@PartiallyDomesticated Not snark just curious why you say the influenza vaccine "doesn't meet the minimum standards for vaccine testing." You're absolutely right about the strains changing every season (based on data from the Southern Hemisphere!) and thus the exact 'recipe' of viral particles being in flux, but that doesn't translate to the vaccine missing some mark in terms of testing standards. Unless I've missed something in my education (definitely possible!).
ETA: Another plug for "On Immunity" by Eula Biss! It's a great read, with history, science (plenty of science) and personal mama experience woven throughout.
Are you pro or anti vax? Pro Do you have any exceptions? Medical. The end. 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? Someone who is all like OMG VACCINES KILL. No. But as others said, I am not going to ask.
@nda_roxybabe I believe Jehovah Witnesses don't vax. But I really don't know of any other religion that doesn't. Also, I am basing this knowledge off of a law & order episode, so don't quote me.
I am super surprised that there are no anti-vax Mom's here.
Also agree that delayed vax is dumb. I actually heard that there is more of a "risk" because like PP said, there hasn't been enough studies/research on a delayed vax schedule.
(@nda_roxybabe: this is totally a tangent off of your comment, which got me thinking)... and I admit, this is totally a crazy train of thought here, but if her son is unprotected, why would she willingly want to send him into the lion's den of germy-ness that is a school? Is it a mentality of "my kid won't ever get sick"? Would she also not care in 10 or 15 years if her son had sex without a condom to protect himself? (Did I just take that too far? I know it's not the same, but it's still related.)
My assumption here is that some people who are anti-vax feel like the risk of their kid getting sick is minimal compared to the risk of getting the vaccine (*heavy eye roll*). So probably yeah, she thinks there's not a real or actual risk involved with sending her unvaccinated kid to school.
Do you have any exceptions? For me, as an adult, I did not begin getting the flu shot until my graduate program when I had an internship at the hospital and it was required. I've gotten it most years since then and will continue. The kids get flu (along w the regularly scheduled vaccines).
Do you think vaccines should be required by law in order for children to attend school? I think there will always be "the exception" but in general I do believe children should be vaccinated
Will you let your children play with non vaccinated children? This is a hard one for us, as 11yr old DD's best friend is non-vax. They have been friends for years and just this year she told DD that she doesn't get "shots". I was very taken aback and DH and I decided to talk with DD and basically it comes down to the friend doesn't come around DS2 and won't be around DD2/3. It's very tricky.
Anything else? DS1 and DD1 have had the guardisil series. We left it up to them after doing research as as a family. They both decided it was best for their protection. DS1 doesn't get a flu shot ever but DD1 always gets a flu shot. I'm pretty strong with "your body your choices" but always help provide research and info for them to be as informed in their decisions as can be
Are you pro or anti vax? Very, very pro. Do you have any exceptions? My daughter has an egg allergy and our pedi has advised against her getting the flu shot. That's all. Do you think vaccines should be required by law in order for children to attend school? I'm torn on this because there should be religious and health exceptions, but parents should have to receive education if they decline. Will you let your children play with non vaccinated children? Sure, they're vaccinated and have no immune disorders, so non vaxxed children don't worry me.
Anything else? I actually had a "vaccine injury" (I hate that phrase, it was a REACTION, but whatever). And my brother had such a bad to reaction he almost died. I'm still pro vaccines. I still vaccinate my kids and my brother does, too. We are both just fine now with no lasting affects of our reactions and the thing we both reacted to are no longer concerns. My kids have always done just fine with theirs.
And my biggest reason for vaccinating my kids is because I don't want them to live in a bubble. I want them to travel and to see the world. I want them to go places where some of these diseases are still prevalent and these vaccines are required for travel. Or join the military if they want to without having to jam a lifetime of vaccines into a few days. So I do this assuming my kids won't live their wholes lives exclusively in our mostly disease free community.
B born 7/15/13, C born 3/2/15, #3 on the way May '17
I’m a modern man, a man for the millennium. Digital and smoke free. A diversified multi-cultural, post-modern deconstruction that is anatomically and ecologically incorrect. I’ve been up linked and downloaded, I’ve been inputted and outsourced, I know the upside of downsizing, I know the downside of upgrading. I’m a high-tech low-life. A cutting edge, state-of-the-art bi-coastal multi-tasker and I can give you a gigabyte in a nanosecond! I’m new wave, but I’m old school and my inner child is outward bound. I’m a hot-wired, heat seeking, warm-hearted cool customer, voice activated and bio-degradable. I interface with my database, my database is in cyberspace, so I’m interactive, I’m hyperactive and from time to time I’m radioactive.
@PghMom412 so sorry about the shingles! My mom has had them a couple of times and had it on her scalp and face, possibly both times but not sure. She was in so much pain! I'm glad it sounds like yours weren't too bad!
"A day without laughter is a day wasted." ~Charlie Chaplin
Do you have any exceptions? I don't know if I am totally on board with Gardasil - Luckily, I have a while to decide on that one
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'm not likely to interrogate before playdates, but if I knew someone were anti-vax I would probably hesitate.
Anything else? This may be the most controversial thing that's been said so far... Hold onto your seats! (Disclaimer: Like I've answered above, I am PRO-VAX! When looking for a Ped for DS, if an office's website said anything about optional vaccines or alternative schedules, I crossed them of my list. See, I'm with you guys!) BUT... In the back of my mind, I do think sometimes... What if??? Obviously it's not a loud enough voice to make me change my mind, but I do wonder if we'll all be singing a different tune in 10? 20? 50? years after much more research has been done. I guess only time will tell. (Don't kick me out, PLEASE!)
Are you pro or anti vax? Pro. Anti-vaxxers make me angry. Do you have any exceptions? Medical only Do you think vaccines should be required by law in order for children to attend school? Yes, unless the child can't for medical reasons. Will you let your children play with non vaccinated children? Well, I probably wouldn't ask. Hopefully they'd be safe because they'll have their vaccines.
Me: 29, DH: 31 Married: October 2014 Began TTC: April 2015 BFP #1: 9/18/15. EDD 5/18/16. MC 10/26/15. (9w) BFP #2: 2/27/16. EDD 11/7/16. MC/D&E 4/20/16 (11w) BFP #3: 9/22/16. EDD 5/29/17. DS born 4/24/17 BFP #4: 5/20/18. EDD 1/23/19.
So... the Dutch Reformed Church and maybe kind of Scientology.
but I think that a lot of people choose their own understanding of their religion rather than actually researching what their religion's position is on things.
I kinda missed all the fun... but want to make sure my vote gets counted for "pro!"
Are you pro or anti vax? Very Pro! Do you have any exceptions? I'm OK with legitimate medical objections. I think sometimes there are people who blow minor reactions (fever, malaise, etc) and try to pass them off as real exemptions. Obviously legitimate medical reactions get a pass. Which makes it even more important for everyone else who CAN be vaccinated, get vaccinated to protect these people! I think religious exemption is basically a bunch of crap. I'm all for religious freedom, but I don't understand this, and I know theres only a very select 1-2 religions that actually object. I kinda feel like people should provide some sort of actual proof that they subscribe to and actively participate in that religion. Do you think vaccines should be required by law in order for children to attend school? Duh. Will you let your children play with non vaccinated children? I'm in the camp that won't be asking, but if something happens and my child has to miss a vaccine etc, then I'll definitely make a point to know what they're getting into.
Do you have any exceptions? Honestly, none that I can think of. I guess for a valid medical reason?
Do you think vaccines should be required by law in order for children to attend school? Yes! And I think those who check the "religious reason" box should be required to provide some kind of documentation that explains how it is against their religion. Maybe that is a requirement for all I know.
Will you allow your children to play with non vaccinated children? Like most other people, I don't think I'll be asking parents about vaccinations, but if I happen to know that a particular kid isn't vaccinated, I may think twice.
@PartiallyDomesticated Not snark just curious why you say the influenza vaccine "doesn't meet the minimum standards for vaccine testing." You're absolutely right about the strains changing every season (based on data from the Southern Hemisphere!) and thus the exact 'recipe' of viral particles being in flux, but that doesn't translate to the vaccine missing some mark in terms of testing standards. Unless I've missed something in my education (definitely possible!).
ETA: Another plug for "On Immunity" by Eula Biss! It's a great read, with history, science (plenty of science) and personal mama experience woven throughout.
To be fair it probably has been tested enough now, but at this point I've had so many different strains of influenza that i don't think the vaccine would help anymore, I will be giving birth right before flu season though so I may reconsider my stance.
It was more that when it was released it hadn't gone through the rigorous testing that other vaccines have had to go through (from memory it was only 12 months as opposed to 3yrs but don't quote me on that, I'm no expert) just look at the fact they had now removed the nasal spray option (it contained live virus) it more comes down to other vaccines have to go through 3 years of testing every time they change it for a new strain, but the flu vaccine only has a max of 12 months testing.
as as I said though I am not completely opposed to it and will more than likely do more research on it before it becomes available in mid-April. I am however booked in for my TDAP in 2 weeks.
@WombThereItIs I have just seen your UO, and you may judge away lol, if you/anyone else has any good websites etc on why I should get it I am completely open to reading any of it! I am not a heathen that is totally opposed I've just never had a reason to get it
Me - 22 | DH - 32 | Married - 24 May 2014 DS - January 2014
TTC#2 - December 2015
BFP - 6 March 2016 | MC Confirmed - 21 March 2016 TTCAL | April 2016 CP | June 2016 CP | July 2016
Are you pro or anti vax? Pro, duh. Do you have any exceptions? Medical and allergy Do you think vaccines should be required by law in order for children to attend school? Yes, unless there are legit medical reasons why they can't. Will you let your children play with non vaccinated children? I hadn't thought about this, but I'm obviously not going to be asking people this. My SIL kids all get vaccinated so I'm good for now.
@PartiallyDomesticated It certainly has an abbreviated timeline for production and testing but the underlying process hasn't changed significantly over the last 50 years. The CDC has a pretty great website devoted to the flu vaccine and where the direction of research with vaccine development is going (trying to get away from egg-based prep and also working towards a more "universal" vaccine). Regarding the flu mist - it wasn't discontinued as a recommended version of the vaccine because it's live ... it just had such low efficacy that the CDC didn't feel it was justifiable as a public health intervention this year. Also, with influenza strains --- the tricky part about viruses is that they are always changing. That's why the global system of surveillance (and targeted vaccine production) is so incredibly important. Influenza in particular is such a rapidly changing entity by its nature as a highly contagious bug (viral replication, which requires some participation by a host, is itself a means by which a virus has a high chance of making significant changes to its genetic code). I'm no expert either, just fascinated by these bugs and how we somewhat pitifully attempt to control them.
@mdlorenz I will look at the CDC site thanks! I didn't know why the mist had been discontinued, again not something I've really looked into. I will say that I am seriously considering getting it when it becomes available simply because until now I've never had a reason to need it, I haven't been around "vulnerable persons" in flu season since it became available, but yeah, going to have a newborn right before flu season is making me seriously reconsider my stance. H is firmly against "paying for someone to stab me" so convincing him could be fun.
Me - 22 | DH - 32 | Married - 24 May 2014 DS - January 2014
TTC#2 - December 2015
BFP - 6 March 2016 | MC Confirmed - 21 March 2016 TTCAL | April 2016 CP | June 2016 CP | July 2016
@ShadeofGreen816 LOVE SVU! I have watched every. single. episode. I like L&O CI but only the episodes with Vincent D'Onofrio. Sorry back to our regularly scheduled programming.
Do you have any exceptions? If there are contraindications to a vaccine, sure.
Do you think vaccines should be required by law in order for children to attend school? Yes, but then again I don't feel I have a right to tell people what to do.
Question: Do daycare's typically require vaccinations?
Will you let your children play with non vaccinated children? Unfortunately, this is out of my control. Some of LO's family is unvaccinated.
Anything else? Just thinking about this gets my blood pressure up. I have family members who have not vaccinated their kids simply because they don't think it is necessary. Upon further talks with them they are oblivious to the fact that some of these diseases are still around. I wish people would actually look into solid, scientific research instead of blogs and other crap when needing to make an informed decision. This is so frustrating to me especially since I work in Pharmacy.
However, I am also terrified that I will bring something home from work. I am afraid this will be inevitable.
@nda_roxybabe I believe Jehovah Witnesses don't vax. But I really don't know of any other religion that doesn't. Also, I am basing this knowledge off of a law & order episode, so don't quote me
Actually, JWs do vaccinate. They don't accept blood transfusions. I have a close friend that's JW.
Do you have any exceptions? only legit medical reasons
Do you think vaccines should be required by law in order for children to attend school? Absolutely, unless legit medical reason
Will you let your children play with non vaccinated children? Like everyone else, I'm not going to play 20 questions with the other random parents at the park, but if I know a kid isn't vaccinated we won't be scheduling play dates.
Anything else? I've never questioned vaccines because I didn't take 10+ years of medical training so I trust doctors to tell me what's best. I do find all the data you ladies have dug up fascinating though.
Freakonomics has a really good podcast episode about the flu vaccine - I'll see if I can figure out which one it is.
Are you pro or anti vax? Pro all the way! Gotta get that out there so nobody thinks I'm an anti-vaxxer in hiding
Do you have any exceptions? Medical. I think some people do a modified schedule due to medical reasons as well, such as a family history. That, I completely understand, otherwise, just no.
Do you think vaccines should be required by law in order for children to attend school? Absolutely. Including private schools. The whole religion exemption is BS and even then, they should provide documentations that they are serious followers of whatever religion that do not believe in vaccination. This is such an issue though because those who may not believe in it for religious reasons may feel that it's discrimination (maybe not the right choice of word) yet there are many people out there abusing the power. I don't know if I made sense in that thinking.
Will you let your children play with non vaccinated children? Probably, but not under 1yo obviously since they get most of their important vaccines by 12 months.
Anything else? I agree with everybody else on shingles vaccine. I know some people who got it in their 20s/30s and it's awful from what I've heard!
DD has her 30 months check up next weekend and since we started going to this practice when she turned 2 (after a cross country move), this thread is making me realize I should ask them their stance on a strict vaccination schedule and how pro/anti vax it is around here.
Are you pro or anti vax? as PRO as they come! Do you have any exceptions? no, other then real medical issues like others have said. my DD had an egg allergy and we were still able to do all vaccines, the doc spread them out a little and we had to stay in the office an extra 30 min to watch for reactions, but we still were able to safely get all vacations before she outgrew the allergy!! Do you think vaccines should be required by law in order for children to attend school? Yes, doesn't matter if it's private or public it should be required. Will you let your children play with non vaccinated children? not if I know they are not vaccinated. However we set up most play dates through daycare, which requires vaccinations. So we don't have too much to worry about yet.
Do you have any exceptions? Nope Do you think vaccines should be required by law in order for children to attend school? For public schools, absolutely (with medical exceptions)! Will you let your children play with non vaccinated children? Our little human is only 21 months old, so the majority of his playing is done with kids of friends and family, but I ask all of them (along with the "do you have guns, and if so, where/how do you store them?" question.) If they are intentionally not vaccinating them for reasons other than medical, no hanging out for us, and I'm completely upfront about it. We have a few friends with kiddos with compromised immune systems who cannot vaccinate, so I'm hyper-vigilant about it right now. We also have a pediatrician (and office) and daycare that require vaccines on a non-delayed schedule, which was a deal breaker for us.
I really am amazed that we only have a few people who aren't 100% sure about a couple of specific vaccines, I am assuming the anti-vaxxers are being smart and staying quiet, but it's really great to see (also a little disappointing because I enjoy a decent internet argument way to much!)
Me - 22 | DH - 32 | Married - 24 May 2014 DS - January 2014
TTC#2 - December 2015
BFP - 6 March 2016 | MC Confirmed - 21 March 2016 TTCAL | April 2016 CP | June 2016 CP | July 2016
@nda_roxybabe I believe Jehovah Witnesses don't vax. But I really don't know of any other religion that doesn't. Also, I am basing this knowledge off of a law & order episode, so don't quote me
Actually, JWs do vaccinate. They don't accept blood transfusions. I have a close friend that's JW.
Do you think vaccines should be required by law in order for children to attend school? Yes. I think private schools should too. They shouldn't be able to pick with it comes to herd immunity.
Will you let your children play with non vaccinated children? If I know, probably not, especially when they're young. I'm not going to ask people though.
May Siggy Challenge: Labor Memes
Me:31 DH:32 Married 11/06/10 DD: Born 8/23/13 (clomid+ovidrel+IUI) BFP 9/9/16 EDD 5/19/17
Very pro vaccines! We even paid OOP for my parents to get TDAPs when the twins were born.
No real exceptions that haven't been mentioned.
Hell yes vaccines should be required for school, unless there's a medical reason, "religious reasons" are typically bull shit.
If I know a child isn't vaccinated or on a delayed schedule I avoid play dates where those parents will be there. I'm also not going to go around asking for vaccine records though.
I just want to add that I've seen a few people mention "delayed vaccine schedule" do you mean people who purposefully choose to delay vaccines, or those who for a medical reason (such as the child being unwell at the time it should've been given, or even a change of opinion) and are on a "catch up schedule"? Or both?
Me - 22 | DH - 32 | Married - 24 May 2014 DS - January 2014
TTC#2 - December 2015
BFP - 6 March 2016 | MC Confirmed - 21 March 2016 TTCAL | April 2016 CP | June 2016 CP | July 2016
I just want to add that I've seen a few people mention "delayed vaccine schedule" do you mean people who purposefully choose to delay vaccines, or those who for a medical reason (such as the child being unwell at the time it should've been given, or even a change of opinion) and are on a "catch up schedule"? Or both?
The one mom I know that does a delayed schedule refuses to allow more than 1 vaccine at a time and places a couple months in between doses, and even then she will refuse certain ones (MMR).
I just want to add that I've seen a few people mention "delayed vaccine schedule" do you mean people who purposefully choose to delay vaccines, or those who for a medical reason (such as the child being unwell at the time it should've been given, or even a change of opinion) and are on a "catch up schedule"? Or both?
Delaying because of missed appointments or the child is sick is not an issue with me, I get it. Although I totally side-eye my SIL who is multiple visits behind on her 2yr olds vaccines because she just "doesn't have time". In this case though the pediatrician is aware of it and although they are "delayed" it's the same dosage/schedule the CDC recommends.
My main concern is with the parents who choose to only do 1 vaccine at a time because they don't like their child being injected with all those drugs at once, or it's cruel to get three pokes at one time! So they make up their own schedule to follow.
Married 03.09.09 Sweet Baby H 12.21.11 Sassy Baby P 03.26.14 Little Brother Due 05.22.17
Are you pro or anti vax? Very very very very pro. Do you have any exceptions? Medical only. 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? Within reason and not with an unvaccinated newborn around. This is actually a huge issue since my area is one of the highest for non-vaccinated children. We ended up getting DS2 his first dose of MMR at eight months old due to a measles outbreak.
Anything else? We usually only do two vaccinations per visit (at a pro-vax pedi who doesn't allow no-vax families in his practice), but I'm pretty sure that's still entirely on the CDC schedule. There's a range on a lot of the vaccinations that encompasses several different well baby visits.
Feb 2012: DS1 born 40w2d, 7 lb 11 oz, 20" May 2014: DS2 born 40w3d, 10 lb, 23"
Are you pro or anti vax? Very pro! (Sorry I'm not adding to the drama )
Do you have any exceptions? Only legit medical ones approved/recommended by pro-vax doctors (see my own example below) 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? Wouldn't ask, but would try to avoid if I knew about it. (Suddenly worried about a close family member that I'm guessing could be anti-vax...) Anything else? Like @RainyDays86, I can sort of almost maybe see where some people are coming from when they have concerns (even though I strongly disagree with the decision not to vaccinate). Just like anything else, vaccines can have side effects. In fact, like @JCWhitey, I had a vaccine injury/reaction when I was younger; I'm totally fine now, but I had a strong neurological reaction and had to re-learn to walk at age four. But I know that this was a rare case and the risks of not vaccinating FAR FAR FAR outweigh the risks of the vaccines themselves, and you can bet that my kids will be getting them all (though I'm sure I'll be watching on pins and needles to make sure they're doing okay afterwards--as most of us probably will be doing anyways!). I don't get the one that I had the reaction to at the recommendation of my doctor and it scares me a bit for LO's sake, but I'm going to make sure that everyone else in the family gets it. I've toyed with the idea of just getting it since it was probably a fluke, but my OB didn't recommend it during pregnancy. So we'll see...
Long story short: Sh!t does happen, but science! Statistics! Get vaccinated! Though it doesn't sound like anyone on here needs convincing
I just want to add that I've seen a few people mention "delayed vaccine schedule" do you mean people who purposefully choose to delay vaccines, or those who for a medical reason (such as the child being unwell at the time it should've been given, or even a change of opinion) and are on a "catch up schedule"? Or both?
Delaying because of missed appointments or the child is sick is not an issue with me, I get it. Although I totally side-eye my SIL who is multiple visits behind on her 2yr olds vaccines because she just "doesn't have time". In this case though the pediatrician is aware of it and although they are "delayed" it's the same dosage/schedule the CDC recommends.
My main concern is with the parents who choose to only do 1 vaccine at a time because they don't like their child being injected with all those drugs at once, or it's cruel to get three pokes at one time! So they make up their own schedule to follow.
A tiny little 3-month-old or 6-month-old doesn't see the needles coming, so they don't tense up ahead of time and the injections go more smoothly, and honestly my LO cried only after like 5 or 10 seconds had passed after the shot. Parents who think it's cruel to get three pokes at once are dealing with their own personal issues about whether they'd want three pokes at once. A little one doesn't know any better. I suppose this might come across as cold-hearted, but I remember quite vividly the nurses at the ped's office talking more about how I can manage my own reaction during his injections. Plus, it's over quickly. Plus, some shots do hurt worse than others, and they do the big ones last, they aren't stupid. Let them do their jobs without having to manage the parents.
Are you pro or anti vax? Pro! Pro! Pro! Do you have any exceptions? Medical. According to my Dr at the time, I was outside of the age bracket for the HPV vaccine by the time it became available. Do you think vaccines should be required by law in order for children to attend school? Yep. Will you let your children play with non vaccinated children?I'd try to avoid it even if my kid was vaccinated. If it turns out my kid can't get vaccines for medical reasons, I definitely would not let him/her play with non vaccinated kids. Does that make sense?
Is there really a vaccination for chicken pox now?
I'm really bad at tracking my own vaccination schedule. I've moved around a lot in recent years and had a slew of different doctors. I'm really good about rabies shots for my cat though, so hopefully that bodes well for the LO.
Anything else? Like @RainyDays86, I can sort of almost maybe see where some people are coming from when they have concerns (even though I strongly disagree with the decision not to vaccinate). Just like anything else, vaccines can have side effects. In fact, like @JCWhitey, I had a vaccine injury/reaction when I was younger; I'm totally fine now, but I had a strong neurological reaction and had to re-learn to walk at age four. But I know that this was a rare case and the risks of not vaccinating FAR FAR FAR outweigh the risks of the vaccines themselves, and you can bet that my kids will be getting them all (though I'm sure I'll be watching on pins and needles to make sure they're doing okay afterwards--as most of us probably will be doing anyways!). I don't get the one that I had the reaction to at the recommendation of my doctor and it scares me a bit for LO's sake, but I'm going to make sure that everyone else in the family gets it. I've toyed with the idea of just getting it since it was probably a fluke, but my OB didn't recommend it during pregnancy. So we'll see...
Long story short: Sh!t does happen, but science! Statistics! Get vaccinated! Though it doesn't sound like anyone on here needs convincing
@L1C4gal: I'm also curious about what would happen if you got the booster nowadays. Erring on the side of supreme caution, maybe you could get it at a hospital(?), so you're in the presence of people that could immediately help, if help were needed. I also wonder if the formulation/preparation of the vaccines are different enough from 20 years ago that you'd not have a repeat reaction. Furthermore, as an adult, we process things so differently in our bodies that even the change in body mass alone probably would be another factor in how your body handles its reaction. In any case, I'm personally proud of you for having gone through such an ordeal and still following current medical protocol and getting your kids taken care of. It might be especially tough for you to watch. So props to you!
Re: The great vaccine thread
ETA: Another plug for "On Immunity" by Eula Biss! It's a great read, with history, science (plenty of science) and personal mama experience woven throughout.
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Do you have any exceptions? Medical. The end.
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? Someone who is all like OMG VACCINES KILL. No. But as others said, I am not going to ask.
@nda_roxybabe I believe Jehovah Witnesses don't vax. But I really don't know of any other religion that doesn't. Also, I am basing this knowledge off of a law & order episode, so don't quote me.
I am super surprised that there are no anti-vax Mom's here.
Also agree that delayed vax is dumb. I actually heard that there is more of a "risk" because like PP said, there hasn't been enough studies/research on a delayed vax schedule.
Do you have any exceptions? For me, as an adult, I did not begin getting the flu shot until my graduate program when I had an internship at the hospital and it was required. I've gotten it most years since then and will continue. The kids get flu (along w the regularly scheduled vaccines).
Do you think vaccines should be required by law in order for children to attend school? I think there will always be "the exception" but in general I do believe children should be vaccinated
Will you let your children play with non vaccinated children? This is a hard one for us, as 11yr old DD's best friend is non-vax. They have been friends for years and just this year she told DD that she doesn't get "shots". I was very taken aback and DH and I decided to talk with DD and basically it comes down to the friend doesn't come around DS2 and won't be around DD2/3. It's very tricky.
Anything else? DS1 and DD1 have had the guardisil series. We left it up to them after doing research as as a family. They both decided it was best for their protection. DS1 doesn't get a flu shot ever but DD1 always gets a flu shot. I'm pretty strong with "your body your choices" but always help provide research and info for them to be as informed in their decisions as can be
Do you have any exceptions? My daughter has an egg allergy and our pedi has advised against her getting the flu shot. That's all.
Do you think vaccines should be required by law in order for children to attend school? I'm torn on this because there should be religious and health exceptions, but parents should have to receive education if they decline.
Will you let your children play with non vaccinated children? Sure, they're vaccinated and have no immune disorders, so non vaxxed children don't worry me.
Anything else? I actually had a "vaccine injury" (I hate that phrase, it was a REACTION, but whatever). And my brother had such a bad to reaction he almost died. I'm still pro vaccines. I still vaccinate my kids and my brother does, too. We are both just fine now with no lasting affects of our reactions and the thing we both reacted to are no longer concerns. My kids have always done just fine with theirs.
And my biggest reason for vaccinating my kids is because I don't want them to live in a bubble. I want them to travel and to see the world. I want them to go places where some of these diseases are still prevalent and these vaccines are required for travel. Or join the military if they want to without having to jam a lifetime of vaccines into a few days. So I do this assuming my kids won't live their wholes lives exclusively in our mostly disease free community.
B born 7/15/13, C born 3/2/15, #3 on the way May '17
I’m a modern man, a man for the millennium. Digital and smoke free. A diversified multi-cultural, post-modern deconstruction that is anatomically and ecologically incorrect. I’ve been up linked and downloaded, I’ve been inputted and outsourced, I know the upside of downsizing, I know the downside of upgrading. I’m a high-tech low-life. A cutting edge, state-of-the-art bi-coastal multi-tasker and I can give you a gigabyte in a nanosecond! I’m new wave, but I’m old school and my inner child is outward bound. I’m a hot-wired, heat seeking, warm-hearted cool customer, voice activated and bio-degradable. I interface with my database, my database is in cyberspace, so I’m interactive, I’m hyperactive and from time to time I’m radioactive.
"A day without laughter is a day wasted." ~Charlie Chaplin
Do you have any exceptions? I don't know if I am totally on board with Gardasil - Luckily, I have a while to decide on that one
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'm not likely to interrogate before playdates, but if I knew someone were anti-vax I would probably hesitate.
Anything else? This may be the most controversial thing that's been said so far... Hold onto your seats! (Disclaimer: Like I've answered above, I am PRO-VAX! When looking for a Ped for DS, if an office's website said anything about optional vaccines or alternative schedules, I crossed them of my list. See, I'm with you guys!) BUT... In the back of my mind, I do think sometimes... What if??? Obviously it's not a loud enough voice to make me change my mind, but I do wonder if we'll all be singing a different tune in 10? 20? 50? years after much more research has been done. I guess only time will tell. (Don't kick me out, PLEASE!)
Do you have any exceptions? Medical only
Do you think vaccines should be required by law in order for children to attend school? Yes, unless the child can't for medical reasons.
Will you let your children play with non vaccinated children? Well, I probably wouldn't ask. Hopefully they'd be safe because they'll have their vaccines.
Married: October 2014
Began TTC: April 2015
BFP #1: 9/18/15. EDD 5/18/16. MC 10/26/15. (9w)
BFP #2: 2/27/16. EDD 11/7/16. MC/D&E 4/20/16 (11w)
BFP #3: 9/22/16. EDD 5/29/17. DS born 4/24/17
BFP #4: 5/20/18. EDD 1/23/19.
https://www.whyimmunize.org/what-religions-actually-state-about-vaccines/
So... the Dutch Reformed Church and maybe kind of Scientology.
but I think that a lot of people choose their own understanding of their religion rather than actually researching what their religion's position is on things.
Are you pro or anti vax? Very Pro!
Do you have any exceptions? I'm OK with legitimate medical objections. I think sometimes there are people who blow minor reactions (fever, malaise, etc) and try to pass them off as real exemptions. Obviously legitimate medical reactions get a pass. Which makes it even more important for everyone else who CAN be vaccinated, get vaccinated to protect these people! I think religious exemption is basically a bunch of crap. I'm all for religious freedom, but I don't understand this, and I know theres only a very select 1-2 religions that actually object. I kinda feel like people should provide some sort of actual proof that they subscribe to and actively participate in that religion.
Do you think vaccines should be required by law in order for children to attend school? Duh.
Will you let your children play with non vaccinated children? I'm in the camp that won't be asking, but if something happens and my child has to miss a vaccine etc, then I'll definitely make a point to know what they're getting into.
Do you have any exceptions? Honestly, none that I can think of. I guess for a valid medical reason?
Do you think vaccines should be required by law in order for children to attend school? Yes! And I think those who check the "religious reason" box should be required to provide some kind of documentation that explains how it is against their religion. Maybe that is a requirement for all I know.
Will you allow your children to play with non vaccinated children? Like most other people, I don't think I'll be asking parents about vaccinations, but if I happen to know that a particular kid isn't vaccinated, I may think twice.
It was more that when it was released it hadn't gone through the rigorous testing that other vaccines have had to go through (from memory it was only 12 months as opposed to 3yrs but don't quote me on that, I'm no expert) just look at the fact they had now removed the nasal spray option (it contained live virus) it more comes down to other vaccines have to go through 3 years of testing every time they change it for a new strain, but the flu vaccine only has a max of 12 months testing.
as as I said though I am not completely opposed to it and will more than likely do more research on it before it becomes available in mid-April. I am however booked in for my TDAP in 2 weeks.
@WombThereItIs I have just seen your UO, and you may judge away lol, if you/anyone else has any good websites etc on why I should get it I am completely open to reading any of it! I am not a heathen that is totally opposed I've just never had a reason to get it
DS - January 2014
TTCAL | April 2016
CP | June 2016
CP | July 2016
Do you have any exceptions? Medical and allergy
Do you think vaccines should be required by law in order for children to attend school? Yes, unless there are legit medical reasons why they can't.
Will you let your children play with non vaccinated children? I hadn't thought about this, but I'm obviously not going to be asking people this. My SIL kids all get vaccinated so I'm good for now.
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I will say that I am seriously considering getting it when it becomes available simply because until now I've never had a reason to need it, I haven't been around "vulnerable persons" in flu season since it became available, but yeah, going to have a newborn right before flu season is making me seriously reconsider my stance. H is firmly against "paying for someone to stab me" so convincing him could be fun.
DS - January 2014
TTCAL | April 2016
CP | June 2016
CP | July 2016
DS2 5/17
#3 Due 9/20
Do you have any exceptions? If there are contraindications to a vaccine, sure.
Do you think vaccines should be required by law in order for children to attend school? Yes, but then again I don't feel I have a right to tell people what to do.
Question: Do daycare's typically require vaccinations?
Will you let your children play with non vaccinated children? Unfortunately, this is out of my control. Some of LO's family is unvaccinated.
Anything else? Just thinking about this gets my blood pressure up. I have family members who have not vaccinated their kids simply because they don't think it is necessary. Upon further talks with them they are oblivious to the fact that some of these diseases are still around. I wish people would actually look into solid, scientific research instead of blogs and other crap when needing to make an informed decision. This is so frustrating to me especially since I work in Pharmacy.
However, I am also terrified that I will bring something home from work. I am afraid this will be inevitable.
A couple of good resources are the CDC and https://redbook.solutions.aap.org/ for peds for info on vaccines. Also, vaccine schedule https://redbook.solutions.aap.org/SS/Immunization_Schedules.aspx I'm really glad that everyone so far is on board with vaccinations. But, we do have a great BMB so I'm not surprised!
ETA: vaccine schedule link.
May17 Siggy Challenge
Labor
Do you have any exceptions? only legit medical reasons
Do you think vaccines should be required by law in order for children to attend school? Absolutely, unless legit medical reason
Will you let your children play with non vaccinated children? Like everyone else, I'm not going to play 20 questions with the other random parents at the park, but if I know a kid isn't vaccinated we won't be scheduling play dates.
Anything else? I've never questioned vaccines because I didn't take 10+ years of medical training so I trust doctors to tell me what's best. I do find all the data you ladies have dug up fascinating though.
Freakonomics has a really good podcast episode about the flu vaccine - I'll see if I can figure out which one it is.
Do you have any exceptions? Medical. I think some people do a modified schedule due to medical reasons as well, such as a family history. That, I completely understand, otherwise, just no.
Do you think vaccines should be required by law in order for children to attend school? Absolutely. Including private schools. The whole religion exemption is BS and even then, they should provide documentations that they are serious followers of whatever religion that do not believe in vaccination. This is such an issue though because those who may not believe in it for religious reasons may feel that it's discrimination (maybe not the right choice of word) yet there are many people out there abusing the power. I don't know if I made sense in that thinking.
Will you let your children play with non vaccinated children? Probably, but not under 1yo obviously since they get most of their important vaccines by 12 months.
Anything else? I agree with everybody else on shingles vaccine. I know some people who got it in their 20s/30s and it's awful from what I've heard!
DD has her 30 months check up next weekend and since we started going to this practice when she turned 2 (after a cross country move), this thread is making me realize I should ask them their stance on a strict vaccination schedule and how pro/anti vax it is around here.
Do you have any exceptions? no, other then real medical issues like others have said. my DD had an egg allergy and we were still able to do all vaccines, the doc spread them out a little and we had to stay in the office an extra 30 min to watch for reactions, but we still were able to safely get all vacations before she outgrew the allergy!!
Do you think vaccines should be required by law in order for children to attend school? Yes, doesn't matter if it's private or public it should be required.
Will you let your children play with non vaccinated children? not if I know they are not vaccinated. However we set up most play dates through daycare, which requires vaccinations. So we don't have too much to worry about yet.
Anything else?
Do you have any exceptions? Nope
Do you think vaccines should be required by law in order for children to attend school? For public schools, absolutely (with medical exceptions)!
Will you let your children play with non vaccinated children? Our little human is only 21 months old, so the majority of his playing is done with kids of friends and family, but I ask all of them (along with the "do you have guns, and if so, where/how do you store them?" question.) If they are intentionally not vaccinating them for reasons other than medical, no hanging out for us, and I'm completely upfront about it. We have a few friends with kiddos with compromised immune systems who cannot vaccinate, so I'm hyper-vigilant about it right now. We also have a pediatrician (and office) and daycare that require vaccines on a non-delayed schedule, which was a deal breaker for us.
DS - January 2014
TTCAL | April 2016
CP | June 2016
CP | July 2016
Sweet Baby H 12.21.11
Sassy Baby P 03.26.14
Little Brother Due 05.22.17
Do you have any exceptions? Medical or Allergies
Do you think vaccines should be required by law in order for children to attend school? Yes. I think private schools should too. They shouldn't be able to pick with it comes to herd immunity.
Will you let your children play with non vaccinated children? If I know, probably not, especially when they're young. I'm not going to ask people though.
Me:31 DH:32 Married 11/06/10
DD: Born 8/23/13 (clomid+ovidrel+IUI)
BFP 9/9/16 EDD 5/19/17
Very pro vaccines! We even paid OOP for my parents to get TDAPs when the twins were born.
No real exceptions that haven't been mentioned.
Hell yes vaccines should be required for school, unless there's a medical reason, "religious reasons" are typically bull shit.
If I know a child isn't vaccinated or on a delayed schedule I avoid play dates where those parents will be there. I'm also not going to go around asking for vaccine records though.
1/7/2015 Twins born @ 34 weeks
DS - January 2014
TTCAL | April 2016
CP | June 2016
CP | July 2016
1/7/2015 Twins born @ 34 weeks
My main concern is with the parents who choose to only do 1 vaccine at a time because they don't like their child being injected with all those drugs at once, or it's cruel to get three pokes at one time! So they make up their own schedule to follow.
Sweet Baby H 12.21.11
Sassy Baby P 03.26.14
Little Brother Due 05.22.17
Do you have any exceptions? Medical only.
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? Within reason and not with an unvaccinated newborn around. This is actually a huge issue since my area is one of the highest for non-vaccinated children. We ended up getting DS2 his first dose of MMR at eight months old due to a measles outbreak.
Anything else? We usually only do two vaccinations per visit (at a pro-vax pedi who doesn't allow no-vax families in his practice), but I'm pretty sure that's still entirely on the CDC schedule. There's a range on a lot of the vaccinations that encompasses several different well baby visits.
May 2014: DS2 born 40w3d, 10 lb, 23"
Due May 2017 with DD1!
Do you have any exceptions? Only legit medical ones approved/recommended by pro-vax doctors (see my own example below)
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? Wouldn't ask, but would try to avoid if I knew about it. (Suddenly worried about a close family member that I'm guessing could be anti-vax...)
Anything else? Like @RainyDays86, I can sort of almost maybe see where some people are coming from when they have concerns (even though I strongly disagree with the decision not to vaccinate). Just like anything else, vaccines can have side effects. In fact, like @JCWhitey, I had a vaccine injury/reaction when I was younger; I'm totally fine now, but I had a strong neurological reaction and had to re-learn to walk at age four. But I know that this was a rare case and the risks of not vaccinating FAR FAR FAR outweigh the risks of the vaccines themselves, and you can bet that my kids will be getting them all (though I'm sure I'll be watching on pins and needles to make sure they're doing okay afterwards--as most of us probably will be doing anyways!). I don't get the one that I had the reaction to at the recommendation of my doctor and it scares me a bit for LO's sake, but I'm going to make sure that everyone else in the family gets it. I've toyed with the idea of just getting it since it was probably a fluke, but my OB didn't recommend it during pregnancy. So we'll see...
Long story short: Sh!t does happen, but science! Statistics! Get vaccinated! Though it doesn't sound like anyone on here needs convincing
A tiny little 3-month-old or 6-month-old doesn't see the needles coming, so they don't tense up ahead of time and the injections go more smoothly, and honestly my LO cried only after like 5 or 10 seconds had passed after the shot. Parents who think it's cruel to get three pokes at once are dealing with their own personal issues about whether they'd want three pokes at once. A little one doesn't know any better. I suppose this might come across as cold-hearted, but I remember quite vividly the nurses at the ped's office talking more about how I can manage my own reaction during his injections. Plus, it's over quickly. Plus, some shots do hurt worse than others, and they do the big ones last, they aren't stupid. Let them do their jobs without having to manage the parents.
Are you pro or anti vax? Pro! Pro! Pro!
Do you have any exceptions? Medical. According to my Dr at the time, I was outside of the age bracket for the HPV vaccine by the time it became available.
Do you think vaccines should be required by law in order for children to attend school? Yep.
Will you let your children play with non vaccinated children? I'd try to avoid it even if my kid was vaccinated. If it turns out my kid can't get vaccines for medical reasons, I definitely would not let him/her play with non vaccinated kids. Does that make sense?
Is there really a vaccination for chicken pox now?
I'm really bad at tracking my own vaccination schedule. I've moved around a lot in recent years and had a slew of different doctors. I'm really good about rabies shots for my cat though, so hopefully that bodes well for the LO.