or MF-59, or eythlene glycol, or any polymers that cause cancer.

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  • February 5, 2010 by art

    Why would you inject a baby or a child with mercury, aluminum, formaldehyde, MSG, chick embryo or aborted fetal tissue

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  • March 16, 2010 by Martha Barrett

    My son has autism and i believe it to be caused by the vaccines he recieved when he was born. And i also believe that I am not the only mother who feels that way. I stoped my sons shots at the age of 5, and now I am getting alot of greive for it.The goverment needs to pass a bill to make our childrens vaccines green and safe for ALL of our kids.

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  • March 16, 2010 by Martha Barrett

    I have a 5 year old son and i believe he has autism and i also bellieve he recieved it from the vaccines he got as an infant. there seem to be a growing number of children that have autism. The government HAS to pass a bill to make our vaccines GREEN for all of our children. Our kids should not have to suffer because of the mistakes of ignorance. Spread the word MAKE OUR VACCINES GREEN.

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    • June 10, 2010 by jj

      well i have a deep feeling with regard to autism, i believe that if a parent is older that that is the direct cause for autism , not shots given to a child.

    • July 28, 2010 by Jennifer

      Bullfeathers! I was a young mom at 21 with my first and both he and my daughter that I had later at 25. My eldest was affected with a mild form of autism, but my daughter was not in the least affected by the shots. If it was because of age that autism shows up, then your theory is shot to H*&(.

• July 1, 2008 by The Moral Guy

  From the perspective of moral responsibility, parents have an obligation to have their children vaccinated in order to protect other kids from getting life-threatening illnesses. But to those who argue that vaccinations cause other health issues like autism, I have just one thing to say: you are just crazy. Period. Whether or not that sounds harsh, there is absolutely no scientific evidence whatsoever which even hints at a link between vaccinations and autism. However this half-baked rumor got started, it needs to stop; parents who buy into it are only putting their on children in danger. --"The Moral Guy"

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  • July 12, 2008 by Dawncrim

    No link between vaccines and Autism? I guess you aren't aware of Julie Gerberding's recent admission (director of the CDC - the previous studies were useless and Dr. Bernadine Healy (former director of the NIH)- who scolded our government agencies for not studying regressive autism/vaccines. Please do your homework before commenting on the subject.

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    • July 17, 2008 by Concerned Mother

      The gang from the Evidence of Harm Yahoo! group who has been encouraged to descend on this blog to spread anti- vaccine lies and hatred are wrong. Julie Gerberding didn't admit anything of the sort and Bernardine Healy is a political hack who has had years of selling her soul to the tobacco companies saying smoking is not unhealthy. There is no connection between vaccines and autism outside of the fevered, greedy imaginations of a handful of angry anti vaccine parents many of whom are litigants hoping to cash in on a vaccine lawsuit.

  • July 13, 2008 by Patrick's mommy

    I have been reading all I can on this matter. Different stories, facts, blogs, you name it. And, if you look at the studies from several years ago to now, one thing that frightens me are the mercury levels in even the flu shot alone. In the 80's, people only had 4 micrograms of mercury over several years total. Today, there are 25 micrograms of mercury in one single flu shot! Also, the number of vaccines have about tripled over the years. One part of me says, "as a parent, protect your child. Trust the only person you can in this matter.. Your pediatrician." But, on the other side, "protect your child, and trust what God gave you..Motherly instinct and intuition."

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  • July 13, 2008 by caringmom

    Moral guy, you may or may not be one of those people who believe everything they tell you. If you really want to know the truth about all the side affects from vaccines, go to the CDC website and try to find the statistics (just for the record they are very hard to find). But once you find them, you will realize the truth. I have never gotten my child one vaccination and she is healthier than any other child in my family, neighborhood or school. Just an example of the information you could find on the CDC website, if you look long and hard enough is in 15 years (80-95) there were 15 deaths from pertussis. In 1998 alone, there were 17 deaths the day after the pertussis vaccine was given. Gee, is everything they tell you the whole truth? You do the math, is it worth the risk? As a mother I would rather take the 92 in 15 years, than 17 in 1 chance. Here's another statistic for you in 2003, 120 cases of pertussis were reported in Fon du Lac Wisconsin. State public health department said the county had 99.99% vaccination rate. So if everyone did the right thing and got the vaccination, why were 120 cases reported? The same type information is available from the CDC on all the other vaccines, it will just take you a long time to do all the research and get the numbers, but before you go getting all "moral" on the subject, know all the facts. As for autism, why are there 1 in 150 children with autism in the US but in the Amish community where they don't believe in vaccinations is there NOT ONE single case of autism?

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  • April 2, 2009 by Fay

    Be careful what you say without doing any research.

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  • April 29, 2009 by mom

    The measles and chicken pox are not life threatening diseases to all. If parents would raise their children in healthy atmospheres including breastfeeding and get the right nutrition, their immune systems would do the work for them. Our problem is too many people believe these companies who do not have our best interest at heart. Almost 50 girls have died in 2 years from the Gardasil vaccine. But yet the government says that is not enough deaths to force the pharmaceutical companies to fix the vaccine. If you were the parent of one of those 50 girls, what would you think? I am not against vaccines, just unsafe vaccines. The world has survived for thousands of years without vaccines and pharmaceuticals. Our culture has gotten accustomed to a quick fix that inevitably hurts us more than it helps.

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  • April 30, 2009 by Crystal Anderson

    I believe you should check your facts before giving any advice! There is a link from the shots in small babies to the amount of increased cases of autism. The shots they are giving are mass produced. Their all the same dosage, why? My son is smaller than your son. My son's older than your son, then why would they be given the same dosage? Also, in 1983 children were to get 12 shots containing 30 vaccines, as of 2008, children before age 6 were to get 36 shots containing 121 vaccines. You do the math to why there has been an 800% rise in cases of autism in the us? There are many problems and questions parents have that are not being answer and until that time, being careful is not a crime. I believe by the time kids are to go to school they should be fully vaccinated, but until that time, it is the parents choice to protect their children, however they see fit.

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    • April 30, 2009 by Cheryl

      Autism is just a relatively new diagnosis. Before, when a child was developmentally challenged, they were labeled retarded. But that was too restrictive for an illness that can span from idiot-savant, to high IQ with Aspbergers, to a child who wears a diaper at 6 and bashes it's head against the wall. At the higher end of the spectrum, these children are clearly not "retarded," but are also not necessary progressing normally. So the term "autism" was created to classify a portion of what used to have been classified mentally retarded. Few had ever heard the term autism 30 years ago or less.

  • May 3, 2009 by Amy B

    Your an uneducated idiot! You must have brain damage right now from mercury poisoning to believe that!

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  • May 4, 2009 by crystal loxley

    i used to believe the same way you do until I studied on it and autism is not the only reason not to vaccinate, read up on it before judging, people!

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  • May 4, 2009 by crystal

    If your vaccinations are so good why are you worried about whether or not someone else's child is vaccinated since your child, who has been vaccinated, has a special disease force field around them and can't get anything my daughter may get.

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  • May 10, 2009 by Jordan

    If you did any research at all before your posted your "harsh" comment. Then you might have thought twice. Nobody is saying that every child who has been diagnosed with Autism is a result of getting vaccinated. LOOK AT THE STATISTICS. 10 years ago when children got about 8 vaccinations, the rate of a diagnosed case of Autism was 1 in 10000. Now, when children get up to 30 vaccinations, the rate of Autism is now 1 in 250. Let’s think about this shall we. You should really look into this a little bit more before you go calling people "crazy". My father is a physician, and you have to realize that just because someone has been taught to give vaccines because that’s what he/she is supposed to do, doesn't mean it's the best thing to do. A doctor doesn't ALWAYS know.

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  • May 10, 2009 by Jordan

    I just read your comment. And from the get go I was very hesitant to get my daughter vaccinated. I have just recently decided to stand my ground and hold off on the shots. But when you mentioned RSV it rang a bell. Since my daughter has had her 4mo. shots, (she is now 7mos.) right after she had her shots thought, she contracted RSV and I mean BAD. She was really sick for almost 2 weeks. She doesn’t go to daycare; she is in no setting where she could have possibly contracted this from someone else who had it.

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    • May 11, 2009 by cekeste

      Do you go outside? Do you check your mail? Are you married-and does he EVER leave the house? If your answer to any of these is yes, then your daughter probably got RSV from a germ you/your husband brought in from work/grocery store/piece of mail/touching anything outside of your home. The only thing you can do to make your child safe from RSV and other infectious diseases(other than vaccinating your kids) is to WASH YOUR HANDS-OFTEN.

  • June 5, 2009 by Lynda Lambert

    I am not against vaccination. However, saying that people who do not vaccinate are crazy or irresponsible comes from only those who are not informed. Read the testimony given by doctors and researchers in front of the CDC. Use your brain to see the logic of it. I did 6 months of research on this topic and found that many other countries, who are open-minded, are finding that not only may early vaccination, too much vaccination, and the contaminants in vaccinations harm children, but, in many cases, they do not prevent disease. A study in England actually showed a decline in mumps when fewer parents opted for the MMR. There is also the issue of preservatives. Flu shots, for instance, are still preserved with mercury; others are preserved with aluminum. These metals may not be lethal if you look at only one shot. But if you look at 22 shots, given in only 3 years, when a child's immune system is not developed and they are vulnerable, then you can see how the nervous system and brain could be affected. Parents are erring on the side of caution, which used to be a good thing. Too much evidence exists to show a link between allergies, intestinal problems, and, yes, autism, for the medical community to dismiss the link out of hand-- even though they do. Vaccinations are dangerous and have always been thought to be; but, for some reason, now, we don't want to admit it. Tell the young nurse who responded to an article I wrote about this how foolish she is. Her healthy baby was given a DPT shot at 10 am, had a fever by 2, and was dead by 7.

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  • June 23, 2009 by Facts/Research DO NOT LIE

    To the moral guy and all other who take a hard stance either way. This is America, the land of the free. I believe every parent has a right to educate themselves and make whatever decision feels right for them and their child. You can go research both sides. Example, go to http://www.fourteenstudies.org/ and http://www.know-vaccines.org/ and http://www.ageofautism.com/2009/03/david-kirby-us-health-officials-back-study-idea-on-vaccinated-vs-unvaccinated-children-will-media-ta.html.

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  • July 12, 2009 by JF

    I would first like to say that I do believe in vaccinations but I don't think you have a clue. My son was vaccinated with MMR vaccine which was not long after his second birthday in which he stopped talking. We could not take him out of the house because of his outburst and it was not the terrible two's. Our pediatrician did not believe us so we had taken him to a couple of specialists and he was diagnosed with at that time was called PDD, which is a form of autism. At this point in time, he has Asperser’s Syndrome. This is the reader’s digest version but there are countless numbers of families that have the same story as me and I think it is a big cover-up between pediatricians, drug companies and the government. I think that if you’re going to give the MMR to a child then you need to have the vaccine separated and give it in three shots instead of the one. Unless you have walked in the shoes of someone who has experienced going through this then I would not shoot off my mouth.

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  • July 31, 2009 by Sonya N.

    I just don't understand the importance. I got vaccinated as a child and still got most of the things I was vaccinated for. What's the point?

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  • August 7, 2009 by Marcy

    Actually, it is not crazy! I have had five children. One of them has passed, three of my others have had all of their vaccinations. The three that have had them all have been sick with chicken pox, flu, strept throat, colds, etc throughout their lives. With my last one, I decided that I was not going to get all of those shots for him. He is five years old. Guess what? He has never so much as even caught a cold. I don't want that crap shot up in him either but unfortunately when I went to enroll him in school I found out that he can't begin without them. It's not right and it goes against my right as an American Citizen. My son has never been sick, ever! So, how in the world could he pass anything to anyone else?

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    • August 31, 2010 by joy

      I have four kids. Three have complete immunizations. They have been to the hospital for many illness. My final child, who is 13 did not get hers. Other than having chicken pox which she got from her older sister, she has not been to a doctor, and it as healthy as they come. Today they sent her home from her first day of school due to no immuniztion record, though she has attended there from kindergarten without. It is my choice to vaccinate my child. I can sign a waiver due to religious beliefs, but not any other reason. I don't have any religious objections, rather medical ones. So, I either get her the shots, or say it's against my religion.

  • September 12, 2009 by Dom Dubaman

    You expect intelligent people to believe there is no link to shots and autism. I bet you are one of those who does not believe in God because there is no scientific proof. I feel for you really i do.

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  • November 19, 2009 by Steven Gomes

    if you read the history behind all of these diseases you will find that the diseases increased as innoculations increased and decreased as innoculation did. Please learn your bodies,you can't catch a virus like a baseball.coughing,sneezing,runny nose and vomitting are all signs that the body is trying to heal itself. Healing does'nt come by way of a pill or serum but a healthy diet full of fruits and vegetables without any meat or red meat. I find it hard to believe that western medicine can't heal the common cold, but can prevent a so called" deadly virus". We teach our kids to say no to drugs but we willingly take them, we even let people put needles in our bloodstreams and ask no questions as to what are the side affects of this action.We then ridicule people who want to know what they are putting into their bodies and their children. Fear and panic are the worse conditions to make a decision. This is the land of the free ad we should be free to dictate our own bodies our childres's bodies and on our terms. Its funny how concerned the government is with the spread of a virus and not the spread of second hand smoke which kills thousands every year, they even note that the product can cause cancer, but still sell it. Ive even seen doctors smoking on lunch breaks. I know I can trust them with my children's health. Lol!!

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  • December 2, 2009 by Daphne

    OK... so what if they dont cause autism...(by the way, even if they havent proved that the shots cause autism... they havn't proved that they DON'T either) but what about all the toxic chemicals that they put into shots?? I don't really want to inject my son with toxic chemicals.. antifreeze, formaldehyde, chick embryos, cells from aborted human fetus???

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  • December 23, 2009 by Amy Menor

    And what kind of research did you do on this?

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  • January 19, 2010 by Jackie

    For one i had my child vaccinated at birth for Hep B, and Also at her 2 month appointment for a slew of 6 shots, no i was never worried about autism and followed doctors blindly, now with that said my child perfectly healthy for the first 2 months of life came home THAT day after her shots and was having difficulty breathing, and gasping for air, a swollen hard red lumpy leg from the injection site, vomiting, and didnt sleep well through the night for about 2 weeks after waking up with a high pitch scream and staying up for hours on end...so with all that being said i started to do research, and upon finding out whats in the vaccines she will not be receiving another one...its not a matter or autism its a matter of.... Monkey kidney, aborted fetal tissue, cows blood, formaldehyde, aluminum, and the list goes on....i refuse to insert those toxins willingly into my child's bloodstream especially after the reaction she had, a healthy and well maintained immune system can fight off diseases...lots of people in America cant because of the life style the chose to live, and the garbage the throw down their throat and call food...if you take care of you body it will take care of you!!!!

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    • April 21, 2010 by Connie Phillips

      I agree 100%. I think that it is not enough to just not vaccinate. We have to build up our children's systems so they can fight off whatever comes their way. We can't feed them fast food and lunchables and expect them to be healthy. We don't vaccinate but we do give our children probiotics and fish oil daily, and we eat organic, pure, good food and exercise. My children are never sick and I feel confident that we are boosting their immunity naturally.

  • January 24, 2010 by Sue marston

    I started researching vaccines about 30 years ago after reading something that was not meant for me (or any other member of the public) to see - it was a quote from a medical journal about the smallpox vaccine - "THE VACCINATION, FURTHERMORE, CAUSES AN EXPLOSION OF LEUKEMIA." I wondered why I had not seen information like that before, but the bottom line is that one has to dig for the information if you want to get to the truth. Many doctors have written books against vaccinations, but they are not making the media news - that is because the pharmaceutical/petrochemical/agribusiness/"research"/"health" charities (etc.) conglomerate now owns the media. Vaccines contain NOTHING that is beneficial, and they never prevented disease, and have only extended and worsened epidemics. I'm not going to write a lengthy article here, but a telling thing is that our National Vaccine Injury Compensation Act (instituted by our government so that instead of the vaccine manufacturers paying their victims for damages done by vaccines, now WE THE TAXPAYERS pay them!) ADMITS that vaccinations cause SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome), Type 1 diabetes, various forms of neurological damage, and so much more. There is no such thing as "herd immunity." That was thought up to try to set the stage for forced vaccinations in the future. Ingredients include formaldehyde, acetone, aluminum, carbolic acid, pus, foreign RNA and DNA from incompatible animal sources, and a lot of other nasty stuff. Read, for starters, Vaccination, The Silent Genocide," by Dr. Guylaine Lanctot, and "Vaccinations and Immune Malfunction," by Dr. Harold Buttram.

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  • February 3, 2010 by Author Frank Martin DiMeglio

    Here is yet more information as to why the effects of the vaccines (or the reactions by the body thereto) would not necessarily be predictable or uniform. Visually, the universal experience of the body is one of visual transparency (i.e., invisibility). Accordingly, when our bodies are visually distinguishable (or visible), then each of our visible experiences of the body (and of everything else for that matter) must necessarily be different (or unique); and individuals are then visually distinguishable as well. Since all of our bodies are visually transparent (or invisible), each of our bodies (considered individually) must necessarily be different when visible. Since the experience of the body is both visible and invisible, the visible experience of the body is necessarily changing (or inconstant), unique, and finite. The disintegration of the visual experience when an object is close to the eyes is demonstrative of the relationship between visibility and invisibility. The visible appearance of the body (including that of experience in general) is relatively unique, finite, and limited. (This conclusion is also in keeping with the fact that thought and vision are necessarily different.) The thoughtful understanding of the visible is properly understood as variable and finite in relation to the totality of experience, including that of the body. Thoughts and emotions are differentiated feelings. Our thoughts, emotions, and feelings are largely (or often) indiscernible to others in keeping with the fact that the body is transparent (or invisible inside the eye).

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  • February 22, 2010 by Special Needs Teacher

    What makes you the expert?? Unless or until you have a child with autism, you are not an authority on the subject. When you have a personal experience ALL possible or impossible reasoning goes out the window. You will do anything and everything to protect your child.

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  • March 5, 2010 by Angel Steiner

    The thing that gets me is the fact that people who vaccinate their children are afraid that the unvaccinated children will get their children sick? Are you kidding me?! You had your children vaccinated -- they are not going to get sick, right? So what are you afraid of. Let those of us who choose NOT to vaccinate our children worry about the diseases they will get... your children are perfectly safe... or are they?

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    • April 1, 2010 by abbie hall

      Your missing the point. If you have a 7 year old son who hasn't been vaccinated and he gets the measles. He goes to an afterschool program where my 3 month old is who hasn't been vaccinates and she is at risk for getting ill. Case happened like that in San Diego, unvaccinated child got sick and passed it to an infant who died. There is now blood on the hands of those parents.

  • April 18, 2010 by Bob C

    You have just stated an opinion with no facts to back it up while insulting the people who have actually researched the subject. You justify this nonsense by calling yourself "the moral guy." What rubbish!!

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  • April 20, 2010 by ANNI

    There is also no link between the start of vaccinations and the decrease in these infections. Most diseases such as polio had almost completely disappeared before the vaccinations were even distributed. You may not be able to find a study relating vaccinations to autism, but who pays for the studies? The pharm. companies, and who sells the vaccinations? The same people that would rather not pay for a study to decrease their business.

    I would like to make a point: IT IS MY RESPONSIBILITY TO KEEP MY DAUGHTER SAFE FROM EVERYTHING INCLUDING VACCINATIONS THAT MAY BE HARMFUL TO HER. IF VACCINES WORK SO WELL THEN MY UNVACCINATED DAUGHTER WILL NOT GET YOUR VACCINATED CHILD SICK RIGHT? SO IT IS MY CHOICE NOT YOURS.

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  • April 22, 2010 by L.S.R.C.

    "Moral Guy", How sad you are. I truly feel sorrow for you. If I am "putting my child" at 'risk' by not vaccinating him/her, then what a wonderful feeling of "risk." It is a feeling of freedom and health. Please, educate yourself ~ for the benefit of you and your children and society.

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  • June 22, 2010 by yeah right

    Yeah right, Im not going to let my child be a lab rat, to save your life... thats ridiculous. I have to protect my child , not the public.

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  • August 29, 2010 by Maurine Meleck

    we have no moral obligation to protect anyone but ourselves and our own children.

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• July 1, 2008 by Courtney

  I used to be a strong proponent on picking and choosing my future children's vaccinations. With all the discussion on 1 in 150 children having autism, I have to admit that I'm a little freaked out. About a month ago, my feelings changed on this subject. "Time" Magazine had an article on this issue that delved into the hard evidence. The truth is there is no scientific evidence suggesting that shots cause autism. However, there is evidence that without immunizations children could die of very horrible diseases. People who have autism do not die because of it, but 1 in 10 people with Diphtheria will. Looking at those odds and also knowing that the "measles" of yesteryear have had decades to mutate into "Measles 2.0", I'm not taking any chances.

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  • July 13, 2008 by Dawncrim

    There is no scientific evidence to suggest that vaccines cause Autism because none have legitimately been done. Zilch, Zero, Nada. generationrescue.org

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    • July 17, 2008 by Concerned Mother

      There is no evidence that vaccines have a way of causing autism in anyone at any time. Please Google "omnibus autism" to read the transcripts of the big Federal autism and vaccines trial that is now nearly complete. The parents who are in litigation and spreading falsehoods about vaccines had their chance to present the evidence. There was no evidence presented that vaccines cause autism. The lawyers for the parents presented evidence of flim-flam doctors and fraudulent "experts" testifying to things that they could not begin to support scientifically. It's a sham(e).

  • July 7, 2009 by jeanbean

    Be very careful before believing that publications such as TIME magazine are truly "delving into hard evidence". Take a look at their ads - MANY are for prescription drugs. This is big business and they would never jeopardize their relationship with their advertisers. The pharmaceutical companies are massive in their influence and have the funds to successfully buy off TV, magazines and politicians. Please don't be so naive as to believe that there is a mainstream publication that will give you all the facts. Follow the money trail....I know it's so depressing to think that people value money over our health, but it is so.

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  • September 12, 2009 by Sally Wilson

    I believe that vaccinations, in general are valuable. If the native american populations in North and South America had had access to such vaccinations then millions would not have been wiped out by measles and other diseases that seem trivial to us today. However, I believe that you must educate yourself and look closely at just which vaccinations you should use with your children, as corporate pharma has become incredibly influential on the medical community and our society as a whole. I believe many of the newer vaccinations are not safe. Some are marketed like crazy to recoup the cost of all the research that was used to develop them, whether they are needed or not, Gardasil falls into this category. From everything I have read the most dangerous problem with today's vaccinations seems to be the fillers and preservatives, and sometimes the cultures used to grow the vaccines. AVOID MERCURY at all costs. It is not healthy for neurological development. Thimerosol is a preservative commonly used in vaccines that contains mercury- ask your health care professionals where your vaccines come from and what they are made of if they can't tell you don't use them until you know.

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  • September 15, 2009 by Henrik

    Since when do we take Times magazine articles as scientific facts? This is the most naive thing I have ever heard. Are we to trust our children's life in hands of Evil media corporations?

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  • July 28, 2010 by WILL

    So you actually believe the media? The drug companies have very deep pockets honey! The media only tells us what they want us to hear. Just because you heard it on TV doesn't mean it is true.

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• July 2, 2008 by Joyce B.

  I have a huge problem with the fact that doctors are trained to give multiple immunizations to our children as infants. Because of this, my oldest child had a terrible reaction and I didn't know which injection was the culprit. Afterwards, I chose a family doctor who would work with me by giving only 1 or 2 injections at a time and schedule a follow-up for the next one so we wouldn't have this problem again. We parents have a responsibility to protect our kids.

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  • September 16, 2009 by mgallagher

    I have a child with multiple severe food allergies and giving too many shots at one time did not work well for her because she would get hives. I believe that it is VERY important for adults and children to keep current on immunizations, but more than two at a time may be difficult for children with an immature immune system to handle. I feel violated that so many parents are allowed to opt out of vaccinations when that will put my children at risk. By the time your kids are old enough to go to public school they should have all of their vaccinations or be KEPT OUT. If you do not want to be vaccinated for religious reasons, then you should not be going to a public school.

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    • June 24, 2010 by yeah right

      if your children are vaccinated and they work what are you worried about???

  • December 5, 2009 by Gladys Maria O'Dell

    Amen!

    Reply

• July 2, 2008 by d.s.

  I would say it's up to individual parent but they should think of others and your children. If you don't get them vaccinated, is that putting them in danger? Is it putting other kids in danger? You call the shots-just think about the ones you love.

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  • August 26, 2009 by Valencia Howard

    They are put at risk when they are born unnatural. They are at risk when you send them to daycare, and take them to the grocery store, and send them to highly populated areas such as school. Why put them in those situations on the first place? Why not prepare better before having children to stay home with them, and breastfeed, and school them in an out of school setting or have some one homeschool them, and keep them out of malls, and other places where germs and disease spread to most. All that exposure because people prefer to make choices that would increase a child's risk of coming into contact with those organisms. Or, they all them to be exposed because their family of origin is not functional enough to give them all the social interactions the child needs. We live to close to each other also. Living to close, even if all the other suggestions are done, increases the risk. We eat poorly, and then use medication and vaccinations as a defense for our bodies, when if we did everything we could to improve and protect our bodies naturally, then disease would more then likely not survive. There is not proof that vaccinations caused disease spread to decrease. When vaccinations were introduce disease was already decreasing. By the time they were widely given, improvement in cleanliness, and health was also in affect. Vaccinations is the cause for the decrease, but only associated witht he decline. They do of course increase the defense response in the body, but it keeps that system that is stimulated always working. Which leads to allergies, and many other problems. What a shame!

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    • August 26, 2009 by Valencia

      I intended to say that we willingly expose our children to so many settings in which disease and germs are easily spread. We do this because we prefer not to learn ways to make better choices for protecting our children before they are conceived or born and after. Keeping them around limited people and environments, and in good health (through breastfeeding, healthy lifestyles, and homeschooling) should decrease the chances of disease entering the body and causing illness. We live unrealistically, and our children suffer. All the socializing they need can be met in the family. Even then, universal precautions are necessary for all- wherever people exist! Vaccinations are only associated with the decline in diseases, not the cause for the decline. No research shows a causal relationship. Research shows an association. To say vaxing is only associated with the decline is the same as saying because two situations occured around the same time, they are associated with one another Many believe because there is an association, then one must have caused the other. Not necessarily so! Vaxing may have helped to some degree, but now we have so many other diseases that are occuring with the constant vaxing of our nations. So, should we say that the vaccinations caused the surfacing of all these relatively new diseases? Well, I guess some will say so. I however believe that it's no coincidence. My son developed issues as a infant, that I know now were not normal, and the doc's took no special notice, and yes the issues happened around times of vaccinating. I no longer do I vaccinate, and I'm paying the penalty for it. My children were taken from me because I chose to exercised my constitutional right to not vaccinate any longer. On the other hand, my ex-husband used that to win them. What a shame, God be the judge!

  • February 17, 2010 by antiliberalism

    If the good doctor has faithin vaccinations, and has fully vaccinated his children, how are my unvaccinated children a threat to his? If anything, his are a threat to mine - particularly at grade school level, where kids have the tendency to put their fingers in their mouths and touch things. As a side note, my unvaccinated children are sick far less than what I see with the vaccinated kids in my extended family and friends. I see a lot of repeat illnesses among the fully vaccinated. I'd love to see a long term study of unvaccinated kids vs. fully vaccinated kids, with regards to all manner of illness, and general health overall (including developmental).

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• July 2, 2008 by Jim Blischke

  We all live together on a planet that shrinks with every new innovation in transportation. We do have a responsibility to our neighbors, the children who attend school with our kids -- and the person sitting next to us on an airplane. I read the "Time" article Courtney mentioned. There may be risk in a vaccination, as there is in crossing the street. There is also a payoff: good health for our immunized children and our neighbors' children -- and that guy on the plane.

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  • July 8, 2008 by claire Callahan Goodman

    I am among those who believe that there is no evidence of a link between vaccination and autism. Until there is a proven link, you could just as easily say that learning to walk causes autism. Autism is on the rise but vaccination does not appear to be the culprit. I believe that the culprit will be found sooner or later, but it is not vaccination. That said there is still a risk associated with vaccination: risk of short-term bad reaction (resolving), risk of long term bad reaction (causing harm) and risk of death. These risks must be weighed by every parent when those little syringes appear, doctors' reassurance aside. Every one of us who has done the right thing (vaccination) has had to hold our breath while our beautiful offspring screams from the surprise of the shot - while we weigh the various consequences in our heads. HOWEVER, the consequences of not vaccinating our children are black and white: children died of diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough. Children died and were maimed by polio. These diseases are not curable by antibiotics, and were our population not vaccinated the death rate from these diseases would rise dramatically. A Waldorf school in my neighborhood recently had to be closed due to whooping cough outbreak. This is the unplanned but predictable result of following the anti-vaccination dogma of Rudolf Steiner, founder of the Waldorf schools. Most of the affected children were in kindergarten. I am glad my child has been vaccinated.

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    • December 8, 2009 by Angie

      My son was a healthy baby until the 15-18 months immunizations were due; after he got his immunizations as schedule he never said "yes," "no", or "mom" like he used to before his vaccines. Then soon after many doctor's visits worried aboiut why my son couldn't say a word; and frequent headaches, he was diagnosed with Autism;

    • February 4, 2010 by Momofmany

      He was not only normal prior immunization but he was advanced. He tested out between 21 and 24 months at his 15 month exam. That same day he seized with his vaccine, stopped walking and talking. He was never the same. Our story isn't rare, it's ignored! What we get from our sons doctors was it was worth it for "herd" immunity. I don't think so. Having 2 totally unimmunized children, they are so healthy their pediatricians are amazed they just don't see children that healthy. They have had whooping cough, it was brought home by one of our fully immunized children. I kept them home, away from anyone else as I always do when our children are ill. They had no complications. Part of the problem I see is we take our ill children out of the house when if we had the same virus, we'd be in bed. We rely far to much on immunizations rather than common sense. We expose our newborns to many people when they have very little immune system and then on top of it we don't tend to breast feed them. RSV is a cold to adults but can be lethal to infants and it is every year. The US has a terrible infant mortality rate. This year it looks like we are going to rank 45th which means some 3rd world countries are now doing better than we are. It isn't the illnesses we immunize against causing this.

    • April 18, 2010 by Bob C

      My unvaccinated daughter also got whooping cough, from a boy who had been vaccinated. She had a nurtitional IV and her now mature immune system knocked it out in one day thank you very much.

  • October 7, 2009 by LaTonya Smith

    Analysis from the British Medical Journal article titled, Influenza Vaccination: Policy Versus Evidence, presents evidence from a systematic review based on a meta-analysis of all the research that shows inactivated vaccines have little or no effect on preventing or minimizing the flu

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  • October 8, 2009 by momof3

    Don't believe everything you read - I for one am not about to get my health information from Time magazine and make decisions based on one article that says they're safe. Ask for the list of ingredients in any given vaccination, do some research on it, then make your decision. Just because you get vaccinated doesn't mean you won't get what you think you're protecting yourself against - chicken pox, flu etc. you can still get them even if you vaccinate against them.

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  • April 20, 2010 by dustiep2006

    We do have an obligation to other people in general, and I believe that, but I feel that as a parent, my greatest obligation is to my children. I already have one child with an autistic spectrum disorder and until you deal with that and watch him deal with that on a daily basis, don't presume to tell me what my obligations are. My obligation is to do anything in my power to protect my youngest child and do the best I can for the oldest.

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• July 8, 2008 by Russell Delaney

  Immunizations were the single greatest medical breakthrough of the 20th century from a public health standpoint. Humans are living longer than the have since Bible times - we must be doing something right. When faced with an autistic child, I understand parents want answers, someone or something to blame. Instead they need to focus their energies on how to help their child with his or her difficulties. Autism is horrible, but the etiology is clearly not with immunizations and we all need to be looking elsewhere. One recent study showed that mothers of autistic children were more likely to have used pet shampoos before and during pregnancy - does this mean pet shampoo causes autism???? Maybe??? Who knows???? The link was stronger than that of immunizations. Choosing NOT to immunize your child puts not only your child at risk, but mine also. We cannot afford to stop our immunization program. As with anything there may be room for refinement and improvement. Certainly, the medical community should and will continue to research the efficacy and safety of immunizations. We have to make our decisions based on today's available information. Today's generation of young parents have no idea what they are declining. They don't know of the devastation that polio created - just talk to some of the grandmothers. They haven't even heard of Hib meningitis because it rarely occurs anymore. Parents in third world nations would give their own lives to have the luxury of immunizations for their children, yet a growing number of American parents decline them when they are free. We are spoiled. Yes, I am a physician - a pediatrician. I have spent much time reviewing the science surrounding immunizations. Furthermore, I am NOT a part of any governmental conspiracy, and I make very little profit on vaccines. In fact, when the pneumococcal vaccine first became available, my practice actually LOST money each and every time we gave it for the first year. My partners and I felt so strongly about not seeing another child die from pnemococcal meningitis, we gave it anyway. I care for kids - mine and those of the families to place their confidence and trust in me. Please, do the right thing, immunize your children.

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  • July 12, 2008 by Dawncrim

    I don't believe a word you doctors tell me anymore. I am disgusted with all of you "vaccine pushers". So, what you are saying is that 1,200 micrograms of aluminum is safe for a 2 month old with all of their shots? Mercury is safe for infants under 6 mo. old? (there is still mercury in the mercury free shots by the way - I guess you didn't know). Mercury can only be excreted through bile and infants do not produce this until 6 mo. old. Sodium borate is o.k. in vaccines? I guess you didn't know that the FDA approved it in Gardasil, but will not approve it in any amount in our food supply (it is a known ant killer and decreases fertility). Formaldehyde is currently being classified as a carcinogen by the EPA because it is toxic. Yet, it is o.k. to inject it into the bloodstream of an infant? My baby received at least 300 micrograms of that with his DTaP. Did you know that every vaccine states the following warning? The drug manufacturer doesn't know if they cause cancer, alter our DNA, or impair our fertility....YET, WE ARE TOLD THEY ARE QUITE SAFE?? According to the CDC - disease was pretty much eradicated BEFORE each vaccine came out. Vaccines actually caused the number of disease cases to skyrocket. I guess you didn't know this either. Yes, many outbreaks throughout history have been among the vaccinated populations. I could go on and on, but the fact that you doctors will give the same .5 ml dose to a 7 lb baby as well as a 300 lb adult and not see anything wrong with it just makes me sick.

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    • July 12, 2008 by Russell Delaney

      You are so sadly misinformed and do not have a complete understanding. Believe me, I listen to parents such as yourself everyday. All I can say is that I have sat by and watched as children have died from Hib and Pneumococcal meningitis, and I NEVER want to see it again. I give your child nothing that I have not given my own, and I have 3 beautiful, healthy, bright kids. I would only ask that you continue to do your research. By the way, infants do produce bile. If they did not, their poops wouldn't be yellow/green/brown in color - their poops would be grey/tan in color. Of course there are chemicals in vaccines to insure their sterility. There are trace amounts of aluminum in immunizations, which aids in the body's inflammatory response and thus to the function of the immunization. All vaccines are now free of mercury with the exception of the influenza vaccine, and there is a mercury free version of this for children under the age of 3. We are blessed to live in a free country, thank God. I don't "push" vaccines on anyone. I recommend them to my patients, just as I have provided them to my own children. Personally, I have mixed feelings on requiring immunizations, but I do feel that they should be required if your kids are going to be in an environment with my kids -i.e, school. If you wish to home school, and live life "your way", then have at it. I will still treat your child if they ever have to face a serious illness. I appreciate your comments.

    • March 18, 2009 by christina hudnall

      I think you are a paranoid person and your child(ren) will suffer because of it. Are you a doctor? Do you know everything in this world? I too have researched vaccines and the affects that they may have on the body and yes there are some risk's that something could go terribly wrong...breathing the air outside could kill you too but we still need to do that right? You should really know what you’re talking about before you post anymore comments...because really you sound ridiculous!!

    • July 28, 2010 by WILL

      Conspiracy? Are you trying to say that politicians and Gov. officials, and drug manufactures are profiting from us, forcing us to spend millions of $ on drugs & hospital bills? Kind of like job security? No- who would do such a thing? But wait- aren't those politicians and Gov. officials, and drug manufactures looking out for the public's best interest? What does billions, & billions of $ money have to do with it? Come on, you really don't expect the herd to believe this, do you? Now I'm just going to go back to bed & pull the covers over my head- maybe this nightmare will just go away! When I wake up in the morning everything will be just fine! Ps. don't forget to wear your rose colored glasses!

  • July 13, 2008 by Grace

    I totally agree with vaccinating our children! I do understand that there is fear for some about getting their child vaccinated because of the "Risk of Autism", but I don't understand why someone would choose to not get their children vaccinated against something that is actually LIFE THREATENING! The FACT is that there were/are diseases that KILL. While there may be Autism, the FACT is that you don't die from it. I think that the risk of not vaccinating your child far outweighs the risk of vaccinating them. Our country has worked so hard to make it a safer place to raise our family.. Although I don't agree with the way that some things are done in our country, I will say for sure that I am glad WE ACTUALLY have the option to vaccinate. My 4 yr. old received a DVD for Christmas this past year and it was a DVD of old Christmas stories and on this DVD was a telethon from like 1940's and you know what this telethon was for? It was for them to be able to come up with a cure to prevent TB..The fact that we accomplished something so great and were able to save MILLIONS of lives that is something to me. That just 20-30 years ago that was something that we actually had to worry about and now because we HAVE vaccinations it's almost a thing of the past. That is amazing! It really makes you think when you see it from their perspective. You don't worry today about is my child going to die from some life threatening illness that I can't prevent. I know that I'm thankful everyday that they did find a way to make that a thing of the past. I would be awful sore at myself if my child died from something that I could have prevented. Autism happens and its a part of life that some have to regrettably deal with, just like diabetes, or pradder-willi, or cystic fibrosis, or any other disease that's unknown. But they researched TB and all the other infectious diseases and came up with a way for us to protect the ones we love and that's some thing we can do. The other diseases aren't contagious, yet still devastating. They will hopefully one day make them a thing of the past. I know that being a mother my self it's people who don't vaccinate their children who make me afraid to take my newborn to the store to get the things that I NEED and can't get because of fear for my child getting something that could kill them..It's not only you & your children who are affected by your choices it's our children and the elderly or the ones with a weak immune system that also suffer for your poor choices! IN the End its your choice,I just hope that you make the one that keeps all of our best interest at heart!

    Reply

    • July 13, 2008 by Dawncrim

      Like I said earlier, people have yet to read the package inserts of the live-virus vaccines. If so, you may know that your child IS A RISK to others for up to 6 weeks. It is not the unvaccinated posing a threat at all. As far as how deadly these diseases really are - according to the CDC and medical textbooks from the 1950's, they were not. Thanks to vaccines, these diseases are MORE deadly. Vaccines are responsible for creating deadlier strains and other mutated viruses. So, if your immune system is already weak from vaccinating, you are a huge risk of dying from these diseases (which is why they add more and more to the list I believe). If you are unvaccinated, you have a much greater chance of beating them. Please start educating yourself for the sake of your family. I've literally done months of research before coming to my conclusion. I didn't just read an anti-vaccine website and call it a day. I've read books, vaccine literature, studied the ingredients, researched VAERS, etc.

    • April 26, 2010 by EM Schell

      My second daughter, Elizabeth, received her shots before kindergarten at age five. We sat anxiously in the waiting room and waited to make certain that she had no reactions to the shots. She didn't...then.

      A few hours later she spiked a low grade fever. The fever lasted four two days. The emergency room gave her tylenol, and sent her home. Nothing wrong...Then the fever broke.

      For the next three weeks she was lethargic. Doctor after doctor told me there was nothing wrong. I was told over and over that I was crazy. Then she "snapped out of it." Sort of.

      She immediately stopped being able to control her bowels. My well behaved toilet trained lovable daughter had no emotional or social control whatsoever. She was back in diapers (after being trained for 2 years). She had fits that made me have to learn the "hug hold" to keep her from hurting herself or someone else.

      Today My daughter is 9. Her estimated social age is 5. She has been diagnosed, after some debate, as sensory deprivation disorder or SDD; a form of autism. This means that she has very little social capacity. She has to learn control over her physical body and physically think through each step of basic tasks. She still has fits. It took us two years to re-toilet train her and she still has accidents. She does not understand personal hygiene and has to be constantly reminded. I say "personal space" to her a hundred thousand times a day. She is progressing slowly but most of the people who work with her fear that it is unlikely that her social age will get much beyond age 10.

      Accompanying this we began to see evidence of petite mal seizures about a month after those five year shots. She was officially diagnosed with epilepsy in 2008, but the first symptoms began after the shots.

      My youngest daughter has zero shots and after what happened with Elizabeth, the next one down stopped recieving shot immediately.

      You may keep your shots. One autistic child is enough thank you!

    • April 26, 2010 by EM Schell

      PS. Epilepsy is life threatening. There is evidence that suggests that immunizations cause that as well. I could find my daughter dead from sudden epileptic death at any time.

    • May 23, 2010 by rick

      you sound like your very misinformed about alot of what you say. In FACT as you like to put it. In 1976 we had swine flu in the u.s.a. thats right we already had many cases of the fake swine flu. But when they , they meaning the our Great Gov. that is always looking out for our safety.. ??? came out with a very soon after the spread of this flu. vaccine. like this time way too quickly this was ready. any way when they started to vaccinate the population people started dying and the government had to actually stop the vaccination process because more people were dying of the vaccines then from the so called swine flu itself ! it was so bad that the government had many lawsuits brought against it. it is mostly because of that ,that they can no longer just like BIG PHARMA cant be held liable anymore. humm!!! think about why is that! Humm i say again. please dont be affended . but stop drinking the cool aid and start doing more research .. on your own. not on national geo. or readers digest or cnn. or the likes.

  • November 20, 2009 by tonya Benner

    I understand where you are coming from. Vaccines have saved many lives. I worry about where you are getting your research information. Have you only looked into what is reviewed and accepted by the AAP? Have you looked into who was researching and writing the thesis and where they are funded? In a perfect world, it shouldn't matter, but it does. Vaccines make a lot of money and to attack them is a big deal. I, personnally, am not all black and white. I think there is a place in our world for vaccines. But the current government approved schedule is overwhelming. Its too much. I would agree with a schedule that wasn't so aggressive and took into account how the child is doing between each one. Think about it this way. Can you think of one drug that absolutely nobody is allergic to? Honestly, people can be allergic to anything. So why do we assume that all vaccines are for all kids 100% of the time? You could say that an allergic reaction isn't autism but do we know that, yet? There is evidence that the immune system plays a role in autism. We don't have all the answers, its true but that doesnt mean that we should bury our heads in the sand and ignore the possibility. It exists and as a parent and daughter of people with autism, It isn't a chance I am willing to take with my family. Respecfully, Aiden's mom

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  • November 29, 2009 by William Pursell

    I find it very frustrating when people conflate the terms "immunize" and "vaccinate". Vaccinations rarely, if ever, impart immunity. Receiving a vaccination may reduce your ability to develop an immunity which would be conveyed by contracting the disease naturally. Please use correct terminology.

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  • February 15, 2010 by Brenda

    I believe the childs immune system should be checked first and that the parents have the right to chose what vaccines they want there child to get. If a parent thinks 4,5 or 6 vaccines at once is to much that is there right and the doctors should listen to them just because a dr says it's ok it doesn't make it so.

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• July 12, 2008 by Dawncrim

  Anyone that knows anything about vaccines knows that there is no such thing as herd immunity. If there was, then doctors and nurses would be required to receive boosters in their profession (boosters are only good for usually 10 yrs and many healthcare workers haven't had any since grade school). Furthermore, I don't think that Kathy ever read the vaccine package insert for any live-virus vaccine either. It states that the person vaccinated may be contagious to people with compromised immune systems for up to 6 weeks. As far as the toxic chemicals that go into vaccines are concerned - IF YOU WANT TO SHOOT YOUR PRECIOUS CHILDREN UP with known neurotoxins without a 100% guarantee that it will protect you from any disease - be my guest. I think I'll take the road less traveled. Unfortunately, I listened to my doctor last year and my baby and I were both injured by vaccines. I will never vaccinate my loved ones again because I've done my homework since then. Vaccines are a very profitable joke and the risks outweigh the benefits for every person and every vaccine. Period.

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  • July 12, 2008 by Russell Delaney

    Actually, my employer does require that myself and my staff are current on our vaccines. They even check my titers to see if I'm immune. There most certainly is such a thing as herd immunity, there is scientific proof of it. If you choose not to protect your loved ones, that is your business. Again, I am a part of no lies or conspiracy. I've devoted my life to the health and well being of children. I can only make decisions for my own three, however. I can only provide my educated professional advice for my patients. It saddens me to hear the hysterical rants of persons such as yourself.

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    • July 12, 2008 by Dawncrim

      I listened to doctors like you and paid the price dearly. My hearing was damaged last year thanks to one Rubella vaccine. I was extremely angry to learn that there were only 14 cases of Congenital Rubella one year before the vaccine came on the market in 1969. There were even less in previous years. So, was my hearing loss worth it? Not according to the CDC's reported statistics. At the same time, my premature infant suffered from high-pitched screaming, congestions, convulsions, developmental delays, and regression in milestones with his Hib, IPV, and DTaP vaccines. The extent of his injuries may not be evident until the school years because it may show up in the form of learning disabilities. Developmental delays are usually an indicator of future problems. While my doctor said that she sees premature babies lose acquired skills all of the time, Easter Seals has informed me that it is not normal for any child to lose acquired skills. I had him evaluated before any vaccines were administered and he was performing tasks equivalent to that of a 6 mo. old - like holding his bottle on numerous occasions when his corrected age was only 2 weeks old. After his vaccines, he didn't hold his bottle for over a year. He also didn't babble any words (no sounds at all) until 10 1/2 mo. old. I know that the vaccines are to blame for his injuries. After going through this nightmare, I looked through my 14 yr old's baby book and discovered that he too had the same type of strange congestion after his vaccines. It was probably due to the large amount of formaldehyde that both of my babies were exposed to. I recently learned that my 14 yr old's lazy eye was due to his first dose of Hep B at 6 mo. old 9that was the only new vaccine given to him). This vaccine can cause eye nerve damage according to the drug manufacturer. All this time I blamed it on his dad's genes, but I can now see that his eyes were fine before his 6 mo. vaccines in the hundreds of pictures that I have. He also suffers from ADHD, a math disability, and a Visual Processing Disorder. If I could go back in time, I never would have vaccinated myself or children. The risks are just not worth it. I am very angry that I was lied to by the AAP, CDC, NIH, FDA, and uneducated doctors such as yourself. Every vaccine contains ingredients that damage the brain - just how much the person will be affected depends on many things....diet, genes, other environmental factors, etc. You are not even concerned about these ingredients? I just don't understand? Do you feel comfortable with the fact that 1 in 67 children now have Autism according to the U.S. Dept of Education in 2007. This figure represents the number of children in elementary school! A local 4th grade teacher has informed me that 25% of her students have Autism! This is not due to better diagnosing either. California has discredited that theory. www.generationrescue.org

    • July 12, 2008 by Dawncrim

      I have never heard of any practice required staff to be "up on their shots". I have 3 friends who are nurses and 2 relatives who are also. Where is your scientific proof that herd immunity exists? I would love to see it. I have to argue with you there because if there was such a thing, then why on earth would people now need repeat boosters? That means that studies have proven that vaccines wear off and that people at some point were no longer immune. I haven't heard of masses of people falling off the face of the earth due to these so-called deadly diseases. Have you?

  • April 6, 2009 by Awsome man

    So, if vaccines are the problem, why aren’t all children getting it? It should have the SAME affect on all of them, just like aspirin or Motrin does.

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  • April 30, 2009 by Cheryl

    If you decide not to vaccinate your children, that is your right. But I feel if that is the case, it should be mandated that you home school your children, and don't take your unimmunized children out in the real world. Keep them in a bubble and far from neurotoxins, but most importantly, keep them away from my family because I chose, and choose to be responsible towards everyone, not selfish out of my own fear-based irrationality.

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  • May 4, 2009 by crystal loxley

    Amen I agree 100% there are so many reasons not to vaccinate and like I have said before, if people who vaccinate their children want to say that me not vaccinating mine is putting theirs at risk well then they must not have much faith in their precious vaccinations to protect their children huh? I think people vaccinating their children may be putting mine at more risk, but lets try making that argument.

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  • June 6, 2009 by amy

    I am researching the vacines and the benifits for giving them to my daughter both of my other kids had the vaccines and they had ADD and ADHD. This is astounding what they a are putting in the shots the level of mercury that is in them, I hope that someone couild help me understand why and what shots should be given my kids.

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  • July 30, 2009 by Bob

    Just do your homework; break away from the herd. Vaccination continues to this day because of its 'assumed' benefits, but (1) because it yields millions of dollars profit to the drug industry; (2) because it is one of the foundation stones of medical science upon which they have undeservedly built their power and prestige, and for that reason, must remain in place; and, (3) because the majority of the public, brainwashed by medical propaganda, and unwilling to think for themselves, blindly accept it.

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  • August 7, 2009 by Marcy

    I am in total agreement with you! I don't want my kids shot up with anything.

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  • August 13, 2009 by ERICA

    My lil one has her 15 month vaccination coming up this week . The MMR vacine, I asked my Doc if she can give them to her individually different times. She said no because they dont offer them like that in that office. I am so confused I had all 3 of my other kids vaccinated and there fine but now I'm more aware of whats going on. There is alot going on more autism etc..... I'm so confused, my sister says to avoid all vaccines, there TOXIC!!! By vaccinating were actually doing more harm than good!!!!

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  • February 9, 2010 by Lucha

    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.

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• July 12, 2008 by Dawncrim

  The CDC, AAP, NIH, WHO, FDA - have been lying to society. For "real" facts and studies involving vaccines, purchase the Vaccine Safety Manual by Neil Z. Miller. It was the best $22.00 I ever spent. You will find over 1,000 credible sources to further investigate at the library.

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  • May 8, 2009 by ROB

    Autism is only one harsh side effect that may or may not be linked to MMR Vaccine. Watch your healthy child after having this multi-shot have seizures for the rest of his life not be able to have a normal life like others because of an unexplained seizure disorder. No meds completely control this, therefore driving in the future is out of the question. Tell your child that. Watch your heart break while telling him, "I had to get you the shot". Going into multi serial seizures for hours? I honestly believe it is the MMR shot and I think we as parents have the right to get the shots in a one at a time form instead of the multi shot. Too many other side effects linked. Read, Read Read! Until you've been there you can not judge so harshly. I also believe the next big war will be with chemicals and virus. Parents are not doing this lightly. They are agonizing over this decision., because your intention is to protect your child, not harm them.

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  • October 17, 2009 by kelli granger

    Good job Dawn. Why inject our loved ones with the virus that is killing others.

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  • December 9, 2009 by steve

    Which is more likely: A) that the CDC, AAP, NIH, WHO, and FDA have been lying (for why, we don't know) about vaccines for 50+ years, or B) that Neil Miller is a contrarian crank and fakir looking to make money by selling his $22 book to gullibles like Dawncrim Hmmmm....? Have we seen anyone in the United States crippled by Polio recently...? No. That must be because the Polio vaccine is a hoax that doesn't work, right...?

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    • April 18, 2010 by Bob C

      Actually there are people being crippled by polio, by coming in contact with children who just got the polio vaccine.

    • June 2, 2010 by nicole p.

      i believe there are alot of uneducated people out there, and all of these sound like very biased oppinions. i don't get why you WOULDN'T vaccinate your child when they are little, for the sheer fact that when you put them in school, YOU HAVE TO ANYWAY! at least when they are little its spaced out, instead of taking them to the doctors and having them all at once.

      if your not going to vaccinate your children, why bring them to the doctors at all? obviously you are smarter and more educated then the doctors. when your child breaks their arm, YOU put it in a cast, when your child might have cancer or whatever else, YOU TREAT THEM! these doctors go to school for YEARS for a reason! i think they know what their doing.

      and the lady with the child thats autistic and the other one that has delayed speech, my sister bought that book and was so gullible and DIDN'T vaccinate her kids, AND GUESS WHAT!?! her youngest has delayed speech! hmmm. weird.... . . . .maybe its because someone else in the family has a learning disorder? my daughter has delayed speech, but so did her dad, so did her 2 uncles, so did her 2 great uncles (whom were not vaccinated). i think you guys read a book, so now your paranoid. OH MY GOD! my teenager has pimples! must be because i vaccinated him! settle down. the FDA know what they are doing. once again, they went to school for alot of years to get where they are.

  • February 24, 2010 by Tatum S.

    There is nothing wrong with requesting to have immunizations given separately instead of in combination. That is your right as a parent. There is a chance of a child being allergic to the preservatives in an immunization, and giving them individually can lower this risk, and also help determine the cause of a potential reaction. Again... the risk is very low, and does not outweigh the potential threat of diseases that one can experience when unimmunized. However... Dawn- I'm not sure your first paragraph makes sense, except the part about there being no "herd immunity". If those of you choosing to not immunize your children end up with children having whooping cough, polio, and all the other devastating diseases of years past, you'll only have yourselves to blame, and your guilt will be great. The risks with immunizations are small compared to the horrific possibilities with the diseases they are meant to eradicate. Look at the history and study the research. I don't appreciate having my loved ones with poor immune systems at risk due to ignorance, much as I don't appreciate people smoking near me or my loved ones, and putting them at risk. Luckily, legislation passed and soon Michigan will have smoke free restaurants, etc. Yea!

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    • August 17, 2010 by Dr. Dan

      Nicole P., It is easy to ridicule someone's opinion that is different than your own. One thing to consider though, many of these people have done their own research, read books and have attempted to further educate themselves about this topic. They are not simply taking for granted advice or information being given to them by an institution. An institution I might add that makes billions of dollars on the sales of vaccines and other pharmaceuticals. Honestly, who is more naive? the person having done research into a particular topic or one who has FAITH in those with more education. By the way do you how much education the general practitioner gets in med school for pharmacology??

  • April 2, 2010 by JACK WAGNER

    BABY AT 18MOUNTH WAS VACCINATED DEVELOPED VIRAL MENINGITIS FROM A LIVE VACCINE THAT STAYS WITH THESE BABIES TO UP TO 60DAYS.NEURO/AND LOW WBC SEVERE. PARENTS RESEACH WHAT YOU ARE PUTTING IN YOUR CHILDREN.

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• July 12, 2008 by Dawncrim

  Thanks to vaccines, children today are neurologically damaged and chronically ill (which leads to numerous life-long medications). Vaccines are the sole reason why insurance rates are so high and many cannot afford coverage.

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• July 12, 2008 by Dawncrim

  One thing I honestly cannot figure out is why doctors tell you not to give your babies eggs until at least 1 yr of age or peanut butter until 2 yrs of age. Milk is also not recommended either until a certain age. Well, at the same time, these doctors are injecting your newborn with eggs, lactose, and peanut oil! These ingredients are all found in vaccines!! Does this make any sense? My baby was on formula at 4 weeks old due to breastfeeding problems. Well, after his first round of vaccines at 2 mo. old - all of a sudden he could no longer handle lactose. Coincidence? No, the vaccines are to blame. Just like vaccines are to blame for many other food allergies. This has been proven in studies involving lab animals.

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  • July 28, 2010 by WILL

    How can I communicate with you Dawncrim?

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• July 12, 2008 by Ann

  Vaccines are so dangerous - and it goes beyond autism. First: do we need them? NO! If all those doctors were trained by someone other than big pharma they would see the work done by others. Look at the progression of a disease - it has a natural pattern. The virus mutates over time and reduces in incidence. BEFORE the vaccine is introduced. But closely enough so doctors are taught correlation is causation. I've seen the historical charts and for example, polio will be going down in Europe before a vaccine is available. But we introduce it and polio goes down here - it would have done so anyway. (not to mention the reasons for polio - but that's another story). The fact doctors push vaccines and the herd theory is because they have not been trained in any other manner. Vaccines are the mainstay of pediatrician income - as is well baby visits. Useless. And soon with universal health care we will have more mandatory everything as vaccines are sold in bulk and your child's med history will be on computers and you will be held responsible for vaccinations or jailed for "being bad for society." We are very close to that. It was my son's doctor who saw his bad reaction and told me, "Never vaccinate this child again." I didn't. I researched and read what doctors fail to read and there are many complications beyond autism. Moms - don't stop fighting the ignorance and arrogance of the medical profession (daughter of a professor from Penn Med.and author of 30 med journal articles. I know them well)

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  • April 3, 2009 by Bibana

    Thank you! Finally some common sense.

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