Last night our local news station did a segment on the decrease of vaccination rates in the state. The rate has dropped 3% in 2 years- at 77% compared to 80%. Their "expert" from our local Childrens' Hospital said that the current economy may have something to do with this- less people employed, going without health insurance= more children not getting their recommended vaccinations. Maybe- or maybe parents are becoming more informed.
I did a blog not long ago on this very issue. And had some reaction by parents who have chosen that has made me want to hold my tongue on the issue but I'm feeling very defensive again and it's time to use my voice. One statement in particular really got to me- "I'm perfectly aware that my vaccinated children are protecting your unvaccinated children." Like I made the decision was based on the idea that everyone else's children will protect mine, and I now owe them and thank you and I'll get right on getting them their shots. This is also a ploy the news last night used to get parents on board- we have to think about all the others. I am not saying that is wrong- I fully believe in harming none, but I also feel vaccinations are harming all. I'll get to my thoughts on that in a bit. But I want to address this attitude by those that choose to vaccinate towards those that don't.....
17 years ago I was mainstream in my thoughts on medical society and followed the guidelines on vaccination to a T- even fearing what would happen if I was late getting my oldests' boosters. Back then at 12 months they received 2 shots and an oral polio vax, just 6 years later my middles got 4 shots and 0 oral. The Chicken Pox vaccine was also introduced in that time frame but it wasn't pushed or required- my Ped at the time (she is now deceased- tragic accident) said it was a convenience vaccine- for parents, so there would be no time off from work (or school). She said it was up to me whether or not to give it but since I was an at home mom the time off work issue wasn't an issue. At that time I passed on it but shortly later I began work and it looked like a good idea- for the convenience issue, and because at that point I still trusted vaxes were important. I've vaxed on schedule for 5 of my children- but I started to question the vaxes ideal while pregnant with my O (6 year old) and could only decided against the chicken pox as being one to opt out of. My first refusal of a vax was with O and the chicken pox vax. Why did I suddenly start to question? Many cases of chicken pox and shingles started to appear in vaxed kids and medical society started to recommend a 2nd vax. I had been told only one would make them immune and now that was wrong- what else could they be wrong on? But I continued the rest of O's shots on schedule because I didn't know you could actually stop! I found out later that though I refused O's chicken pox vax it was still given to him- and now I am forced out of fear not to get him the second. Chicken pox and shingles in adults and teens can be bad- I so wish they all had a natural immunity.
I will finish any boosters my oldest children need but am not starting new ones. Especially the HPV vax for the girls. And for the littles they will not receive (in C's case any more) any. I once was in the camp of when they were older and their immune systems were fully developed we'd vaccinate (so we'd be considered delayed vaxers) but since my DH has made a choice and is completely opposed to all and/or any vaccinations for our boys. I will respect his choice as a parent, as he respected mine when we first found out C was a boy and I adamantly opposed circumcision. He came around to my view point and is now an intactivist. I will do the same out of respect for his rights as their father.
I feel there is an air from those that vaccinate (and no I'm not saying from everyone) that they are protecting our children and that is part of the reason those who choose not to vax do so- that we think the herd will protect our children and that is part of the reason we don't vaccinate. I can tell you from my side I could care less whether or not their children are vaccinated or not, choosing to vaccinate is their choice and their right as parents. If they choose not to vax too- so be it.
Why I don't vaccinate: Not because I fear vaxes cause Autism. Not because my Church tells me so (well I guess it does kind of. Harm none- I see this as being told not to damage my children at all- I don't circ by boys because I feel it's doing harm to them, so in a way I see injecting them with toxins in the same light. With circumcision I've always said if as teens or adults they make the choice to do that to their own body I'll support them- I feel the same with vaxes. You can always vax, you can never unvax.)
I am an inquisitive person by nature, I like to ask why and have the whole picture before I make decisions. I can not follow blindly. I have learned in life there are times when why is not the question to ask because sometimes life just is. But in science you ask why. That's the whole point in it. And vaccines are based on science. And there are not enough answers to the whys for me to make a comfortable decision. The generation before mine was the first to really have a schedule for vaccines and now there's the question: WHY are so many more people suffering from diabetes, heart disease, cancer, than generations ago? Could it be life style or environmental? Could it be mass vaccination? I may not be the first to ask this but it is not a common reason as to why some decide not to vaccinate. These questions are not being study or even asked in the mainstream- and to me that looks suspicious. And does not answer questions in my head, too many questions unanswered makes me uncomfortable making an informed decision. As a parent its my responsibility to have as many answers as possible.
Vaccines are made up of things that if were found in our homes would have warning labels to not ingest, keep out of reach of children and are harmful all around. But we're supposed to inject these same toxins into a newborn, infants and children on a regular basis. This seems absurd to me. There are countries out there that start vaxes later in life- why not here? Why can we not seek damages for injuries resulting from vaccines? I can get into a lot of conspiracy theories here but won't- I think you can already tell I don't trust everything I am told by the Big Entities. But these questions lead me to more and without the answers I can not, in good consciousness, continue to make decisions that may affect my childrens' health for a life time. These could be more serious down the road than what vaccines are protecting us against.
Please don't assume every parent that decides to not vaccinate doesn't worry about others and feel that your children are protecting ours. A choice is a choice. In the US we are free to make choices- it's one of the things that make us who we are- and we are free to ask why. Some, like me, ask why maybe too much and aren't finding answers. Maybe others should ask why too.
Showing posts with label Vaccines. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Vaccines. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
And Back to Vaxes
No I'm not talking about going back to vaccinating my family. I talking about another vaccine blog on the topic. Our experiences and opinions.
A little back history- my oldest 5 children are vaccinated- most fully, but eventually all will be, I have chosen to finish theirs. Well with the exception of the newer vaccines (HPV for one). My middle 3 are still short on the chicken pox vax and will finish it because simply since they've already had one the likelihood of them contracting it naturally is slim to none but in the rare case they did contract as say adults, when the effectiveness is worn down, I don't want them to. So they will receive their boosters. Along with rubella (if there is any more shots needed) for the girls. Also now that my eldest children are mid and late teens I'm letting them take the reins on the decisions. T will probably never have a shot in his life- nor will he probably vaccinate his own children, when the time comes. He's outraged by the things that we allow to be injected into our bodies, and our childrens' bodies. He once asked me "Why would you let them put that in me?!" All I could answer was "Because I didn't know better and trusted what they told me I had to do- what was best for you."
And this was true. Back then I didn't know better- there really wasn't internet and info that was readily available to the uninformed was scarce. This was the early 90s and I was 18, my info came from those we were supposed to trust and rely on, those with the education and information I didn't have, nor would I be able to obtain easily (medical school was out of the question at that point). Things are different now- if you need information just Google it! And there are a lot more people to ask- there's been a shift in thought- don't ask don't tell is going the way of the dinosaur and people are asking, telling (hell some are shouting it from the roof tops!), and lots more are questioning.
A decision that took me years to make and a brand new backbone (or the confidence to face opposition) with lots of internal struggling still- took my DH less than a year to make. I've read and researched so much (needed to make the "right" decision ya know?), He read a few studies, a few articles, listened to what I found and experienced our first son's reaction to his vaccinations with me. And he made a decision and has never waivered, only gotten stronger. I wish I had that confidence. His stance: Our sons will never be vaccinated (again for C, ever for J). I still sometimes waiver between "Not at all" and "Later, much later- like after 5. And then just a select few." You can always vaccinate later- you can never undo a vaccination.
I hate to say it, it makes me really uncomfortable to think this way- But my family is a little science experiment. We have 7 children growing up in the same household- same foods, exposure to environment and mother (some father). And some are vaxed fully, some are not at all, some only just a few. And from here we'll be able to see the risks and affects- in a casual way. We'll be able to see if the youngers (that are unvaxed or have had just a few) will develop what the older full vaxed have. (Asthma, ADHD, food intolerance's) Yes I know some evidence is out there that genetic make up is involved but they have a lot of the same- more than random strangers in tests do. And we're not going to be publishing this as a formal study, rather we'll look at it and gain personal experience and opinion.
But I do wish this informal science experiment wasn't happening. I wish I had had the info I have now (and the backbone) 17 years ago.
A little back history- my oldest 5 children are vaccinated- most fully, but eventually all will be, I have chosen to finish theirs. Well with the exception of the newer vaccines (HPV for one). My middle 3 are still short on the chicken pox vax and will finish it because simply since they've already had one the likelihood of them contracting it naturally is slim to none but in the rare case they did contract as say adults, when the effectiveness is worn down, I don't want them to. So they will receive their boosters. Along with rubella (if there is any more shots needed) for the girls. Also now that my eldest children are mid and late teens I'm letting them take the reins on the decisions. T will probably never have a shot in his life- nor will he probably vaccinate his own children, when the time comes. He's outraged by the things that we allow to be injected into our bodies, and our childrens' bodies. He once asked me "Why would you let them put that in me?!" All I could answer was "Because I didn't know better and trusted what they told me I had to do- what was best for you."
And this was true. Back then I didn't know better- there really wasn't internet and info that was readily available to the uninformed was scarce. This was the early 90s and I was 18, my info came from those we were supposed to trust and rely on, those with the education and information I didn't have, nor would I be able to obtain easily (medical school was out of the question at that point). Things are different now- if you need information just Google it! And there are a lot more people to ask- there's been a shift in thought- don't ask don't tell is going the way of the dinosaur and people are asking, telling (hell some are shouting it from the roof tops!), and lots more are questioning.
A decision that took me years to make and a brand new backbone (or the confidence to face opposition) with lots of internal struggling still- took my DH less than a year to make. I've read and researched so much (needed to make the "right" decision ya know?), He read a few studies, a few articles, listened to what I found and experienced our first son's reaction to his vaccinations with me. And he made a decision and has never waivered, only gotten stronger. I wish I had that confidence. His stance: Our sons will never be vaccinated (again for C, ever for J). I still sometimes waiver between "Not at all" and "Later, much later- like after 5. And then just a select few." You can always vaccinate later- you can never undo a vaccination.
I hate to say it, it makes me really uncomfortable to think this way- But my family is a little science experiment. We have 7 children growing up in the same household- same foods, exposure to environment and mother (some father). And some are vaxed fully, some are not at all, some only just a few. And from here we'll be able to see the risks and affects- in a casual way. We'll be able to see if the youngers (that are unvaxed or have had just a few) will develop what the older full vaxed have. (Asthma, ADHD, food intolerance's) Yes I know some evidence is out there that genetic make up is involved but they have a lot of the same- more than random strangers in tests do. And we're not going to be publishing this as a formal study, rather we'll look at it and gain personal experience and opinion.
But I do wish this informal science experiment wasn't happening. I wish I had had the info I have now (and the backbone) 17 years ago.
Monday, September 6, 2010
HDYF (How do you Feel?)- Vaxes
So I think I may do this time to time: a How Do You Feel? blog, where I post a topic a ask readers to respond on how they feel about the topic. I know really a no-brainer, I probably shouldn't felt the need to explain. But I do hope if you read this blog you'll respond- even if you aren't a subscriber!
Today's Topic (obviously): Vaxes but more specifically unvaxed children around vaxed children.
Most parents I know that don't vax don't have issues bringing their children around all other children (vaxed or unvaxed) and actually have more friends that don't than parents who do vax. (They tend to run in similar circles.) The general rule of Respect (and this should be for all parents and children no matter what their vax decision is) is if your child has been exposed to a contagious illness, don't bring them around others. And even if it's something as simple as the common cold, you check first with the other parent. (Yes I am aware this is not always the case and more often than not is the exception.) There are parents out there that seek out common childhood illnesses (ex. Chicken pox and chicken pox parties) in the hopes their child will catch it and build a natural immunity. And there are parents out there that fully vax their young ones but still keep them home and worry they'll catch Something.
Many vaxing parents are angry at non-vaxing parents for their choice and blame is thorn. I always believed once your vaxed for something you'll NEVER be able to get it.
Wrong. For instance the pertussis vax only lessens the symptoms but doesn't keep you from getting it OR spreading it, yes a lesser case is better and less easily spread but my doctor's always have led me to believe we'll never get it! (and just for thought say my oldest fully vaxed child catches whopping cough but it goes untreated because it doesn't seem that bad she can still spread it to the new little one who will be unvaxed for it simply because s/he will be too young to get that shot.) There are definitely pro and cons to that particular vax, IMOP.
And being vaxed as a child doesn't mean you have that particular immunity. I learned this the interesting way- at the beginning of this pregnancy I had my immunities tested. I tested for immunities to chicken pox- which I had naturally as a child and rubella- which I was vaxed for as a child, in combination with mumps and measles. I DO NOT have an immunity to either of the others- Mumps or Measles. So that vax was not completely effective.
Now all my older children are fully vaxed- the oldest 2 have even had their 2nd doses for chicken pox and R has had 2 out of 3 HPV vaxes- the first of which I consented to before knowing the side effects and the fact that the risks out weigh the positives. The 2nd was given to her a teen clinic, w/o my permission- it's not necessary because they consider it a sexual health issue and here in our state, permission is not need for children when it comes to treatment of sexual health at all. She is now 17 and I'm leaving the choice up to her on whether to receive the last shot (well I also don't have a choice/voice in the matter in regards to her clinic.) I made my op clear and have asked her to look it up and weigh the pros and cons before deciding. P and B are still luckily young enough I do still have a choice and they WILL NOT get that shot!
I regret the chicken pox vax- to the point I didn't want to vax O at all for it but at his 12 mth appt he was given it after I denied! I am now left to wonder what to do, and have for the moment decided to wait till he's in middle school to receive the second and hope and pray he's exposed naturally and can build that immunity himself.
Did you know that when vaxing the diease you've vaxed for runs through your body for years always active, you immune system always trying to fight it off?! Never getting a break or being able to form fully- which by the way doesn't happen until somewhere between 3 and 10 years of age, depending on who you ask. (Just a interesting fact I picked up.)
We will not vax for rotavirsus, flu, H1N1, or chicken pox. As for Hep A and B do not see the point of vaxing small children and babies for a sexually transmitted dieases- as teens yes and young adults. In general the vax dosage they give to my 175 lb teen is the same dose they give to my 12 lb 6 month old!
C is not fully vaxed and will not be receiving any more for a GOOD LONG time. This is a decision we've made as parents and after much thought and research. He has received 2 shots of Prevar (meningitis) and 3 doses of DTaP-Hib. That's it! No MMR, polio, or others. Does this cause a concern in you? Does this make you want to avoid me and him? Especially around your little ones? Does this make you feel like we are breaking the loop of herd immunity? And putting everyone at risk? Or do you see it as a choice we've made? And it really doesn't bother you? Are we reckless parents? Ignorant?
Does the info that C had a bad reaction to his 3rd round of vaxes change your mind? And make it more "forgivable"? Did you imagine we were those parents that have made this choice?! Is the above info that we've decided to stop vaxing him (and will not be vaxing the new baby at all because of C's reaction) make you feel that our choice is okay? Would you normally stop and ask why someone would make that choice? Or do you have more of an open mind and are open to new info on vaxing?
So HDYF? Honestly........
(Oh for the record- an case there are any questions- C's reaction was classified by his doctor as "bad" not extreme and luckily he'll have no permanent effects from it and also recommended stopping vaxing for him. He ran a temp, on Mortin/Tylenol, of 103 for 5 days straight, no he was not sick before had, and the doctor who saw him actually commented on how healthy he was, he was lethargic and just sat there looking horrid and out of it the whole time. When I contacted our clinic 2 days after the shot I got the brush off from the triage nurse- who dismissed it as a "normal" reaction and didn't even note in his file that I'd called with concerns, even after specifically asking for it to be. :( We originally had decided to get just one shot at a time but at the 2nd round we were swayed by our ped to add Prevnar, since it was one she was really concerned about. Now we don't know which vax caused the reaction, since we didn't follow our instincts and now both are unsafe for him, in our opinion.)
Today's Topic (obviously): Vaxes but more specifically unvaxed children around vaxed children.
Most parents I know that don't vax don't have issues bringing their children around all other children (vaxed or unvaxed) and actually have more friends that don't than parents who do vax. (They tend to run in similar circles.) The general rule of Respect (and this should be for all parents and children no matter what their vax decision is) is if your child has been exposed to a contagious illness, don't bring them around others. And even if it's something as simple as the common cold, you check first with the other parent. (Yes I am aware this is not always the case and more often than not is the exception.) There are parents out there that seek out common childhood illnesses (ex. Chicken pox and chicken pox parties) in the hopes their child will catch it and build a natural immunity. And there are parents out there that fully vax their young ones but still keep them home and worry they'll catch Something.
Many vaxing parents are angry at non-vaxing parents for their choice and blame is thorn. I always believed once your vaxed for something you'll NEVER be able to get it.
Wrong. For instance the pertussis vax only lessens the symptoms but doesn't keep you from getting it OR spreading it, yes a lesser case is better and less easily spread but my doctor's always have led me to believe we'll never get it! (and just for thought say my oldest fully vaxed child catches whopping cough but it goes untreated because it doesn't seem that bad she can still spread it to the new little one who will be unvaxed for it simply because s/he will be too young to get that shot.) There are definitely pro and cons to that particular vax, IMOP.
And being vaxed as a child doesn't mean you have that particular immunity. I learned this the interesting way- at the beginning of this pregnancy I had my immunities tested. I tested for immunities to chicken pox- which I had naturally as a child and rubella- which I was vaxed for as a child, in combination with mumps and measles. I DO NOT have an immunity to either of the others- Mumps or Measles. So that vax was not completely effective.
Now all my older children are fully vaxed- the oldest 2 have even had their 2nd doses for chicken pox and R has had 2 out of 3 HPV vaxes- the first of which I consented to before knowing the side effects and the fact that the risks out weigh the positives. The 2nd was given to her a teen clinic, w/o my permission- it's not necessary because they consider it a sexual health issue and here in our state, permission is not need for children when it comes to treatment of sexual health at all. She is now 17 and I'm leaving the choice up to her on whether to receive the last shot (well I also don't have a choice/voice in the matter in regards to her clinic.) I made my op clear and have asked her to look it up and weigh the pros and cons before deciding. P and B are still luckily young enough I do still have a choice and they WILL NOT get that shot!
I regret the chicken pox vax- to the point I didn't want to vax O at all for it but at his 12 mth appt he was given it after I denied! I am now left to wonder what to do, and have for the moment decided to wait till he's in middle school to receive the second and hope and pray he's exposed naturally and can build that immunity himself.
Did you know that when vaxing the diease you've vaxed for runs through your body for years always active, you immune system always trying to fight it off?! Never getting a break or being able to form fully- which by the way doesn't happen until somewhere between 3 and 10 years of age, depending on who you ask. (Just a interesting fact I picked up.)
We will not vax for rotavirsus, flu, H1N1, or chicken pox. As for Hep A and B do not see the point of vaxing small children and babies for a sexually transmitted dieases- as teens yes and young adults. In general the vax dosage they give to my 175 lb teen is the same dose they give to my 12 lb 6 month old!
C is not fully vaxed and will not be receiving any more for a GOOD LONG time. This is a decision we've made as parents and after much thought and research. He has received 2 shots of Prevar (meningitis) and 3 doses of DTaP-Hib. That's it! No MMR, polio, or others. Does this cause a concern in you? Does this make you want to avoid me and him? Especially around your little ones? Does this make you feel like we are breaking the loop of herd immunity? And putting everyone at risk? Or do you see it as a choice we've made? And it really doesn't bother you? Are we reckless parents? Ignorant?
Does the info that C had a bad reaction to his 3rd round of vaxes change your mind? And make it more "forgivable"? Did you imagine we were those parents that have made this choice?! Is the above info that we've decided to stop vaxing him (and will not be vaxing the new baby at all because of C's reaction) make you feel that our choice is okay? Would you normally stop and ask why someone would make that choice? Or do you have more of an open mind and are open to new info on vaxing?
So HDYF? Honestly........
(Oh for the record- an case there are any questions- C's reaction was classified by his doctor as "bad" not extreme and luckily he'll have no permanent effects from it and also recommended stopping vaxing for him. He ran a temp, on Mortin/Tylenol, of 103 for 5 days straight, no he was not sick before had, and the doctor who saw him actually commented on how healthy he was, he was lethargic and just sat there looking horrid and out of it the whole time. When I contacted our clinic 2 days after the shot I got the brush off from the triage nurse- who dismissed it as a "normal" reaction and didn't even note in his file that I'd called with concerns, even after specifically asking for it to be. :( We originally had decided to get just one shot at a time but at the 2nd round we were swayed by our ped to add Prevnar, since it was one she was really concerned about. Now we don't know which vax caused the reaction, since we didn't follow our instincts and now both are unsafe for him, in our opinion.)
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