Vaccines

bucher1s · June 2015

to vaccinate or not? Overwhelming amount of pros and cons

bbiutmcph · June 2015

Actually there are no overwhelming cons. All pros. ::drops mic::

BlueTopazBride · June 2015

Agreed, no cons for vaccines. They just protect people from life threatening diseases.

Beccas387 · June 2015

No cons. All real research shows only pros.

edavis926 · June 2015

I say pick the resources that you genuinely trust the most instead of just googling. For example I generally read a lot of mayo clinic articles over say yahoo health or something like that.

In my completely personal opinion that no one has to agree with. We will vaccinate, among other reasons, because I strongly believe vaccines are designed to be most effective in a herd immunity setting opposed to "you've gotten this vaccine now you can't get sick" no-they just don't work that way. So if you have a room where 9/10 people are vaccinated against a disease the odds of someone getting it is a hell of a lot lower than if only half the people were vaccinated. But that's just how I feel about it.

twogirlsandagreen · June 2015

Here we go...

LiveNLove44 · June 2015

This topic elicits a lot of passionate responses. I'd encourage you to search in the threads, too, to see where our BMB has gone with this topic. It might provide additional insight that may not be restated here. We vaccinated DD, on schedule, and we will with this LO when he arrives.

@bucher1s, can you be clear about what you see as the overwhelming cons? That might help people respond with better support.

twogirlsandagreen · June 2015

My short reply is that scientific evidence proves the efficacy and safety of the vaccines. Of course there are those who have allergic reactions to an ingredient, but that is extremely (like very, very) rare. Beyond that, the only "cons" come from anecdotal "evidence" and pure speculation with zero scientific basis. Even when Doctors like Mercola or Sears have anti-vaccine suggestions they site terribly conducted studies and they are also trying to sell their own supplements and books (aka make a profit for themselves by fear mongering with false or skewed information).

All healthy individuals should be vaccinated for their own health and for general public health. There are immune compromised people who cannot be vaccinated, as well as new babies, so these populations rely on herd immunity. Herd immunity also helps to prevent pathogens from mutating in to more virulent strains.

VallieS86 · June 2015

I agree with the others. All pros, no cons.

BoomBarian · June 2015

morganabyrd · June 2015

We're absolutely vaccinating. I hate hearing these sad stories recently about people suffering from preventable illnesses...seems selfish to me.

leighann1 · June 2015

rhiannonbaca · June 2015

Eek don't start this again! Definitely do a search as I think this has been covered and is a very sensitive issue amongst everyone (understandably).

kindlycrystal · June 2015

When students come to me with questions like this, I always recommend research first. Find a reputable source of information and carefully consider the validity of that source. Is there bias? Who wrote it and for what purpose? What are the authors' credentials? Also, if a study is mentioned, check to see if it is cited in the article, website, etc. Try to find it and read it. Your public library should provide access to databases that would likely give you better, more reputable results than a Google search. Or try Google Scholar. PubMed is another good source, but it can get pretty technical.

And now I am taking off my librarian hat.

All that said, we will be vaccinating our child. From what I have read and experienced, it's the best option for our LO.

DeeGreer · June 2015

Yall know it only gets ugly when someone disagrees. Then they're "uninformed and reckless and irresponsible"...blah blah. =;

twogirlsandagreen · June 2015

DeeGreer said:
Yall know it only gets ugly when someone disagrees. Then they're "uninformed and reckless and irresponsible"...blah blah. =;

Not if they are able to provide credible and reputable scientific evidence to back up their stance

JaqiDec04 · June 2015

We will be vaccinating, but probably on a slowed schedule. And honestly, no reason other than that is what makes me comfortable.

When I was holding my newborn daughter in my hand, and the doctor is telling me she is too small and not gaining enough, and in the next breath brought in four needles for her vaccines, I was uncomfortable.

We did DDs on a modified schedule. She will be fully vaccinated by the time she starts preschool in the fall.

On another note, I'm a sahm and DH works from home. If we both world outside the home, and DD was in preschool, I probably would have done them slightly faster.

jjonathan · June 2015

I asked my Obgyn at our appointment yesterday if I should get the Flu vaccine done while I'm pregnant.

She said most definitely however this year she's asking her patients not to coz the virus harvested did not turn out to be a good batch so it wouldn't be the best for us to do t now.

alinic916 · June 2015

@jjonathan I'm not sure how accurate that is but I know the flu vaccine for winter 2014-15 was ineffective due to chosing the wrong strain to vaccinate against. They choose the strains to put in the vaccine based on their best predictions of what will be most prevalent for each year. I don't think they have gotten to that point for the winter 2015-16 vaccine yet. And definitely can't predict that it's ineffective. I would have to do some research but I'm pretty sure it's too early to tell.

But as I mentioned in the recent post on tdap, it is very important for us to be up to date on our Vaccines and get our flu shot early this year because we will pass the immunity on to our baby. Newborns are not able to get a flu shot (6 months and up) so it is up to us to help protect them in the early months, especially since they will be born just before flu season begins.

bucher1s · June 2015

Holllllllly hormones ....I just wanted some feedback. No need to get upset.

bbiutmcph · June 2015

bucher1s said:
Holllllllly hormones ....I just wanted some feedback. No need to get upset.

Please it's not about hormones. If you would have even tried to use the search button on this topic you would find an overwhelming amount of posts about vaccines all with an incredibly large amount of science based facts to back up why you should vaccinate. There are even many facts about delayed schedules.

mrsdhouse89 · June 2015

No one should be jumping down her throat for asking. I've done plenty of research on topics and still ask for advice/opinions on this app.

We are vaccinating, the minimal risk of something going wrong is worth it to me if my child will help with the herd immunity for kids who can't be vaccinated for various health reasons. I also want them protected because if I didn't and they contracted something that I could have prevented then I wouldn't be able to live with myself.

twogirlsandagreen · June 2015

jjonathan said:
I asked my Obgyn at our appointment yesterday if I should get the Flu vaccine done while I'm pregnant.

She said most definitely however this year she's asking her patients not to coz the virus harvested did not turn out to be a good batch so it wouldn't be the best for us to do t now.

Your Doctor is referring to the 2014-2015 vaccine (agreed that it is pointless to do that one). They have not even released the 2015-2016 vaccine yet. That will come out around September and then we can get the flu shot

hopefully they will pick the correct strains this year.

jenn2132 · June 2015

We choose to vaccinate our children. I just started getting the flu shot last year, although I was always afraid to get it previous years because strange as it sounds I thought it would affect my immunity being that I hadn't had the flu in over 10 years and rarely got sick. That changed when two years ago my whole family with the exception on my husband who is immunocompromised (and the only one who received a flu shot that year) got hit with the flu hard! Last year I received the flu shot and didn't catch the flu. I've explained to my school age children they will be getting the flu shot for the first time as well for themselves as well as protection of the baby. When my youngest was a month old he was sick with bronchiolitis that I attributed to my pre-school age child coming home loving on baby and being born during cold/flu season. It was one of the most traumatic experiences in my life watching my newborn lethargic, not eating with an IV in his little arm sleeping in a metal hospital crib. And this was caused by a common cold virus but because of his lack of immunity and fragile state caused him to be hospitalized. I know we can't prevent exposure to every virus that exists but I can only imagine how worse it could have been had it been something much more serious. Because of that experience and that I have a husband who had a kidney transplant (whom I've seen hospitalized for a stomach bug) I've become the very crazy germ-a-phobe lady and my anxiety with it can be overwhelming. I'm not at a point where I avoid public places thankfully I know kiddos need exposure to germs to help build immunity but if I even so much hear a family member or friend is ill I'm staying far away until I know they are no longer contagious. Some of my own family don't understand my behavior but for me it's not worth the risk.

baconlady · June 2015

All I can say is I can't think of one Pro to NOT vaccinating .

leah665 · June 2015

My kids are getting vaccinated. They didn't have the chicken pox vaccine when I was little and I remember being miserable covered in calamine lotion, standing in front of a box fan in our kitchen. I can't imagine getting the measles or mumps that can so easily be prevented.

lakesideknitter · June 2015

mrsdhouse89 said:
No one should be jumping down her throat for asking. I've done plenty of research on topics and still ask for advice/opinions on this app.

We are vaccinating, the minimal risk of something going wrong is worth it to me if my child will help with the herd immunity for kids who can't be vaccinated for various health reasons. I also want them protected because if I didn't and they contracted something that I could have prevented then I wouldn't be able to live with myself.

Lurking from November.

Honestly, no one is jumping down anyone's throat. She asked for opinions without using the search feature to see if her question had already been answered. If you're going to ask a bunch of internet strangers for their opinions, you need to be prepared to hear things you don't like. Toughen up, ladies!

CaitLewis15 · June 2015

Welp, looks like you lovely ladies have covered everything, with your usual eloquence (no throat jumping or raging hormones here, IMO). No need for me to contribute, except that I want to also add that while I typically opt out of the yearly flu vaccine (only because no one in my family is high-risk), this September all three of us will be trucking it over to a CVS to get the 2015-2016 edition. Also, all extended family who plans to stay with us or spend any extended period of time with LO this fall will be getting the vaccine.

Side note: I never Bump on my Mac, but I think that's my new preferred method, because some of these siggies are out of control (@bbiutmcphand @brooklynbroussard)

rparr1984 · June 2015

bucher1s said:

Holllllllly hormones ....I just wanted some feedback. No need to get upset.

First, you asked a question about a very incendiary topic on which most people have a very strong opinion one way or the other. Dismissing the comments you've received so far on the basis of "hormones" insinuates that the responses are coming from a place of irrationality and emotion, rather than a place of research, knowledge, and an attempt to make the best science-based decision for the responders' individual families. It's insulting and rude, and honestly, on a forum full of women who have likely all heard some iteration of "whoa, are you on your period?" at some point in your life when disagreeing with a boy/man on a topic, I expect better.

You've provided very little information regarding the supposed "cons" of vaccinations, even when directly asked, and I believe many of the women above have fully addressed your original question. Because of the vagueness of your original question and your lack of response to people directly asking you for more information, I suspect that your goal with this post is just to stir the pot/cause drama.

That being said, my daughter will be vaccinated. She will also go to a pediatrician/family physician who requires all patients to be vaccinated unless there is a legitimate medical reason not to do so (age, immuno-compromised, previous adverse reactions to vaccines). Same with daycare. The scientific evidence supporting vaccines is overwhelming.

kindlycrystal · June 2015

@jenn2132 I totally understand and I don't think your anxiety is unwarranted. My husband is also immunocompromised and we have to be very careful about what he is exposed to. No visiting loved ones in hospitals (unless the situation is critical, then there are a lot of precautions we take) and we stay far away from family members that are sick, even during the holidays. I've even been known to work from home or shut myself in my office with a can of Lysol when a cold or flu is going around campus.

It wouldn't be too bad for me (prepregnancy), but would mean a hospital stay if I brought anything home to him. Flu shots and vaccines are a must for us, even without the little one.

leighann1 · June 2015

bucher1s said:

Holllllllly hormones ....I just wanted some feedback. No need to get upset.

This is actually the rudest comment I've seen in this entire thread. I'm impressed that people have taken the time to give well-thought-out responses, frankly. Your question was basically the equivalent of me waltzing into my super conservative, Southern Baptist family's potluck and asking "What do y'all think about gay marriage?" It's a question destined for drama.

To answer your question briefly, yes vaccines are good. Science is good. Polio, measles, whooping cough are bad and easily preventable. What are these cons you speak of? I can only pray that my child is healthy enough able to receive them so she's not put at risk by people who take medical advances for granted.

Sbrouwer0706 · June 2015

bucher1s said:

Holllllllly hormones ....I just wanted some feedback. No need to get upset.

This is the only rude comment I have seen....

To answer your question however, I am vaccinating this child and all future children I have. I grew up not being able to get all of my vaccines due to my reaction to the Hep B series. I am one of those people who rely on herd immunity for certain contagions that we have vaccines against. I know it is the best choice for my child and for society. Now, I might do a slightly different vaccine schedule depending on how the baby reacts to its vaccines. I always ended up with some sort of reaction from vaccines. Still, the pros definitely outweighed the cons when it came to me receiving vaccines. If baby is as easy to vaccinate as daddy, a regular schedule it is. If baby has some reactions, I will go with a modified schedule.

amberrmariee20 · June 2015

There's lots of pros of having vaccines, like preventing your children from getting sick, and even other people's young children ! But what are the cons ? I've never came across any !

bucher1s · June 2015

Shoot Me for asking

alinic916 · June 2015

@bucher1s No need to get upset. There have been some very good, educated and thoughtful answers to your question. I hope you take the time to read them and do your research to make an informed decision.

bucher1s · June 2015

We are planning to vaccinate but I still wanted to hear everyone's thoughts, experiences. Trust me I've researched.

tate62610 · June 2015

bucher1s said:
Shoot Me for asking

Don't be so dramatic. You asked a question and actually received some well thought out answers. Maybe just say thank you or feel free to ask questions on top of questions instead of insinuating we're all hormonal.

elmann1 · June 2015

bucher1s said:

Shoot Me for asking

Lol- it's just that many of us who've been on the Bump (October 2015) board for a few months now have seen how these types of threads pan out. If you search for anything "Vaccine" or "shower etiquette" related, you'll see that it hits a nerve, usually with the original poster. No matter what anyone asks on a thread, you need to be prepared for hundreds of different opinions. Everyone in the world doesn't agree with everything, it's just that on here, we can make that very clear.

So far, I feel like a lot of women have given really great points of views. But for those that are more straightforward- we are just aware of what these kinds of questions erupt into. No need to get offended honestly, its happened many times before (use the search function). But know that it has NOTHING to do with hormones, many of these ladies have really great perspectives, it's just easy to get tired of seeing the same questions weekly (for those of us who are on here weekly) especially by users who aren't recognizable or newer.

ash413 · June 2015

bucher1s said:
We are planning to vaccinate but I still wanted to hear everyone's thoughts, experiences. Trust me I've researched.

Lurking from N15

I'm not sure why your upset, there has not been a single ruse commebt, no one is a tracking you. Multiple people have asked what cons you are referring to, which you apparently refuse to answer. This is one of the tamest vaccine threads I've ever seen. You asked for ophinions, you got well thought out answers, why are you butt hurt?

devonsd315 · June 2015

bucher1s said:

We are planning to vaccinate but I still wanted to hear everyone's thoughts, experiences. Trust me I've researched.

I'm hesitant to wade into this but... where are you researching if think there may be overwhelming cons to vaccination? I think it's important to remember your sources. Just because something is on the internet does not mean it's true. The best research will include references to randomized studies with a sample size of thousands of people. The worst will include references to one particular case, ie a sample size of one. Any statistician will tell you that a sample size of one is worthless.

I also think people get justifiably worked up about this issue because in the past on this board, posters have pretty much said they are not going to vaccinate their children and didn't understand how it was a danger to public health. It's a really selfish and ignorant attitude to have. I'm not saying that is you, just something that has happened on here in the past.

MamaOwl15 · June 2015

DS was vaccinated on the recommended schedule and DD most likely will be as well. Because while there are cons for SOME who are not able for whatever reason to be vaccinated, for MOST the pros outweigh the cons.

I'm of the opinion that if you don't have a good reason to avoid vaccines, such as having someone in your family who is immuncompromised and can't get them (and this may extend to siblings -- I have a friend who can't vax her son because of his medical issues and therefore also cannot vax his younger sister). Deeply held religious beliefs or personal convictions are also, IMO, a legitimate reason to opt out, however . . .

If most of the population continues to vaccinate, those who don't continue to benefit from herd immunity.

Vaccines do NOT cause autism.
The ingredients used in them are not toxic to most people, at least no more so than what the majority of us eat every day.
Though vaccine "injuries" can and do occur, they are rare.

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