• Created on 5/6/12 by Mothering Editorial

Issue 153 - March/April 2009 by Peggy O'Mara, Editor and Publisher As a new reader of Mothering in 1977, I was especially interested in the letters about circumcision and vaccinations. In fact, one of the first things I did when I bought the magazine in 1980 was to arrange the letters under specific headings so that readers could more easily follow the ongoing dialogues. As the editor of Mothering, I see circumcision and vaccination as two of many issues that fall under the broader umbrella of informed consent or freedom of conscience. Sometimes people will... read more

• Created on 4/22/12 by Cynthia Mosher

The debate in Vermont continues as the state considers ending the right to a philosophical vaccine exemption for families. The exemption currently allows parents to say no to vaccines for their children and still send them to public school or child care. Vermont is one of twenty states that allow such an option for parents. Vocal opponents of the exemption state that it  jeopardizes “herd immunity,” putting the community at risk.  Others see it as a vital right that allows families to make informed health decisions without excluding them from important... read more

• Created on 3/19/12 by Cynthia Mosher

Thank you to Dr. Bob Sears for this guest post. The California Legislature is currently considering a bill that would require parents to obtain their doctor’s signature on a government form prior to enrollment in public school if they wish to skip one or more vaccines for their child. Current law allows parents to decline vaccines by signing an exemption form at the school – no doctor’s signature needed. The new law would require “a written statement signed by a health care practitioner that indicates that the practitioner provided the parent... read more

• Created on 3/14/12 by Mothering Editorial

By Elissa Mendenhall Issue 142 - May/June 2007 In September 2006, the State of Michigan approved two measures to require girls entering the sixth grade to be vaccinated with Gardasil, the new vaccine for human papillomavirus (HPV). Touted as the "anti-cancer vaccine," Gardasil is widely hailed in the public health community as a giant step toward preventing cervical cancer. After four clinical trials, the FDA approved its use in June 2006, and Gardasil is now available by prescription. Clinical trials have found that Gardasil is nearly 100 percent effective in... read more

• Created on 2/22/12 by Mothering Editorial

By Robert W. SearsIssue 146, January/February 2008 Vaccines have become the most controversial parenting topic of the decade. When parents are considering whether or not to vaccinate their children, one of the things that must be considered is aluminum toxicity. Aluminum is added to a number of vaccines to help them work better. Normally, one wouldn't consider aluminum to be a problem. It's a naturally occurring element that is present everywhere in our environment—in food, water, air, and soil. It's also a main ingredient in over-the-counter antacids. And because... read more

• Created on 5/8/11 by Mothering Editorial

From SafeMinds.orgMay 9th, 2011 Four Families of Vaccine-Injured Children with Autism Compensated by the Federal Government Speak Out - Press Conference Tuesday, May 10th at noon EDT. Watch it here. For over 20 years, the federal government has publicly denied a vaccine-autism link, while at the same time its Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP) has been awarding damages for vaccine injury to children with brain damage, seizures and autism. A new investigation, based on public, verifiable government data, breaks ground in the controversial vaccine-autism debate.... read more

• Created on 3/23/11 by Mothering Editorial

March 24, 2011 From the National Vaccine Information Center (NVIC): An assault on vaccine exemptions is underway in Washington State by powerful special interest groups that want to do the same thing in other states. All WA state residents, who want to file a philosophical or religious exemption to vaccination without getting a signature from a doctor or medical worker, should register for the free NVIC Advocacy Portal and access guidelines and updates for how to contact legislators to educate them about the dangers of SB5005. Key contacts need to be made immediately... read more

• Created on 3/9/11 by Mothering Editorial

This page displays monthly reports on event data from the US government's Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS). Reports are provided by Mothering Expert Steven Rubin, PhD, a computer scientist who maintains the online searchable VAERS database, MedAlerts, and volunteer data reporter for the National Vaccine Information Center (NVIC). Please view his bio at the bottom of this page. Ask Dr. Rubin a Question Read Past Questions & Answers by Dr. Rubin About VAERS - from the VAERS website The Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) is a national vaccine... read more

• Created on 2/22/11 by Mothering Editorial

February 23, 2011 From The Associated Press, February 22 "The Supreme Court closed the courthouse door Tuesday to parents who want to sue drug makers over claims that their children developed autism and other serious health problems from vaccines. The ruling was a stinging defeat for families dissatisfied with how they fared before a special no-fault vaccine court." Excerpt from NPR, "Parents Lose High Court Appeal In Vaccine Case" Read the Story read more

• Created on 2/20/11 by Mothering Editorial

    Mothering Editor and Publisher Peggy O'Mara interviews Dr. Andrew Wakefield; coauthor of a 1998 study that suggested a link between Crohn's Disease and the Measles Mumps Rubella (MMR) vaccine in some children. He has been accused of incorrectly linking the MMR vaccine with autism. In this special interview, Wakefield discusses the current controversy surrounding his research. Listen Now   You can also listen here. Subscribe to our podcast to receive all of our audio episodes as they become available.   Original Study by Dr. Wakefield et al. in... read more