Toddlers: 12 - 24 Months

Unbiased vaccnine information

Hi there,

 

I'm a FTM to a happy, healthy 14 month old. She was breastfed until her first birthday. She has been incredibly healthy, with the exception a mild case of rosiola a few months ago. She was on schedule with all her shots up until 6 months when I started doing more research on vaccines. I have read Dr. Sears' The Vaccine Book. I like that, as a pediatrician, he gives you all the information of what is in each vaccine, as well as a delayed schedule if you do decide to continue with vaccines.

I, along with my husband, are honestly having a hard time making up our minds because it is so difficult to find honest, unbiased info. Some will say you are putting all other children at risk for not getting vaccines. Well, that's not true. Many vaccinated children get ill. Our daughter has stayed home with me this year, so her immune system never became overwhelmed with sickness and viruses contracted from day cares. Also, others will say all vaccines are dangerous and horrible. I don't know that I believe that either.

I know that I do not feel good about her getting the MMR because there are very valid arguments that parents have about the possible connection to autism. Say what you will about research, I find it very odd that so many children began showing autism spectrum disorder signs right after they received their MMR. I also don't feel right about the polio vaccine because the last recorded case was so long ago. Why put that stuff in her body? Also, the HPV vaccine seems ridiculous to me. But that's just me.

I don't think vaccines are completely useless. I think they have their place. But I don't trust the greed of the multi-million dollar industry and I think too many pediatricians are not educated well in answering parent's legitimate concerns and questions regarding HOW MANY vaccines children are receiving now.

Also, I didn't want to give her the chicken pox vaccine because I got it as a kid and did just fine building up an immunity. The problem is though, who will she get it from if all of her friends/classmates will be getting the vaccine? How will she contract it naturally and build up the anti-bodies needed to build immunity?

I don't want to start a vaccine debate, so please be respectful, and avoid general statements by saying "you should do this" or "families should do that". It's a very personal decisions.

Re: Unbiased vaccnine information

  • Loading the player...
  • I guess I should have followed up with my last question. Does anyone have any unbiased vaccine information?
  • I have a couple of thoughts on this topic.  As far the MMR vaccine and autism.  The study that connected the two of those was debunked last year.  The doctor fixed the results to make it look like there was a connection when there wasn't one.  All of the other people on that study have requested that their names be taken off it, as they don't want to be linked with an untruth.  Autism generally starts to show signs around the same age as children are when they get the MMR.  It's a coincidence, not a correlation.  I think a lot parents are looking for any answer when they get the autism diagnosis and that's an easy one, but it's not proven to be true at all.

    As far as chicken pox goes, the deal is that with all the vaccines and new medications, the disease is getting stronger.  The chicken pox of today is a more virulent form than what we got as kids (as I, too, survived it just fine as a child).  The people she would get it from are other children who aren't vaccinated, or adults who never got vaccinated because it wasn't common when they were young. 

    As far as any other vaccines, definitely get the tetanus one.  That disease is way worse than any possible side effects and it's the one I feel most strongly about LO getting.  For what it's worth, my 15 month old has gotten all of her vaccines on the "normal" schedule and is fine.  She still got colds all winter from daycare, but nothing beyond that.  My niece got all of her vaccines as well and is a happy, healthy 7 year old.  For every parent who will tell you what I did, you'll find another who says that their child suffered horrible side effects, or got sick anyway.  Go with your gut.  I personally believe that all children should get all vaccinations, whether it be a regular or delayed schedule. 

    Hope this helps!

    Married DH 7/30/11

    CSC arrived 5/7/12 

    CHC arrived 6/2/14

  • Also, I don't think anyone who has children already can give you an unbiased opinion. 

    Married DH 7/30/11

    CSC arrived 5/7/12 

    CHC arrived 6/2/14

  • Have you read about the Hannah Poling case?
  • I just searched and read the Time article.  It says she had an underlying condition that was made worse by the vaccines.  She was not a totally heatlhy child to start, though she obviously seemed that way. It also says that many doctors disagree with the court's decision on this case.  I don't feel as though you can base decisions for your child on one bad experience that a family had with a child who was already compromised.  Is there a connection in her case? Possibly.  Was it the sole cause? Doesn't sound like it.

    Married DH 7/30/11

    CSC arrived 5/7/12 

    CHC arrived 6/2/14

  • Well, here is the other side to polio. That was around the time the first world started to improve water and sewage systems. Better hygiene. Could there not be a link?
  • I don't think it is grasping for straw at all. I think it is very wise to look at why it was eradicated. Because, if in fact, it was not due to the vaccine, then we are unnecessarily putting something in our children that need not be there.
  •  

    ginafun said:
    I don't think it is grasping for straw at all. I think it is very wise to look at why it was eradicated. Because, if in fact, it was not due to the vaccine, then we are unnecessarily putting something in our children that need not be there.

    The problem with that argument is that we can't possibly know the answer unless we stopped vaccinating and open up the possiblity of being wrong and subjecting another generation to this disease.  I, for one, cannot support that possibility.  While they may not need it, if you're theory is true, it's not hurting the majority of the children who get the vaccine, so why not be safe?

    Married DH 7/30/11

    CSC arrived 5/7/12 

    CHC arrived 6/2/14

  • I would recommend speaking with your pediatrician or other health care professionals for an unbiased opinion.  The Bump is a questionable place to come to conduct research on medical issues.
    Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker
  • Right. I wasn't seeking medical advice from other moms. I was asking if anyone had any online resources they would like to share.
  • You do realize, OP, that polio is not globally eradicated, correct?  That means that unvaccinated people who travel to countries where it still exists are highly susceptible and can then bring it back to the US, where it will tear like wild fire through those who chose not to vaccinate, as well as those who are unable to be vaccinated.  Herd immunity.  Do your research.
    Formerly known as elmoali :)

    image
  • Have you tried the CDC's website? There's a lot of good information on vaccines there, as well as some links to other trustworthy sites.
    Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker
  • my husband is a nurse so I was able to read medical books and journals during my pregnancy so I could have all the info I needed when the time came. Our pediatricians are supportive of a delayed schedule, so we were able to do that. We chose to get all the reccommended vaccines so far, including chicken pox, polio, and mmr. We don't have any history of allergic reactions to vaccines in my family so I felt comfortable with this. We also carefully monitored her for signs of an allergic reaction after her vaccines, and knew what to do in case she was showing signs.

    I have two autistic cousins, and I love them dearly. i would rather have an autistic child than no child at all. If my child caught one the diseases she should have been vaccinated for and died, I would never forgive myself. autism is manageable for many families, and many people who have it lead full and happy lives. I think one of the reasons some kids supposedly show symptoms of being on the spectrum is because they receive the mmr so young, around the age that symptoms would first begin to show in an unvaccinated child anyway.

    I will be getting the hpv vaccine for my daughter when she turns 12. Different strains can cause things ranging from infertility to genital warts to cervical cancer. many hpv symptoms do not show in males and doctors do not check for it on blood or physical tests because of this. so your daughters future sexual partners many have it and pass it to her. Even if your daughter is smart and has her partners tested for stds before sleeping with them, since doctors don't check males for hpv it would be a huge risk. And newflash, 80 percent of women have some form of hpv, so how many men do you think have it?

    We chose to do the chicken pox vaccine because it puts you at less risk for having shingles later. Shingles mostly happens in the elderly but it can happent to kids and young adults too. My mom had it twice and it is very painful. So painful that it kills some elderly people who are already weak when they get it. Didn't want that for my daughter either.

    image

    image image Visit The Nest!

    Lilypie Angel and Memorial tickers
    Lilypie Angel and Memorial tickers
    Lilypie Angel and Memorial tickers

    Lilypie Second Birthday tickers
  • It doesn't really sound like you're truly looking for "unbiased" reports because you already seem fairly entrenched in your beliefs.  You had to know posting this question - even under the guise that you're open to information - was going to stir things up.  As a pp suggested - maybe you should check out websites like the CDC or AAP.  But, if you're not willing to accept medical professionals other than Dr. Sears as "unbiased," I think you are going to have a hard time finding what you're looking for.

    Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker
  • ginafun said:
    Well, here is the other side to polio. That was around the time the first world started to improve water and sewage systems. Better hygiene. Could there not be a link?
    Really? The 1950s had poor hygiene? And there were shocking leaps in hygiene between 1952 and 1960 across the US?

    In 1952, there were 57,879 cases of polio in the United States, and 3,145 deaths.
    In 1960, there were 3,190 cases and 230 deaths.
    In 1970, there were 33 cases and 7 deaths.

    Guess what happened in 1955? That was the year the US began widespread polio vaccinations.
    image
  • GeraldoRiveraGeraldoRivera member
    edited August 2013
    ginafun said:
    Right. I wasn't seeking medical advice from other moms. I was asking if anyone had any online resources they would like to share.
    www.vaccinateyourbaby.org
    image
  • The ignorance in the original post makes me want to cry. And Dr. Sears is NOT an unbiased source.
  • @shannm, my best friend's name is Maeve, not a name you see very often!  I love it.  :)

    Married DH 7/30/11

    CSC arrived 5/7/12 

    CHC arrived 6/2/14

  • Actually, Dr. Sears is not anti-vaccine. He is pro-vaccine, as said in his book. I think you are the one who is misinformed.
  • Okay, first of all, being called a "moron" or "dumb" is taking the easy way out. It takes absolutely no intelligence to name call. That's what bullies do.

     

    Second of all, if ANY of you who think Dr. Sears is anti-vaccine had read his book, you would in fact learn that the purpose of his book is to educate parents who are inquiring about what is in each vaccine, the reported side effects to the vaccines as well as the side effects or consequences to contracting the disease that the vaccine is trying to prevent.

    How many of YOU have taken the time to know what you're talking about, or is it just easier to bully when there are others supporting your views? Go read The Vaccine Book before you try to act like you know what you are talking about. I'm done.

    Most of you (except the lady whose husband was a nurse and actually took the time to explain herself) have proven why parents who actually want to learn all sides to an issue feel as though they cannot take it publically. They will be verbally stoned. Good-bye. I'll take my questions elsewhere.

  • As someone who has an advanced science degree, I can tell when Dr. Sears is NOT providing accurate and true information.  Did I read his entire book?  No.  I chose not to consider him a well educated unbiased source of information when I read and heard interviews of him where he was clearly stating things that were NOT scientifically accurate.

    So call me misinformed in terms of Dr. Sears' "stance" but I could run circles around you in terms of the science and facts behind vaccines.

    PP have given you links to excellent sources of information.  I encourage you to read some more.
  • All what I can said is that,you are one of those people who likes to follow others,instead of been responsible for your self, you ask for opinion, and people give it to you. But instead you take it as a bully,and make more excuses and defending dr.sears op. why you just don't stand for your self and if you really make a research do whats best.if you shoice to vaccinate your LO good for you,if you decide not good for you,but don't ask for opinion and get offended about. And one more thing people like you,they just get confuse and end with to much information that made then not to decide whats best.
    Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker
    image
  • This has got to be a joke.  Am I being punk'd?   Where is Ashton?

    image







  • ginafun said:

    I know that I do not feel good about her getting the MMR because there are very valid arguments that parents have about the possible connection to autism. Say what you will about research, I find it very odd that so many children began showing autism spectrum disorder signs right after they received their MMR. 


    Did you get your info on MMR from Jenny McCarthy or something? The guy who wrote that study, Andrew Wakefield, was proved to be a fraud. Note I didn't say Dr. Andrew Wakefield, because he was struck from the register (meaning he lost his license) and barred from ever practising medicine again. The journal the originally published his study retracted it because he falsified the information. That's not something that was done for shits and giggles, that was done because he FAKED it. 

    For the record I delay some of my kid's vaccinations. But you don't sound like you have been researching reputable sources, ie medical journals.  

    Lilypie First Birthday tickers Lilypie Third Birthday tickers 
    VOTE on my Name List
  • I do have thoughts on the MMR thing...As a LCSW I know of MANY parents who described autism-spectrum like symptoms from birth, which does not match with the vaccine causing autism since these shots do not begin until 12-15mnths.  There are many other factors that I believe have not been researched that begins well before vaccines. 
  • I have 3 unvaccinated siblings so that they didnt get autism. 2 of them are autistic. My dad has said that he cant think of the last time my brother has had a bad day. This is extremely personal to me, but autism isnt fucking leprosy. My husband is autistic as well (so obvs Im very biased), but it pisses me off to no end that people think autism is more scary than diphtheria. 

    /cleansing breath releasing that I even had to talk autism in a vax post

    If your idea of pedi is a money-grubbing quack pushing poisons on your child, you need to find a better pedi.

    And also, google=/=research
    image
  • This measles outbreak just happened recently in our area:

    https://www.wfaa.com/news/health/tarrant-county-measles-shot-immunization-220240121.html

     

    I'm glad I vaccinated our LO b/c people (even in my own family) travel in and out of this country to unvaccinated areas of the world.  Your child will not only come in contact with vaccinated individuals in their lifetime, so we have to protect them as best we can.  I was nervous also about vaccines just due to general reactions that have occurred in our family, not autism, but rashes that put my niece in the hospital.  Now that we are having an outbreak I am glad I got her vaccinated.

    I also know 3 adults that suffer from shingles, which you get if you had chicken pox as a child.  They are miserable and in pain, so I chose to vaccinate her for that also. 

    I am a medical professional, so I have seen vaccine reactions, but I have also seen death from preventable diseases... such as tetanus.  That is my professional and personal argument for vaccines.  Good luck.

This discussion has been closed.
Choose Another Board
Search Boards
"
"