May 2017 Moms
nda_roxybabe
member
The great vaccine thread
nda_roxybabe
member
I figured since I feel like I kind of started it, I should start it for real. We're a good group here, I think we can do this!
Are you pro or anti vax?
Do you have any exceptions?
Do you think vaccines should be required by law in order for children to attend school?
Will you let your children play with non vaccinated children?
Anything else?
Are you pro or anti vax?
Do you have any exceptions?
Do you think vaccines should be required by law in order for children to attend school?
Will you let your children play with non vaccinated children?
Anything else?
Married 6/5/14 in Ireland
1st Baby 5/12/17, Henry
1st Baby 5/12/17, Henry
Re: The great vaccine thread
Do you have any exceptions? No
Do you think vaccines should be required by law in order for children to attend school? YES
Will you let your children play with non vaccinated children? I am not going to ask people if they vaccinate their kids before going to a play date or playground, that seems a bit nuts.
May '17 labor memes
Do you have any exceptions? As I mentioned in Randoms I've never had a flu shot. I've always been unsure about Gardasil, but you guys brought up great points. In fact, the statements about religious families begin opposed, I think that is why I've been opposed. This is definitely something I will now consider having baby get when the time comes.
Do you think vaccines should be required by law in order for children to attend school? Yes! I do think if it's a private school then it should be up to the school, but that's more along the lines of my whole thought on private institutions being allowed to remain private. Then again, in a weird way I feel like colleges should require this, but they're private. Hmm... For the most part: Yes!
Will you let your children play with non vaccinated children? I did word this kind of weird. I'm not going to check every child/ parent before my kid plays with them, but I have an anti vax "friend" and I'm honestly hesitant about our children playing together. That may be more so just because we're not that close and I'm judgey AF about her woo ways and she's rudely judgey about evidence based stuff.
Anything else?
1st Baby 5/12/17, Henry
1st Baby 5/12/17, Henry
Do you have any exceptions? No. Besides the obvious allergy/health ones.
Do you think vaccines should be required by law in order for children to attend school? Yes, absolutely.
Will you let your children play with non vaccinated children? As they get older sure. I am not going to ask people but right now if I knew someone was anti-vaxx I probably wouldn't let DS be around them when I have a little baby at home, not to mention the fact that I am and will be immunocompromised for the next few months as I go through treatment.
Anything else? Yeah, this may be UO, but I do kind of get where anti-vaxxers are coming from to a tiny degree. Don't get me wrong, they make me really angry and I think they are ignorant and lack critical thinking skills and a basic understanding of science and medicine, but I do understand that being a parent is scary as hell. Like any other medical procedure ever, vaccines can have side effects, including really serious side effects like brain damage. The odds of those side effects are extremely, extremely low - you're putting your kid in significantly more danger by putting them in the car to drive them to the doctor's office to get the vaccine - but they can happen. So while DS is fully vaccinated and this baby will be too, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a little scared watching him get his shots, especially the first few. I guess what I'm saying is I can see how someone who isn't educated or who doesn't really understand the immune system or epidemiology or how scientific research works could just decide it is easier to forgo vaccines altogether. And all the fear mongering that is out there doesn't help things at all.
Do you have any exceptions? Not personally
Do you think vaccines should be required by law in order for children to attend school? Yes, for anything communicable that can affect the "herd", unless the child has some extenuating circumstance (like they're immunocompromised/allergic).
Will you let your children play with non vaccinated children? If I know the other child is not vaccinated against something communicable (as above), then no, not when they're young.
Anything else? Science
1st Baby 5/12/17, Henry
Extremely pro
Do you have any exceptions?
No, although I'm fine with kids who have health-related reasons to not be vaccinated, of course.
Do you think vaccines should be required by law in order for children to attend school?
Yes, absolutely.
Just read through the other responses. I think that private schools should be required to do it, too, at least if they're going to get certain accreditations and whatnot, and truly be considered "schools."
Will you let your children play with non vaccinated children?
Yes (for my vaccinated children), though if I find out about it I will definitely judge the parents. I'll probably make them talk to me about it. And they might not be very high on my priority list of people to hang out with (though obviously this depends on so many other factors; I wouldn't let it ruin a friendship for my children or myself.)
When I have an unvaccinated newborn/infant, though, I will be more cautious about hanging around with anti-vaxxers and their children. And I would likely ban my kid from playing with non-vaccinated kids if s/he has some condition that precludes being vaccinated and has a compromised immune system -- this does not apply to my current children, though.
Also, when choice is available, I will not send my children to schools that do not require vaccinations.
Anything else?
It drives me NUTS that this is a conversation. There actually is considerable uncertainty in medicine, but vaccines is not one of those areas of medicine that is shaky. It is really a no-brainer. It is one of the few most obvious choices a society and an individual can make with an enormously positive impact.
Yes, I am angry with the people who make the decision not to vaccinate because it is selfish, due to herd immunity. However, if you decide to vaccinate for all of the contagious diseases and then pass on the non-contagious ones, then I won't be angry, but I'll still feel bad for your kid. And of course I'm 100% ok with anyone passing for medical reasons. I'm NOT ok with passing for religious reasons.
Also agree that I would not go to a pediatrician's office that doesn't require vaccinations. Not just because we might catch something (though that is an obvious reason), but because I only want to go with doctors who believe in vaccines fully.
Do you have any exceptions? No, unless you have a specific allergy to it.
Do you think vaccines should be required by law in order for children to attend school? Absolutely. The "religious opt out" needs to be changed/fixed somehow as well. I can't tell you how many times parents marked that box simply because they didn't want to vaccinate. Extremely frustrating as a teacher and parent. And then those same parents were the ones who got pissed when there was a MMR outbreak at the district and all non-vaccinated children were required to stay home for 30 days... guess you should have thought about all the consequences!
Will you let your children play with non vaccinated children? I won't ask if the other children have been vaccinated, so yes they will play with non-vaccinated.
Anything else? I also choose pediatricians based on their office policy with vaccinations; all providers need to be very pro-vaccinations.
Sweet Baby H 12.21.11
Sassy Baby P 03.26.14
Little Brother Due 05.22.17
1st Baby 5/12/17, Henry
Sweet Baby H 12.21.11
Sassy Baby P 03.26.14
Little Brother Due 05.22.17
Are you pro or anti vax? Pro!
Do you have any exceptions? personally I don't like/ won't get a flu shot, I don't believe it has gone through enough testing, being that to be effective it needs to be changed every flu season, and that doesn't meet the minimum standards for vaccine testing.
Do you think vaccines should be required by law in order for children to attend school? YES! A medical reason should be the only reason to opt out, religious is bullshit.
the government here have just revoked welfare for anyone whose children are not vaccinated without medical grounds.
I do also think it shouldn't be all vaccines, as I said before I have an issue with the flu vaccine, but in saying that I would get it and get my kids to have it if it was required of me, I am not THAT opposed to it.
Will you let your children play with non vaccinated children? As with others, I'm not going to check the medical records of every person/child my family come into contact with, however, if I know that your kids aren't vaccinated, unless they have a medical reason not to be (and in that case my kids are up to date with theirs and I would never let them be around the other child if even slightly ill) I would be hesitant letting my kids play with them.
Anything else? I am a firm believer in autism not being a reason not to vaccinate (I am well aware that this has been disproven, but I still hear it time and time again) my father believes that my brothers autism was caused by vaccines, but as he has always said to me, it is not the worst thing that could happen to a child, it is not a reason not to vaccinate them, autism is NOT worse than death.
DS - January 2014
TTCAL | April 2016
CP | June 2016
CP | July 2016
Are you pro or anti vax? Pro
Do you have any exceptions? No, except medical reasons of course
Do you think vaccines should be required by law in order for children to attend school? While I believe everyone should have a choice in many things, I'm not sure this is one of them. You're putting other children at risk and I think that's wrong.
Will you let your children play with non vaccinated children? Like PPs, I'm not going to go around asking every parent if they vaccinated their child, so they will play with them.
ETA: changed "yes" to "pro" ...where was I when I posted earlier?
"A day without laughter is a day wasted." ~Charlie Chaplin
Do you have any exceptions? Basically only if a (pro-vax) doc says they cannot have it.
Do you think vaccines should be required by law in order for children to attend school? Yes, with very, very limited exceptions.
Will you let your children play with non vaccinated children? I won't ask (and at school wouldn't have the opportunity), but if I knew I wouldn't be setting up any play dates with those children.
Anything else? For some reason this topic makes me really sad today rather than the normal rage I feel about it. I hadn't even thought to ask the pediatrician about their policy on vaccinations and think that it is probably not required at my son's doctor's office, since they ask "Are we doing vaccinations today?".
DS2 5/17
#3 Due 9/20
Are you pro or anti vax? Pro
Do you have any exceptions? Medical reasons, but I've heard of people refusing because of nonsense reasons like their child will be traumatized by the needles...yes there was eye rolling.
Do you think vaccines should be required by law in order for children to attend school? Yes. Schools are too much of a perfect storm of a situation to mess around with spreading serious illness that can usually be prevented or made less severe by getting a vaccine.
Will you let your children play with non vaccinated children? Like PP, I'm not going to demand medical records but it would cause hesitation if your child isn't up to date or if I know my child isnt vaccinated yet as an infant.
Anything else? NBR: My own personal soapbox is the age limit on the shingles vaccine. My insurance won't cover it until age 60. I had shingles in the first trimester of this pregnancy and I wouldn't wish it on anyone. Even though I have had it the insurance still won't budge on coverage so here's hoping these next 30ish years are shingle-free. If it wasn't almost $300 I would suck it up and just go to the pharmacy (after baby arrives, of course).
Sweet Baby H 12.21.11
Sassy Baby P 03.26.14
Little Brother Due 05.22.17
1st Baby 5/12/17, Henry
Do you have any exceptions? I guess only if the doctor indicated there was a health risk to my child due to allergies, etc.
Do you think vaccines should be required by law in order for children to attend school? Absolutely. Only exception to those kids should be medical.
Will you let your children play with non vaccinated children? Not if I know they are not vaccinated. Before we moved, we used to be part of a playgroup and at one point I found out that there was a mom with non-vaccinated kid. We stopped going to any activities she put on and if I knew they were planning on attending, we would simply not go. A bunch of moms did that and she got super offended but hey, if not vaccinating her kids is her way of looking after her kids' health, not letting mine around her kids is my way.
Anything else? I just hate that this is even an issue. And I agree that shingles should be covered at a much younger age. Basically if there is a vaccine out there against something serious, it should be made part of preventive care.
Married 8/27/2011
BFP #1 9/28/2011 DS born 5/22/2012
BFP #2 4/24/2013 m/c 4/25/2013 at 4w
BFP #3 1/31/2014 DD born 10/14/2014
BFP #4 1/20/2016 m/c 2/12/2014 at 7w2d
BFP #5 8/19/2016 DS2 born 4/29/2017
BFP #6 3/7/2018 EDD 11/18/2018
Do you have any exceptions? Nope. ETA: I do understand that some people cannot get vaccines for various MEDICAL reasons, in which case they should obviously be exempt. But situations like that make it even more important for the rest of the population to be vaccinated...
Do you think vaccines should be required by law in order for children to attend school? Absolutely. All schools. And flying on planes, going to the mall, going to the playground...kidding, of course, but there are more places than schools for non-vaccinated people to spread disease.
Will you let your children play with non vaccinated children? I have never asked a parent if they vaccinate their children, it seems a little crazy. But I also know most/all of the children and families that my toddler plays with. He's not old enough to have much of an opinion about his friends, so I am friends with his friends' parents and I know them all well enough to know they are not anti-vaxers.
Anything else? I mentioned this in the other thread, but it drives me crazy when people who are anti-vaccine don't take time to fully understand the science behind it. I think part of the fear stems from lack of critical thinking and problem solving skills, which is a whole separate conversation because I think that's the area that the education system needs to REALLY focus on so that we can have future generations that don't make dumb decisions based on misinformation and anecdotal evidence. Having a population filled with critical thinkers that know how to evaluate facts and evidence would solve SO many problems in our society...sigh....
Do you have any exceptions? Only legit medical exceptions.
Do you think vaccines should be required by law in order for children to attend school? Yes
Will you let your children play with non vaccinated children? Like others have said, I can't ask every kid at the park. However, if I know your kid isn't vaccinated (unless you have a legit medical exception), your kid will not be playing with my kid. I'm close enough to my friends with kids to know who does it and who doesn't. The one family that doesn't vax doesn't get to see my kid. I don't really like them anyway. :P I was also in a pro-vax playgroup for awhile.
Anything else? I got a notice from DD's daycare that someone in their program has chicken pox. Blerg. Here's hoping her varicella vaccine stuck! Also, flu shots should be required.
Come out, anti-vaxxers. We know you're out there.
May17 Siggy Challenge
Labor
DS2 5/17
#3 Due 9/20
Are you pro or anti vax? yes!!! I am also one that judges those who do not vaccinate. Especially because a lot of the time they cite Facebook or other stupid articles as "scientific".
Do you have any exceptions? As others have said only for an allergy with a doctors note.
Do you think vaccines should be required by law in order for children to attend school? Hell yes! Get rid of the religious exclusion. You are hurting those that have an actual medical diagnoses and are unable to be vaccinated. All schools where lots of children congregate should be required by law that they have to be vaccinated.
Will you let your children play with non vaccinated children? I also won't ask but if I find out play dates will be few and far in between.
Anything else? There is a cycle every so many years where there is a big anti-vaccination movement and then lots of kids gets sick so the next generation is most pro-vaccination. Then it starts all over again. If you don't want to vaccinate come up with a solid argument not just one you read on social media or because a celebrity endorses it. Real scientific facts.
Of course seeing your child in pain sucks as a parent, but SCIENCE says that these vaccines are ok together and should be given at these certain ages.
Sweet Baby H 12.21.11
Sassy Baby P 03.26.14
Little Brother Due 05.22.17
Do you have any exceptions? None, barring legitimate medical reasons
Do you think vaccines should be required by law in order for children to attend school? Yes, yes, yes. I don't think there should be a religious exemption. Don't get me wrong, I am very much a proponent of religious freedom and I respect sincere devotion to ones beliefs...so long as they do not harm others.
Will you let your children play with non vaccinated children? When they're little, I would not knowingly encourage it, but realistically won't ask their parents.
Anything else? Nope, just patiently waiting around for the anti-vaxxers to come out of the woodwork....
Edited for grammar- I get sloppy when I rant.
Human sons: 11/2015 & 05/2017
*formerly kayemjay*
May '17 labor memes
Do you have any exceptions? No, unless it is a legitimate medical reason.
Do you think vaccines should be required by law in order for children to attend school? Yes. I think they need to stop handing out religious exemptions, because in my experience, most exemptions are not religion based at all, but rather based on fear mongering and made up science. If you don't want to vaccinate, you should homeschool.
Will you let your children play with non vaccinated children? I'm not asking people on the playground, but I tend to gravitate away from parents who I know are anti vax. DS is still pretty young when it comes to choosing friends and I've found that if the parents are agains vaccines, there isn't much else in life we are going to agree on either.
Anything else?
It makes me so angry that this is even a point of contention. It feels like such a selfish first world problem to me, because there are so many people in other places in the world who would be lining up to get their children vaccinated. On a personal level, I have a BIL who is extremely anti vaccine while SIL works in the medical field. They have no children yet, but they are trying this year and I'm really interested/worried about what they will decide. (SIL has always been a bit of a pushover) I definitely won't be able to keep my mouth shut when the time comes.
Sweet Baby H 12.21.11
Sassy Baby P 03.26.14
Little Brother Due 05.22.17
May '17 labor memes
Any of the pro-vax AZ ladies if your looking for a pediatrician in the East Valley I have one for you!
Sweet Baby H 12.21.11
Sassy Baby P 03.26.14
Little Brother Due 05.22.17
1st Baby 5/12/17, Henry
@MoshiMoshi7: Yes to the first-world problem and people elsewhere lining up to get it. A good example is the polio vaccine. Once the vaccine was developed in the 1950s here in the U.S., the disease went from being the worst-feared childhood illness of that era to virtually nonexistent in our lifetimes (meaning, those of us on this board, like 20-to-40 years olds).
Wikipedia says:
"Polio was eliminated in the Americas by 1994. The disease was officially eliminated in 36 Western Pacific countries, including China and Australia in 2000. Europe was declared polio-free in 2002. Since January 2011, there were no reported cases of the disease in India, and hence in February 2012, the country was taken off the WHO list of polio endemic countries. In March 2014, India was declared a polio-free country."
So, progress! And it's all thanks to the parents of those kids in the 1960s and 1970s who lined up for the vaccines---WITHOUT DEBATE---and got their kids immunized for the sake of themselves and the communities they lived in. Everyone pulled together, and the result is awesome: It's history-proven that vaccines work.
The problem today is that if 5% or 10% of parents (I'm just making that up, I have no idea what the real stats are---anybody else know?) don't keep their kids safe with vaccines, then the diseases never truly go away. They'll still exist, still creep back into circulation, and still keep making people sick for decades to come.
If there were an AIDS vaccine today, I'd make sure my child received it. Wouldn't it be great to tell our kids/grandkids someday that "in the 1980s/1990s/etc. there was this horrible virus that made people really sick and immunocompromised, and you can read about it in the history books, since it's no longer affecting people"? That can only happen if EVERYONE lines up to take the shot and eliminate the spread of the disease. Those few percentage holdouts only make the situation linger on.
I'm 100 % for personal choice, less gov't mandates, reduced political interference in health issues, all for abortion rights, allowing breast pumping at work, and so on. I can be all those things and still want schools to require vaccinations in order to attend. This is a Public Health Issue!
@MoshiMoshi7: Yes to homeschooling as a valid option: That is an acceptable consequence for not considering the well-being of your kids' classmates.
1st Baby 5/12/17, Henry
We we ended up telling family about baby much earlier than planned because of having to explain the severity of having the shingles. Looking back, it's been nice to have that extra time celebrating this baby with our families and not having to keep it a secret.
1st Baby 5/12/17, Henry