How do you feel about vaccinations?

acooper222 · May 2015

My SO and I are butting heads about whether or not we are vaccinating our LO. I think some are necessary, and he thinks that we shouldn't at all. How do you feel about vaccinating your LOs?

taahira · May 2015

I would do a lot of research into vacations and the importance of them. Not vacating isn't an option for the health and safety of my baby.

csy2947 · May 2015

For your child, for others' children, for the very young, very old and immunocompromised, for children with allergies that preclude them getting fully vaccinated, please vaccinate your child. All research that has been peer reviewed and rigorously studied tells us vaccination is safe and most certainly does not increase the risk of autism. Thimerasol, a type of mercury your body can process but created fear was removed from all vaccines except multi flu vaccines you get when you are older.

Please don't buy into the fear tactics, please vaccinate your child.

https://www.iflscience.com/health-and-medicine/dear-parents-you-are-being-lied

https://www.voicesforvaccines.org/i-used-to-be-an-anti-vaccine-nurse/ (--very good story of someone who was antivaxx gradually changing their mind

wassuphoes · May 2015

Vaccinate. Unless your child is immunocompromised, there's no good reason not too. (And if your child IS immunocompromised, then you get to worry about other people not vaccinating their kids because parents "don't think they're necessary".)

Kayciejoe56 · May 2015

Working in the autism field, this is something I hear about a lot, from both sides. For my child, I will vaccinate, since I myself have not seen enough evidence, to risk it. However, we will do a modified schedule. While I know my child needs them, there is no reason to overload a small baby with so much. We will spread them out, and eliminate a few less crucial shots. Decreasing the amount of shots each visit helps narrow it down if there is a reaction, and helps baby have time to process before the next round.

I agree with PP that you need to do your own research. Do what you are comfortable with. I will loosely be following dr. sears schedule, but there are lots of alternative schedules out there.

soberrysweet · May 2015

I am pro vax, because I'm a responsible parent and member of society.

sgoodsel · May 2015

Here's a great NOVA episode on vaccines, hopefully it can help with your research.

https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/body/vaccines-calling-shots.html

Peach&Dan · May 2015

My child will be vaccinated without a doubt.

Bigboobsmcgee · May 2015

nofrogs · May 2015

We butted heads over this as well. I wanted vaccines, hubby was influenced by his family and didn't want them. Our compromise was Dr. Sear's delayed schedule. DD is almost fully vaccinated now, but we did skip the rotavirus. Some people really hate the Dr. Sears Vaccine book, but my daughter wouldn't have been vaccinated without it.

I found the CDC website to be really informative as well.

KaLikeAWind · May 2015

Here is the link to the American Academy of Pediatrics webpage on vaccination. Like PP said, please consult a professional about this.
https://www2.aap.org/immunization/

As for myself, I am pro vaccination. So many diseases that used to kill people have been wiped out thanks to vaccination, and are now unfortunately coming back because of people who choose to not vaccinate. The measles outbreak is a prime example. Measles can KILL your child. Every single person who chose to not vaccinate for 'personal beliefs' put every single other child that was too young to be vaccinated or immuno-compromised at risk for DEATH. It is NOT a choice that only affects you and your family. It affects every single other person you come into contact with.

Also, for a funny, here's a video

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=B_hCLWtEHL8

twogirlsandagreen · May 2015

Both of my daughters have gotten every vaccine the pediatrician said they needed and they have never had adverse reactions. One of my best friends has a special needs child (they cannot figure out what is going on with her) and she always had bad reactions to vaccines, so they have chosen not to vaccinate their second child. While I would never feel comfortable with that, I see their side with all they have been through especially knowing their oldest always reacted poorly to them. With children who don't have adverse reactions, there is no reason not to. There is no Mercury by-products in them anymore and the "link" to Autism has been proven false. My grandmother died of polio. Why risk any preventable deadly disease?

Chichigo · May 2015

We vaccinate and have friends that don't. Find a compromise that works for your family.

PrimRoseMama · May 2015

acooper222 said:
My SO and I are butting heads about whether or not we are vaccinating our LO. I think some are necessary, and he thinks that we shouldn't at all. How do you feel about vaccinating your LOs?

I vaccinate on schedule.

I feel that it is irresponsible & poor parenting to skip vaccinations. Delayed schedules are a different story.

abmommy15 · May 2015

Vaccinate. It is the responsible thing to do both for the health of your child and those in society who rely on "herd immunity". The only reason parents of this generation buy into the anti-vax nonsense is because they have never lived in a world where smallpox, polio, measles and mumps were real threats....but if this keeps up then our kids will.

delujm0 · May 2015

We never thought twice about it...we will vaccinate on schedule.

Something to think about...when we visited pediatricians, every office we went to said they wouldn't accept families that refused to vaccinate on a regular or slightly modified schedule as patients. That was a huge plus for us...but if you don't plan to vaccinate you better start looking for a doctor now...it won't be easy to find one.

NoSugarCoating · May 2015

acooper222 said:
My SO and I are butting heads about whether or not we are vaccinating our LO. I think some are necessary, and he thinks that we shouldn't at all. How do you feel about vaccinating your LOs?

All are necessary. Even the chicken pox can be deadly. I would not be willing to parent with someone who is willing to be so reckless with my child's health.

YogaSandy · May 2015

Like a rational person, who believes in science, I believe in vaccines. There is no reason not to vaccinate (other than medical reasons of course). I can't believe people choose this. It is irresponsible. Vaccines save lives. What a fwp. Could you imagine going to a developing nation, where children die of these diseases every day, and saying to a mother of a sick child - yes, we have something that would prevent this and people are choosing not to use it. Seriously?

Also my favourite (can't use sarcasm font as I'm on mobile) argument is "I've done my research and vaccines aren't worth the risk.". Really?! You've done more (and better) research than Health Canada, the FDA and the WHO? Really?

dhimango · May 2015

I think children should absolutely be vaccinated. Diseases have been irradicated for a reason! It is very irresponsible to not vaccinate and put your child and others at risk. I'm thankful that most schools now require it and that "not believing in them" is no longer a valid excuse.

anorthro · May 2015

We will be vaccinating on the recommended schedule.

dchiapella · May 2015

I will vaccinate. Absolutely. No question. I love my baby way too much to put him/ her at risk. Also, because as much as people can be wonderful, good, loving people... you can't really trust all people. So we'll vaccinate to protect our child as well as others and maybe, just maybe, we can help prevent one more sick child in the world.

Peony1982 · May 2015

acooper222 said:
My SO and I are butting heads about whether or not we are vaccinating our LO. I think some are necessary, and he thinks that we shouldn't at all. How do you feel about vaccinating your LOs?

Unless your SO has "M.D." After his name, tell him to suck an egg.

YogaSandy · May 2015

Peony1982 said:

acooper222 said:
My SO and I are butting heads about whether or not we are vaccinating our LO. I think some are necessary, and he thinks that we shouldn't at all. How do you feel about vaccinating your LOs?

Unless your SO has "M.D." After his name, tell him to suck an egg.

Even if he does, tell him the same thing, as more (quantity and qualified) MDs support vaccines.

kaybee03 · May 2015

We are absolutely vaccinating. The measles scare recently is a perfect example of WHY!

morbid007 · May 2015

I know this is against popular opinion, but we have decided against it. We have no problem with people that chose to vaccinate their children, but for us we just don't feel good about it. We would rather give our children's immune system a chance at growing stronger on its own before pumping them full of things we aren't really sure they need. Now don't get me wrong, if they are sick, then we will do everything and give them anything to make them better. But to just give it to them by the off chance they may get sick doesn't make sense to us.

wassuphoes · May 2015

I'm just going to leave this here.

https://thescientificparent.org/learning-the-hard-way-my-journey-from-antivaxx-to-science/

YogaSandy · May 2015

The effectiveness and value of vaccines and herd immunity are not an opinion. It's science.

JNOVA2015 · May 2015

We are absolutely vaccinating on the recommended schedule. IMO, people who don't vaccinate (other than for legitimate medical reasons) are selfish, irresponsible, and reckless.

It's interesting and worth noting that of the 27 people who have responded to this post, only 1 doesn't plan to vaccinate. That's roughly the percentage of Americans who don't vaccinate (3-5%), but it's enough to compromise herd immunity for everyone. You need only look at the recent measles outbreaks to see that.

morbid007 · May 2015

wassuphoes said:
I'm just going to leave this here.

https://thescientificparent.org/learning-the-hard-way-my-journey-from-antivaxx-to-science/

Okay, I read this and I just have an honest question. Not trying to point fingers or anything, I just need clarification! So if I am reading correctly she had children with some vaccinations and some without, and they all got sick?

jenboston22 · May 2015

morbid007 said:

wassuphoes said:
I'm just going to leave this here.

https://thescientificparent.org/learning-the-hard-way-my-journey-from-antivaxx-to-science/

Okay, I read this and I just have an honest question. Not trying to point fingers or anything, I just need clarification! So if I am reading correctly she had children with some vaccinations and some without, and they all got sick?

The ones who received their initial vaccinations did not receive the necessary booster shots and thus their immunity dropped down to nearly 0%. https://thescientificparent.org/with-7-kids-in-recovery-from-whooping-cough-tara-hills-answers-your-questions/

csy2947 · May 2015

morbid007 said:
I know this is against popular opinion, but we have decided against it. We have no problem with people that chose to vaccinate their children, but for us we just don't feel good about it. We would rather give our children's immune system a chance at growing stronger on its own before pumping them full of things we aren't really sure they need. Now don't get me wrong, if they are sick, then we will do everything and give them anything to make them better. But to just give it to them by the off chance they may get sick doesn't make sense to us.

Do you plan to home school?

I only ask because in my opinion there are two big flaws with the parents' choice movement. The first is the lack of the child's autonomy but I understand that is a slippery slope and we can't legislate an idea of good parenting. But the other is that your choice could very easily endanger other people's children in a real and scary way. For example, if you allowed your child to go near another mother's infant in a stroller or at a park you could expose the infant to pertussis which could be fatal. Or if you were visiting a relative at a hospital and your child encountered a cancer survivor at school who had lowered immune system responses they could become very ill.

I'm trying not to seem like I'm attacking, this is something I genuinely don't understand about anti vaxxers, how they reconcile that risk to others concept.

Boonhilde · May 2015

I've done a LOT of research on this. I came to the conclusion the risk of not vaccinating is far worse than the risks associated with vaccinating. For the love of Pete, vaccinate your children.

morbid007 · May 2015

csy2947 said:

morbid007 said:
I know this is against popular opinion, but we have decided against it. We have no problem with people that chose to vaccinate their children, but for us we just don't feel good about it. We would rather give our children's immune system a chance at growing stronger on its own before pumping them full of things we aren't really sure they need. Now don't get me wrong, if they are sick, then we will do everything and give them anything to make them better. But to just give it to them by the off chance they may get sick doesn't make sense to us.
Do you plan to home school?

I only ask because in my opinion there are two big flaws with the parents' choice movement. The first is the lack of the child's autonomy but I understand that is a slippery slope and we can't legislate an idea of good parenting. But the other is that your choice could very easily endanger other people's children in a real and scary way. For example, if you allowed your child to go near another mother's infant in a stroller or at a park you could expose the infant to pertussis which could be fatal. Or if you were visiting a relative at a hospital and your child encountered a cancer survivor at school who had lowered immune system responses they could become very ill.

I'm trying not to seem like I'm attacking, this is something I genuinely don't understand about anti vaxxers, how they reconcile that risk to others concept.

We don't plan on homeschooling. I guess my question is, even with these vaccinations, isn't there still a chance that you will get sick?
I have been around many, many children and it seems to me that the ones that are up to date on vaccinations are much sicker in general. Please understand. It's not that I am 100% against vaccinations, I just think that I would like to give my child's body a chance before I start pumping them full of medicine. Your immune system will get stronger the more you are exposed to the outside world. And I believe these vaccinations were fantastic when they were created! We needed them, but I also believe we needed them because we weren't as medically advanced as we are now. Most people don't die of a fever or dehydration now a days.
If for school my children need them, then my husband and I agreed we will revisit the decision. As for now though, I just don't feel comfortable with it.

delujm0 · May 2015

morbid007 said:

csy2947 said:

morbid007 said:
I know this is against popular opinion, but we have decided against it. We have no problem with people that chose to vaccinate their children, but for us we just don't feel good about it. We would rather give our children's immune system a chance at growing stronger on its own before pumping them full of things we aren't really sure they need. Now don't get me wrong, if they are sick, then we will do everything and give them anything to make them better. But to just give it to them by the off chance they may get sick doesn't make sense to us.
Do you plan to home school?

I only ask because in my opinion there are two big flaws with the parents' choice movement. The first is the lack of the child's autonomy but I understand that is a slippery slope and we can't legislate an idea of good parenting. But the other is that your choice could very easily endanger other people's children in a real and scary way. For example, if you allowed your child to go near another mother's infant in a stroller or at a park you could expose the infant to pertussis which could be fatal. Or if you were visiting a relative at a hospital and your child encountered a cancer survivor at school who had lowered immune system responses they could become very ill.

I'm trying not to seem like I'm attacking, this is something I genuinely don't understand about anti vaxxers, how they reconcile that risk to others concept.
We don't plan on homeschooling. I guess my question is, even with these vaccinations, isn't there still a chance that you will get sick?
I have been around many, many children and it seems to me that the ones that are up to date on vaccinations are much sicker in general. Please understand. It's not that I am 100% against vaccinations, I just think that I would like to give my child's body a chance before I start pumping them full of medicine. Your immune system will get stronger the more you are exposed to the outside world. And I believe these vaccinations were fantastic when they were created! We needed them, but I also believe we needed them because we weren't as medically advanced as we are now. Most people don't die of a fever or dehydration now a days.
If for school my children need them, then my husband and I agreed we will revisit the decision. As for now though, I just don't feel comfortable with it.

I don't get this logic.

Yes, even if you keep up with vaccines and boosters, there is still a chance that your child will get sick. But that chance is very significantly lower if you have vaccinated, and those that are vaccinated often have less fatal responses to the disease. Why would you want your kid, for example, to have a 10% chance of getting fatal whooping cough when if he had been vaccinated that chance is lower than 1%?

Unless your child is allergic to the vaccine or has an autoimmune disorder or other issue that precludes his ability to receive the vaccine, there is zero risk associated with getting the vaccine itself. So why would you not get a risk free as-close-to-guarantee-as-you-can-get against a disease? Why even bother taking your chances?

Seriously though you should do research on what these diseases actually look like. People in other countries where they are prevalent would kill for the vaccines that you think are unnecessary. And the more people in this country that don't get them, the closer we get to having the diseases be regularly present in our society again.

morbid007 · May 2015

delujm0 said:

morbid007 said:

csy2947 said:

morbid007 said:
I know this is against popular opinion, but we have decided against it. We have no problem with people that chose to vaccinate their children, but for us we just don't feel good about it. We would rather give our children's immune system a chance at growing stronger on its own before pumping them full of things we aren't really sure they need. Now don't get me wrong, if they are sick, then we will do everything and give them anything to make them better. But to just give it to them by the off chance they may get sick doesn't make sense to us.
Do you plan to home school?

I only ask because in my opinion there are two big flaws with the parents' choice movement. The first is the lack of the child's autonomy but I understand that is a slippery slope and we can't legislate an idea of good parenting. But the other is that your choice could very easily endanger other people's children in a real and scary way. For example, if you allowed your child to go near another mother's infant in a stroller or at a park you could expose the infant to pertussis which could be fatal. Or if you were visiting a relative at a hospital and your child encountered a cancer survivor at school who had lowered immune system responses they could become very ill.

I'm trying not to seem like I'm attacking, this is something I genuinely don't understand about anti vaxxers, how they reconcile that risk to others concept.
We don't plan on homeschooling. I guess my question is, even with these vaccinations, isn't there still a chance that you will get sick?
I have been around many, many children and it seems to me that the ones that are up to date on vaccinations are much sicker in general. Please understand. It's not that I am 100% against vaccinations, I just think that I would like to give my child's body a chance before I start pumping them full of medicine. Your immune system will get stronger the more you are exposed to the outside world. And I believe these vaccinations were fantastic when they were created! We needed them, but I also believe we needed them because we weren't as medically advanced as we are now. Most people don't die of a fever or dehydration now a days.
If for school my children need them, then my husband and I agreed we will revisit the decision. As for now though, I just don't feel comfortable with it.
I don't get this logic.

Yes, even if you keep up with vaccines and boosters, there is still a chance that your child will get sick. But that chance is very significantly lower if you have vaccinated, and those that are vaccinated often have less fatal responses to the disease. Why would you want your kid, for example, to have a 10% chance of getting fatal whooping cough when if he had been vaccinated that chance is lower than 1%?

Unless your child is allergic to the vaccine or has an autoimmune disorder or other issue that precludes his ability to receive the vaccine, there is zero risk associated with getting the vaccine itself. So why would you not get a risk free as-close-to-guarantee-as-you-can-get against a disease? Why even bother taking your chances?

Seriously though you should do research on what these diseases actually look like. People in other countries where they are prevalent would kill for the vaccines that you think are unnecessary. And the more people in this country that don't get them, the closer we get to having the diseases be regularly present in our society again.

I have done my research and will continue to do so. A majority of these diseases went away before the vaccinations even came about, all through proper sanitation, hygiene and nutrition.
Research has found that those who are vaccinated are more susceptible to these illnesses. Our immune system recognizes and "attacks" viruses that come through our mouth, eyes and nose, it's not the same coming though a needle into our body. And the vaccinations, at best, only boost our immunity temporarily.
I just find it difficult to trust companies and organizations who's number one goal is to make money, not for the safety of my child.

JNOVA2015 · May 2015

morbid007 said:

csy2947 said:

morbid007 said:
I know this is against popular opinion, but we have decided against it. We have no problem with people that chose to vaccinate their children, but for us we just don't feel good about it. We would rather give our children's immune system a chance at growing stronger on its own before pumping them full of things we aren't really sure they need. Now don't get me wrong, if they are sick, then we will do everything and give them anything to make them better. But to just give it to them by the off chance they may get sick doesn't make sense to us.
Do you plan to home school?

I only ask because in my opinion there are two big flaws with the parents' choice movement. The first is the lack of the child's autonomy but I understand that is a slippery slope and we can't legislate an idea of good parenting. But the other is that your choice could very easily endanger other people's children in a real and scary way. For example, if you allowed your child to go near another mother's infant in a stroller or at a park you could expose the infant to pertussis which could be fatal. Or if you were visiting a relative at a hospital and your child encountered a cancer survivor at school who had lowered immune system responses they could become very ill.

I'm trying not to seem like I'm attacking, this is something I genuinely don't understand about anti vaxxers, how they reconcile that risk to others concept.
We don't plan on homeschooling. I guess my question is, even with these vaccinations, isn't there still a chance that you will get sick?
I have been around many, many children and it seems to me that the ones that are up to date on vaccinations are much sicker in general. Please understand. It's not that I am 100% against vaccinations, I just think that I would like to give my child's body a chance before I start pumping them full of medicine. Your immune system will get stronger the more you are exposed to the outside world. And I believe these vaccinations were fantastic when they were created! We needed them, but I also believe we needed them because we weren't as medically advanced as we are now. Most people don't die of a fever or dehydration now a days.
If for school my children need them, then my husband and I agreed we will revisit the decision. As for now though, I just don't feel comfortable with it.

It sounds like you need to further educate yourself on vaccination. None of the ideas you've put forth are reasons not to vaccinate, and it sounds like you are making a life threatening decision for your kids without really understanding the facts around that decision.

The idea that kids who are vaccinated are sicker has no basis in science. Whether a kid has been been vaccinated for measles has no bearing whatsoever on whether that child is prone to ear infections or colds. The studies that anti-vaxers cite for this proposition are not valid medical studies.

With respect to "giving your child's body a chance," there is no functional benefit to a child's immune system if they build up immunity to a disease through a vaccination or through exposure to the disease in question. The end result is identical in terms of comtinued immunity. The ONLY difference is that when a child builds up immunity through exposure, he is exposed to a serious disease and the potentially life threatening complications that come with it. The potential risks from contracting any vaccine-preventable disease vastly outweigh the potential side effects of vaccination. It's not even a contest. On top of putting your child's health at risk for no reason, you also risk herd immunity.

I'm not trying to attack or be rude here. I just think that the vast majority of people who are on the fence about vaccination are misinformed and swayed by unsubstantiated claims of a few militant anti-vaxers. A little education can go a long way.

jenboston22 · May 2015

JNOVA2015 said:

morbid007 said:

csy2947 said:

morbid007 said:
I know this is against popular opinion, but we have decided against it. We have no problem with people that chose to vaccinate their children, but for us we just don't feel good about it. We would rather give our children's immune system a chance at growing stronger on its own before pumping them full of things we aren't really sure they need. Now don't get me wrong, if they are sick, then we will do everything and give them anything to make them better. But to just give it to them by the off chance they may get sick doesn't make sense to us.
Do you plan to home school?

I only ask because in my opinion there are two big flaws with the parents' choice movement. The first is the lack of the child's autonomy but I understand that is a slippery slope and we can't legislate an idea of good parenting. But the other is that your choice could very easily endanger other people's children in a real and scary way. For example, if you allowed your child to go near another mother's infant in a stroller or at a park you could expose the infant to pertussis which could be fatal. Or if you were visiting a relative at a hospital and your child encountered a cancer survivor at school who had lowered immune system responses they could become very ill.

I'm trying not to seem like I'm attacking, this is something I genuinely don't understand about anti vaxxers, how they reconcile that risk to others concept.
We don't plan on homeschooling. I guess my question is, even with these vaccinations, isn't there still a chance that you will get sick?
I have been around many, many children and it seems to me that the ones that are up to date on vaccinations are much sicker in general. Please understand. It's not that I am 100% against vaccinations, I just think that I would like to give my child's body a chance before I start pumping them full of medicine. Your immune system will get stronger the more you are exposed to the outside world. And I believe these vaccinations were fantastic when they were created! We needed them, but I also believe we needed them because we weren't as medically advanced as we are now. Most people don't die of a fever or dehydration now a days.
If for school my children need them, then my husband and I agreed we will revisit the decision. As for now though, I just don't feel comfortable with it.
It sounds like you need to further educate yourself on vaccination. None of the ideas you've put forth are reasons not to vaccinate, and it sounds like you are making a life threatening decision for your kids without really understanding the facts around that decision.

I just wanted to add... and not just your kids. I have an autoimmune disease that was diagnosed during childhood; if I had been exposed to measles or some other dangerous vaccine-preventable disease, I don't know if I would be here today (giving life to another!). During each of my several childhood hospital stays I saw so many very sick children -- cancer, autoimmune diseases -- and it makes me incredibly sad to think that any one of them could have died not from their disease (which is horrible enough!) but from another child whose parent simply chose not to vaccinate.

delujm0 · May 2015

morbid007 said:

delujm0 said:

morbid007 said:

csy2947 said:

morbid007 said:
I know this is against popular opinion, but we have decided against it. We have no problem with people that chose to vaccinate their children, but for us we just don't feel good about it. We would rather give our children's immune system a chance at growing stronger on its own before pumping them full of things we aren't really sure they need. Now don't get me wrong, if they are sick, then we will do everything and give them anything to make them better. But to just give it to them by the off chance they may get sick doesn't make sense to us.
Do you plan to home school?

I only ask because in my opinion there are two big flaws with the parents' choice movement. The first is the lack of the child's autonomy but I understand that is a slippery slope and we can't legislate an idea of good parenting. But the other is that your choice could very easily endanger other people's children in a real and scary way. For example, if you allowed your child to go near another mother's infant in a stroller or at a park you could expose the infant to pertussis which could be fatal. Or if you were visiting a relative at a hospital and your child encountered a cancer survivor at school who had lowered immune system responses they could become very ill.

I'm trying not to seem like I'm attacking, this is something I genuinely don't understand about anti vaxxers, how they reconcile that risk to others concept.
We don't plan on homeschooling. I guess my question is, even with these vaccinations, isn't there still a chance that you will get sick?
I have been around many, many children and it seems to me that the ones that are up to date on vaccinations are much sicker in general. Please understand. It's not that I am 100% against vaccinations, I just think that I would like to give my child's body a chance before I start pumping them full of medicine. Your immune system will get stronger the more you are exposed to the outside world. And I believe these vaccinations were fantastic when they were created! We needed them, but I also believe we needed them because we weren't as medically advanced as we are now. Most people don't die of a fever or dehydration now a days.
If for school my children need them, then my husband and I agreed we will revisit the decision. As for now though, I just don't feel comfortable with it.
I don't get this logic.

Yes, even if you keep up with vaccines and boosters, there is still a chance that your child will get sick. But that chance is very significantly lower if you have vaccinated, and those that are vaccinated often have less fatal responses to the disease. Why would you want your kid, for example, to have a 10% chance of getting fatal whooping cough when if he had been vaccinated that chance is lower than 1%?

Unless your child is allergic to the vaccine or has an autoimmune disorder or other issue that precludes his ability to receive the vaccine, there is zero risk associated with getting the vaccine itself. So why would you not get a risk free as-close-to-guarantee-as-you-can-get against a disease? Why even bother taking your chances?

Seriously though you should do research on what these diseases actually look like. People in other countries where they are prevalent would kill for the vaccines that you think are unnecessary. And the more people in this country that don't get them, the closer we get to having the diseases be regularly present in our society again.
I have done my research and will continue to do so. A majority of these diseases went away before the vaccinations even came about, all through proper sanitation, hygiene and nutrition.
Research has found that those who are vaccinated are more susceptible to these illnesses. Our immune system recognizes and "attacks" viruses that come through our mouth, eyes and nose, it's not the same coming though a needle into our body. And the vaccinations, at best, only boost our immunity temporarily.
I just find it difficult to trust companies and organizations who's number one goal is to make money, not for the safety of my child.

I trust that you have a medical degree? Or at least advanced schooling on the adequacy of research studies based on their testing methods so that you can make sure the ones you are using are trustworthy? If so go on with your bad self.

I just find it hard to believe that if the FDA came out tomorrow and said "guess what? We have found and fully tested a cancer vaccine. If you get this shot once, your chances of getting any kind of cancer in your lifetime drops below 1%! It is now available for everyone!" that there are people out there that wouldn't get that vaccine.

The reason people think measles vaccines aren't helpful is because the vaccines basically irraticated measles in this country years ago. If we were talking about a cancer vaccine right now, I am willing to bet thar most people would be all over that one. But really there is no difference in the logic here.

slhawkins25 · May 2015

@morbid007 simply Google an educational video, or just YouTube a video of baby's who contract pertussis or whooping cough. If that alone doesn't pull at your heartstrings...well I have nothing more to say. I most definitely will be vaccinating my children for their safety and every other persons safety.

ETA: I really mean nothing personal nor am i attempting to be snarky in any way. I took a child psych class when I was 22, one day happened to be centered around vaccines. From a simple heartbreaking lesson and video, I forever vowed I would vaccinate. To each their own though.

FemShep · May 2015

I get ragey when I hear that someone chooses not to vaccinate without a valid medical reason.

(News flash: wanting a child's immune system to develop on their own is NOT A VALID MEDICAL REASON).

There's an interesting study that just came out that measles causes the immune system to "forget" the defenses it previously learned. So while measles may not kill you directly, it's quite possible that it may indirectly contribute to your death by compromising your immune system.

There's a reason why *all* death rates decreased when measles vaccinations were introduced. And for someone to decide to willfully endanger others who legitimately can't get vaccinated because of stupidity and ignorance....well, like I said, ragey.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/tarahaelle/2015/05/08/measles-vaccine-reduces-death-from-other-infections-too-by-preventing-immune-amnesia/

aleecats · May 2015

I'd also suggest find a doctor soon cause most are starting to deny patients if they're not going to vaccinate.

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