POTD: Vaccinations

bluejeanbabi05

Don't hate me for stealing your poll thunder @carries2018! I love you.

Let's all get a little more cozy. Where do you stand on vaccinations? Discuss your answer after answering the poll. We want to hear all opinions, we're a completely non-judgmental group here. 

bluejeanbabi05

That "No, because of" option is supposed to say "'No, because of <insert reason here>" but I'm obviously an HTML newb.

jessafishy

Yes, because SCIENCE. 

erink7211

We are all about vaccinating but I am legitimately curious about the reasonings for those who don't (other than the Autism "argument"). My SIL/BIL are anti-Vax but they say it's because they're unnatural and not what God intended. That our bodies already have what they need to fight off sicknesses. Because of this they also don't take medications- whether OTC or prescription. 

However two things:
1) They would go through chemo if they were diagnosed with cancer
2) She (SIL) opted to induce both of her kids a week early for absolutely no reason other than she couldn't wait. 

I guess I'm just curious if anyone who holds a similar view could help me understand how someone can pick and choose what is natural vs. what isn't?

monstera13

Okay, I'll play Yes, I'm absolutely vaccinating my child. I don't want him or her to get measles, polio, rubella, and the numerous other diseases that are now preventable. Plus, if I vaccinate my child, I reduce the risk for those children who are unable to vaccinate due to compromised immune systems. It's a public health concern, not just for my child, but for others as well.  

The only paper that claimed to prove vaccinations caused autism has since been refuted, and numerous other research studies since that time have continued to not find any evidence of a causal link. Furthermore, even if they did cause autism (which they don't), I'd rather have the small chance of my child developing autism compared to the chance of him/her dying from a preventable disease. I know people have strong opinions about this issue, but it is one that is actually well-researched and backed by science. 

shan24

I love this poll!  

So far in my province we've had measles, mumps and whooping cough in the last few weeks. Give me ALL the vaccines!!!

beezeee

Yes. While I can understand thinking for yourself and not blindly following recommendations of your pediatrician to an extent, blatantly ignoring their recommendations (assuming your ped. recommends vaccinations, like most) is silly (for lack of a better word). I picked our pediatrician because I trust her, and I think it is ridiculous to believe that she would recommend a particular vaccination for XYZ reason if it was not in my child's best interest. 

I have so many more thoughts on this topic, but I'll leave it at this for now.

migdala

Definitely vaccinating because the cost/benefit seems completely clear to me.  I don't know anything about the delayed schedule option, though - if anyone is doing that I'd love to know why, I've never heard about it before!

shan24

Here's my take. I'm an educated person. SO and I have 4 university degrees between us. You know who knows more about medicine and health than me?  A doctor. I'm all about trusting your gut and getting second opinions. I've asked for second opinions before. But when the entirety of the medical community is telling you to vaccinate, you listen. They aren't in big pharma's pocket. They aren't trying to make a buck by "selling" you a vaccine. They're trying to protect your kids. 

canonmom413

Yes! Because I'd rather my kids Not be the source of a polio outbreak. AndPlusAlso I did two kids already and they are both super smart, above grade level reading individuals who have not contracted rubella, DTap, etc. 

shan24

@migdala a woman I went to school with did a delayed schedule. The idea is that you aren't "overloading" the child's system with a bunch of vaccines at once. According to my doc, it's completely unnecessary. 

beezeee

@migdala we didn't do the delayed schedule, but I have friends that have (many of whom work in the medical field, FWIW). My understanding is that they spread out the vaccines and/or start some of them later, when baby is a little older. At times, DD has received up to 4 (maybe more) vaccinations at one time. While I'm not aware of the specific benefits to delayed vaccinations, one consideration is that it isn't as hard on the babies because they are spread out more (to be clear, I have no idea whatsoever as to whether that's a valid concern). If you're interested in this option, it is something you can/should discuss with your pediatrician.

VLillyV

I am going to vax my little one because I feel that my child and the world will be a safer place, I especially agree with the science behind keeping my lo out of harms way of big illnesses that could ultimately end their life.

NOW, that is not to say I agree with all vaccinations. For example, the Guardasil vaccine. My LO in her teen years will not be getting that vaccine. I feel that one is pushed by pharma for profit as it only protects against about 4 strains of HPV and there are literally thousands. Most of the strains will clear up on their own but not all will and to be cloaked by a false sense of security is not my deal. I'd rather teach her about safe sex then make her think she's safe for life because of a shot. 

emwj10187

ForwardnBackward

@migdala I think part of the delayed schedule is that you do one vaccine at a time.  Then if a child has a poor reaction to it, you know which one they are having a poor reaction to.  I think that makes some sense, but then they are getting vaccines at every doctor's appointment and I think the child starts to completely associate doctor's visits with shots... and cue meltdowns.

lovehorse77

Oooo I'm insanely passionate about this area (usually I'm more of a "to each his own, more than one right way" sort of mentality). I'll just leave it at yes. We will be vaccinating. On time. (Unless in the unlikely event that my child has a suppressed immune system for some reason). Yes. Yes. Oh hellz yes.

canonmom413

i agree with @VLillyV,  I still am weary about the HPV vaccines. We will not be doing that one. It's a sexual transmitted disease, no reason my 10 year old should be getting that shot. Target age is 9-11. 

tyannej

I'm vaccinating my child because I work in a doctors office that sees newborns up to geriatric age. I've gotten opinions from the doctor and nurse practioner on a personal level and with all of this going around I will be vaccinating the state regulated vaccinations because I feel like there is a reason for them, and although the doctor j do work for will treat non-vaxxers and their children they both believe that children need to be vaccinated. 

I have nothing against non-vaxxers as I have family members that do not vaccinate their kids. To each their own, but it has been proven that children that go to school/daycare that are vaccinated do not get as sick as those kids that are not vaccinated. 

VLillyV

@canonmom413 *waves* seeee, someone else understands! Plus, there's a big difference between a Polio vaccine and an STD vaccine. 

bluejeanbabi05

But what about the mercury????

yasandson

Yes agreed with @shan24. Drs have studied more than us im not about to tell them they know less than I do. 
Andplusalso in Quebec, if your child doesnt get vaccines he wont be accepted in schools (they ask for vaccine proofs) and im not intelligent enough to home school. 

ForwardnBackward

100% vaccinate - flu included.  I make my family be up-to-date too for pertussis and flu if they want to hang around my too-young-to-be-immune kid (ie: before 6 months when the kids can't get flu, and before 2 months before the kiddo has gotten their own first dose of pertussis series).  If measles makes a come back, I will include that too.  

Our kiddos aren't going to be eligible for flu vaccine through the height of flu season which terrifies me, so you bet your ass I'm getting the flu shot while pregnant and hoping nursing works out through the season to pass along some immunity.

My toddler got pertussis at 18 months.  It's AWFUL, and he's lucky he got a mild case because he was up to date on the vaccination series, but the breakout at daycare had the state health department in a tizzy.  And I'm sure it all started with some unvaccinated kiddo somewhere (not even necessarily in our center).  I repeat:  IT WAS AWFUL.

canonmom413

@bluejeanbabi05 meh, they just don't eat tuna to add to it. 

Joking. Of course they eat tuna. 

natleilynn

@VLillyV agreed - I opted out of the HPV as well. DH is the only person I've been sexually active with and at the time (ie, the age range you had to get it) I was married and felt like there wasn't enough research to back up all of the claims. 

DD is up to date on all of her vaccines and this LO will be vaccinated as well. @shan24 pretty much sums me up - I have a master's degree from a major university, but not in any of the medical sciences. That's not my expertise and that's why I go to an expert for advice (ie, doctor). I do my own research as a secondary, but I tend to lean towards a medical expert over my own google research.

beezeee

I'm curious to see what people's thoughts are on "elective" vaccines like the flu shot. I never got the flu shot until I was pregnant. I don't plan to continue getting it myself every year. However, DD had the flu when she was 5.5 months (literally two weeks before her 6 month appt. where she was set to get the shot) and it was HELL. So, she and this LO will be getting it for the foreseeable future. 

shan24

@ForwardnBackward my niece just had pertussis. She's 11 and fully vaccinated but due for a booster.  The docs think that her immunity was low because of needing the booster (given at 12 here).  Because my other niece has cold symptoms, they decided to treat her proactively. The whole family was quarantined for two weeks, until they had completed their round of meds. The girls lost out on two weeks of school and my sister had to take two weeks off work. 

My niece's best friend is unvaccinated. When my sister told the girl's parents, their reaction was basically to shrug and say "oh well"

bluejeanbabi05

@beezeemarie I've never gotten the flu shot before, mostly because I'm lazy. LO will be, though. Should we be getting one now that we're KU? Or in the fall?

monstera13

@canonmom413 and @VLillyV I respect ya'll's opinions on the HPV vaccine, but I do disagree. Here's my two cents: While HPV is a sexually transmitted disease, the vaccine protects against cervical cancer in addition to genital warts. If I have a daughter (I don't know the sex yet), I will definitely have her get the HPV vaccine at that age. Yes, I want to teach her about safe sex and waiting until in a committed relationship before having sex. I hope I can teach her how to make smart choices with her body. But if she messes up (as teenagers often do) and gets HPV or cervical cancer, I would feel bad knowing that could have been prevented. I don't see why we should avoid a vaccine just because the disease is contracted through sex instead of sneezes or other bodily fluids. 

riverrainez

All vaccines, all on time. My kids will also be getting the HPV vaccine. I got infected with HPV from my first partner in my late teens before the vaccine was available, and it was really traumatic -- having to tell my mom, go back for extra pap smears, feel the stigma of having an STD, worry about cervical cancer, etc. Even if the vaccine doesn't protect against all strains, I'll definitely be taking any precautions available to protect my kids and their partners from that experience.

KDeola

jessirh said:

Okay, I'll play Yes, I'm absolutely vaccinating my child. I don't want him or her to get measles, polio, rubella, and the numerous other diseases that are now preventable. Plus, if I vaccinate my child, I reduce the risk for those children who are unable to vaccinate due to compromised immune systems. It's a public health concern, not just for my child, but for others as well.  

The only paper that claimed to prove vaccinations caused autism has since been refuted, and numerous other research studies since that time have continued to not find any evidence of a causal link. Furthermore, even if they did cause autism (which they don't), I'd rather have the small chance of my child developing autism compared to the chance of him/her dying from a preventable disease. I know people have strong opinions about this issue, but it is one that is actually well-researched and backed by science. 

This 100%! This topic always strikes a nerve with me and I take huge issue with parents who act like their choice not to vaccinate only affects their child.  What about the other children who can't?  I know there are a few families I will not be taking my infant around till he/she can be fully vaccinated.  @VLillyV I agree with being cautious about Guardisil, I think there have been many problems associated with that vaccine.  I also wish we weren't vaccinating against chicken pox.   Both of my children have been vaccinated for it at our pediatrician's recommendation, but it really is so mild in young kids and now our kids can get shingles when they are older anyway.  

beezeee

@bluejeanbabi05 at my first OB appointment (which was very early march, I think), my doctor recommended getting it because we were still in "flu season." I have no idea if that's over yet or not, lol. They will also likely do it in the fall, assuming that the vaccine is out before our LOs get here. Last time, mine also gave me the TDAP booster at some point during 3rd tri for the sole purpose of passing some immunities on to DD.

erink7211

@beezeemarie I have never had the flu shot but once and it was also the first year I ever got the flu. Because of that I swore them off for myself but still made sure DS had his. 

But then I had the flu twice this year- both A and B. B nearly put me in the hospital as I was 9 weeks along and had fevers over 103 that wouldn't stay down. 

DS also got both flus this year (a day before me on each) and his symptoms were very mild compared to mine. I will undoubtedly get the flu shot for myself from now on even if there is only a slight chance of having milder symptoms!

canonmom413

I will have to talk more with my OB about the HPV vaccine versus their pediatrician. I just didn't like how every single time I call to make an  appt, the recording while you wait for your answer to be called is forcing you to listen to their BS about it. and not  stating facts. I think my OB/GYN would be a better source. 

jessafishy

Re: Flu Shots

I never used to get one. My freshman year of college I got pneumonia and my doc recommended getting the flu vaccine (and maybe the pneumonia vaccine, is that a thing?) yearly. Of course me being 18 I was all like "Whatev" and didn't get one until I got pregnant with DS.

DS got his at 6 months and both myself and DH got one that year as well. I've gotten mine yearly (we have a free drive through clinic in my county) since. DH really needs to get one yearly as well as he works in a school district and brings whatever crud he encounters there home with him, but he didn't get his this year. 

VLillyV

@jessirh I absolutely respect your thoughts on it too. If the Guardasil vaccine would cover more strains of HPV, I would not be so off-put by it, but for now, I will remain on the "no" side of that one. Regardless, the other vaccines will definitely be in our arsenal. 

ForwardnBackward

@bluejeanbabi05 infants can't get flu vaccine until 6 months. So your LO's best protection is through herd immunity (you, your breast milk, your family, your friends, and caregivers of LO)

The flu season is wrapping up so I don't feel strongly about getting it now for yourself but when the next batch comes out in August/September I'll be first in line.

I've gotten flu shot every year for several years because i work with cancer patients and they need herd immunity more than anyone.  Never once got sick.

mrs_fogue

No argument out of this one.  We vaccinate on time because of all the reasons listed above.  Thanks for saving me on typing that all out. 

Myelhsa

I voted NO because vaccines are dangerous and unnecessary. Feed your babies a healthy diet, free of GMOs and everything will work itself out. Ive heard so many horror stories about vaccines and I'm just not willing to put my baby through that.

You can't see a newborn when you have a cold, why would you inject all those deadly viruses directly into their system?!

ForwardnBackward

@shan24 I'm sorry to hear about your niece!  I slept in DS's nursery while he had it to make sure he didn't cough himself blue in the face or unconscious or cough till he vomited.

bluejeanbabi05

@myelhsa DO GMOS HAVE MERCURY TOO????

tyannej

I'm interested on the take of HPV vaccines. I didn't get them because they just came out and I was like 15 so I didn't need them obviously. I'm definitely going to do more research on them if I find out I'm having a girl!