Thanks for all the input, ladies!

DH and I have been talking about this... I think we have come up with an agreement that we both will feel comfortable with!

Message edited 12/27/2006 10:14:43 AM.

Re: Your thoughts on vaccinations? Anyone out there decide NOT to vaccinate their children?

I just read somewhere about something they are calling a "Middle Class Syndrome" where parents don't want to vaccinate their children and bringing back old fashioned diseases such as polio. I think that the benefits outweigh the risks and if your children do not have the vaccinations, they will not be allowed to enter schools or daycare centers.

Again, I feel that it is important...in my opinion, if you feel that strongly about vaccinations, its time for you to lead a self sufficient life where you grow all your own food, make sure everything that you ingest is organic and grown by you....I hate baby food in jars, that also has things like mercury involved in the manufacturing process.

(I don't mean you in particular, I just mean that we are pumping our bodies full of such CRAP every single day...these vaccinations are just a teensy tiny amount compared to what we ingest every single day)

Re: Your thoughts on vaccinations? Anyone out there decide NOT to vaccinate their children?

I understand your thoughts...but what about all the vaccinations we had which are the same now....and there is nothing wrong with us??

Re: Your thoughts on vaccinations? Anyone out there decide NOT to vaccinate their children?

It can definitely seem excessive with all the vaccines they get. However, I would never NOT get them. I'd be too scared, plus I can't imagine not putting him in schools because I refused to get him vaccinated. That's just me though. Good luck whatever you choose!

Re: Your thoughts on vaccinations? Anyone out there decide NOT to vaccinate their children?

Before our DD was born DH and I read a ton of info on the different shots and were very nervous about about the mercury levels in certain shots. We would never not have her vaccinated we just choose to modify the shot schedule and only giver her two shots at a time and not give her the hep B until she was ready to go to school. Most shots don't contain mercury anymore anyway...just check with the dr before hand.

Re: Your thoughts on vaccinations? Anyone out there decide NOT to vaccinate their children?

I do believe in vaccinating against most things but not all but I definitely do not believe there is any scientific reason or benefit to the CDC's schedule and we did not follow it at all. We did not vaccinate until 5 months (would have waited longer if we weren't going to be traveling out of the country). We also 1-2 shots at a time and are delaying MMR until after she is 2. We most likely won't do chicken pox and she still has not gotten a flu vaccine. She also did not get HepB at birth and will not get it at all until I feel she's at risk. I did let her start the HepA series at her 15 month because we eat out quite a bit with her and we'll be traveling to Mexico this summer.
I think it's complete overkill to start giving babies shots at 8 weeks for diseases that are basically non existent and 4 shots at a time is way too much for me. Also if you do that many shots at once how do you know which one your child could be having a reaction to. Our doctor goes with whatever we want to do and so far this is working out fine for us and for DD. She has not had a reaction to any vaccines.


ETA: Most schools can't make you keep your kids home because they aren't vaccinated. There are religious and philoshophical clauses that allow parents not to vaccinate. Every state is different however and you have to see what the rules are.

Message edited 12/26/2006 1:29:02 PM.

Re: Your thoughts on vaccinations? Anyone out there decide NOT to vaccinate their children?

Re: Your thoughts on vaccinations? Anyone out there decide NOT to vaccinate their children?

we have vaccinated hannah, making sure that none have thimerisol in it. we will also break up the mmr into 3 separate shots. our ped does not use any vaccines with thimerisol in them. better safe than sorry, in my opinion.

Re: Your thoughts on vaccinations? Anyone out there decide NOT to vaccinate their children?

I am not against vaccinations, and I am on the fence whether I think they trigger autism or not either, but I don't think it's great for a child to get 3 shots at once or put two vaccinations in one syringe. I am going to space them apart - I work late every Tuesday so I am going to ask to come in those mornings for shots in order to space them out. He doens't need to see the Dr for shots as the nurses do them so it shouldn't take us long to get them on those days. I just feel it's better that way to have them spaced out like so.

Re: Your thoughts on vaccinations? Anyone out there decide NOT to vaccinate their children?

Re: Your thoughts on vaccinations? Anyone out there decide NOT to vaccinate their children?

I think there are more vaccinations for children now then there were when we were babies. I have to do more reading up on it.

Re: Your thoughts on vaccinations? Anyone out there decide NOT to vaccinate their children?

I read a number of books (one was called Shot in the DarK) on the subject but opted to vaccinate. I did follow my own schedule & did switch pediatricians after one becames condescending on the subject.

My sister (not your new neighbor - other sister) did not vaccinate her children.

eta. ulitmately the deciding factor was that I expect my children to travel as I did. I want them to be protected should they come in contact with the deadlier viruses. Chicken pox is one I choose to opt out

Message edited 12/26/2006 2:01:33 PM.

Re: Your thoughts on vaccinations? Anyone out there decide NOT to vaccinate their children?

we give all vaccinations but one at a time and no combination vaccines. i do believe that thimerisol triggers autism so that means NO THIMERISOL for my kids! again no flames please...

Re: Your thoughts on vaccinations? Anyone out there decide NOT to vaccinate their children?

Re: Your thoughts on vaccinations? Anyone out there decide NOT to vaccinate their children?

we will also not be following a typical vaccination schedule, i will not give my child the heb b at birth or the flu shot or chicken pox shots when they are very young, def will be doing vaccinations over a long period of time and waiting with the MMR, i work with children with autism and PPD and i cant tell you how many parents have sworn to me that there child was fine till they got those stupid shots and this is still pretty recent within the past 5-6 years where they "don't" use mercury in the MMR and other shots. I will have to do more research and figure out what i want to give my child and when, and will find a peditrician who will work with me

Re: Your thoughts on vaccinations? Anyone out there decide NOT to vaccinate their children?

Re: Your thoughts on vaccinations? Anyone out there decide NOT to vaccinate their children?

Thanks ladies - all of your responses have been very helpful.

Like I said, this is something I am on the fence about - I mean, I was raised with vaccinations, and so was everyone I know, so this is new ground for me. I do know many, many families who chose not to vaccinate their kids at all due to the autism fears, and the kids have been physically healthy (although, I do know some of these children who still are on the autism spectrum, so there goes that theory...)

I need to really sit down and go over this all with DH - but your reponses are welcome and helpful - thanks again... and thanks everyone, for being so nice and polite about it, even if you are not in agreement! I really didn't want any one to break out into a fight on here about it!

Message edited 12/26/2006 2:21:53 PM.

Re: Your thoughts on vaccinations? Anyone out there decide NOT to vaccinate their children?

Posted by lipglossjunky73
I really didn't want any one to break out into a fight on here about it!

Message edited 12/26/2006 2:33:28 PM.

Re: Your thoughts on vaccinations? Anyone out there decide NOT to vaccinate their children?

I would never not vaccinate but I did split and delay the MMR.

My doctor does not give more than 2 shots at a time and I like that.

Message edited 12/26/2006 2:38:15 PM.

Re: Your thoughts on vaccinations? Anyone out there decide NOT to vaccinate their children?

Re: Your thoughts on vaccinations? Anyone out there decide NOT to vaccinate their children?

I will vaccinate my son because my husband is an EMT and he is in contact with a lot of different things during the day that I wouldn't want to put our child at risk for getting.

That being said, once I find a ped, I will see what the schedule is and decide then if we will follow it.

Re: Your thoughts on vaccinations? Anyone out there decide NOT to vaccinate their children?

Since you're specifically asking for people's "opinions" I'll share mine, but I'm not looking to get into an argument with people over the subject either. I think immunization is a necessity if we enjoy the longer lifespans that we now enjoy since we have eliminated things like consumption, TB, polio, etc.

I think those that choose not to vaccinate their child are imposing their will on everyone b/c vaccination only works if all of society participate. You are taking the rest of us for granted by exposing us, both adults and children by not immunizing your own. I think immunizing your children is something you do for 2 reasons, one to prevent them from developing these life-threatening illnesses and secondly to help to erradicate them from our society and keep them at bay. But of course, it goes without saying but I'll say it anyway that this is just my opinion.

Re: Your thoughts on vaccinations? Anyone out there decide NOT to vaccinate their children?

Re: Your thoughts on vaccinations? Anyone out there decide NOT to vaccinate their children?

Re: Your thoughts on vaccinations? Anyone out there decide NOT to vaccinate their children?