Question for non-vaxers

[ILoveSweetpea]

This is just a curiosity thing... I hope you all don't mind me asking.

First, I should admit that we do vaccinate. I am sure that makes me an oddity here... I guess you can call me ignorant, but up until joining this board I didn't even know there was a non-vax movement!

I am curious.... those of you who say you don't vaccinate... does that mean you don't do any vaccines at all? Or just some vaccines? Or do you delay them until the baby is older? If your baby isn't vaccinated, how do you enroll him in school? (Around here, you need proof of vaccinations to enroll.) Are you all home schoolers? Do you have a hard time finding a doctor that will support your choice?

I am not looking to start a big debate, I completely respect everyone's parenting choices on this board (so long as they aren't abusive of course!). But I am just genuinely curiously as to what the whole "No Vax" thing means. I hope this is an OK place to ask...

Thanks in advance for sharing!!

[MountainMamaGC]

I was told that you need proof of vaccination for school but that is not the case in most of Canada. Its shocking how much they make you beleive that you dont have a choice in the matter. There are exemptions required in three provinces, the rest dont require any. You would be suprised to find that may not be the case where you are from as well. Some do none at all and some select a few and some do all but on a delayed schedule. I am not anti vax, I am pro choice. We have the right to health freedom. Its all about making informed choices.

[leafwood]

The vax forum has lots of great info. Dd was fully vaxed (i didn't even know to question things at that point). With ds, we are doing a selective and delayed schedule. Dh and I have researched each vax as well as corresponding diseases/illnesses. For example, no Hep B (yet anyway), no Roto, no chicken pox, no Hep A. We spread out Hib, Polio, and DTaP ove the first 13 months (one per month beginning at 4m). We will also wait on MMR until we can get the vax as 3 separate components to spread out.

As for school.....we'll cross that bridge when we come to it.

[HarperRose]

Originally Posted by ILoveSweetpea

does that mean you don't do any vaccines at all? Or just some vaccines? Or do you delay them until the baby is older?

We vaxed until my oldest was 9 mos old. We've chosen to stop vaxing our oldest and not to vax the rest at all.

If your baby isn't vaccinated, how do you enroll him in school?

We have vaccine exemption for our school-age kids and will acquire one for the baby when he's of age to attend school (if we choose to put him in public school.)

Are you all home schoolers?

I have my oldest in public, my middle is currently home schooled (was in public school until November), and the baby is only 15 mos.

Do you have a hard time finding a doctor that will support your choice?

I have found 2 docs who respect our decision, whether they agree or not. I think the fact that I've researched it so much and have family history of adverse reaction helps.

I am not looking to start a big debate, I completely respect everyone's parenting choices on this board (so long as they aren't abusive of course!). But I am just genuinely curiously as to what the whole "No Vax" thing means. I hope this is an OK place to ask...

Thanks in advance for sharing!!

Oh, no worries. We have many here who choose to fully vax, some delay vax, some selective vax, and any variation of the 3! And then some like me who don't vax.

[milkybean]

We don't vax at all. none.

You should probably look into your state's laws. Schools do this cute little thing where they say "vaccination is mandatory...unless you get an exemption". So, you know, NOT, so much, mandatory.

We have used an ND for DS's primary care. But the two times he's been to the ER (one burn and one nasty fall on his head at Target) obviously he was seen by nurses and MDs, and NO ONE cared that he wasn't vaxed. They asked if he's up to date, I say "yes in that we're allowed to not vax and he hasn't been at all", the nurse smiles (it's been the same intake nurse each time...same doc, too), writes something, and moves on with the triage work. It's an absolute NON issue.

[Peony]

We don't vax at all. I am homeschooling but for reasons entirely not related to vaxing, my oldest does have anxiety, learning disabilities, etc..., home is where she needs to be to thrive. My 2nd child has had health issues so I do have a doc now (we went years without one, never had a need), she has no problem with us not vaxing and I wouldn't go to a doc where it was a battle.

[alegna]

We do not vaccinate at all. I researched each vaccine and disease individually and could not find any vaccines that were worth the risk for my kids.

Exemptions for school are easy. One piece of paper that you get notarized.

-Angela

[tanyalynn]

We no longer vaccinate at all, so kiddo #1 isn't up-to-date anymore and kiddo #2 is unvaccinated. I feel I've got so many other choices in how to keep the kids healthy that vaccines just aren't necessary. I did the whole read about each vaccine and the disease thing when I was re-evaluating my earlier choice, but over time my emphasis has shifted to all the things I can do, and am doing, to support the kids' (and my) bodies in working well with all the illnesses out there, not just the short list that vaccines are supposed to help with.

Each state in the US has some sort of exemption process, although two (West Virginia and Mississippi, I think) only have medical exemptions which are very limited and excruciatingly difficult to get. The others have religious and/or philosophical exemptions, some of which allow you to officially do a selective and/or delayed vaccination schedule of your choice, but most of which make you officially declare no (more) vaccines. It's frustrating that parents aren't told up-front that they have choices in this.

And this is the beautiful thing about MDC, we learn about how other people live and the choices they make. I have renewed my convictions in some choices I've made, revised my choices over time for other things, and I plan to keep learning and hopefully keep improving on any number of things I am doing now.

[Patchfire]

Dd1 was partially vaccinated up to a point - six months. Ds was never vaccinated and will not be while he's under the age of eighteen, same for dd2. I can't control what they do when they are on their own. My kids are homeschooled, but there is a religious exemption for enrolling in school that I would use if necessary. I have a harder time finding a doctor with which I feel comfortable than I do finding one who is accepting of non-vaxers, if that makes sense. Are they supportive? Well, no, but they don't try to convince me otherwise, and they provide care for my kids.

[FernG]

Originally Posted by ILoveSweetpea

those of you who say you don't vaccinate... does that mean you don't do any vaccines at all? Or just some vaccines? Or do you delay them until the baby is older?

We originally planned to do a few vaccines and to delay them until an age where we thought the immune system was more mature. We were researching the best age to start based on the blood-brain barrier. We also wanted to delay until after an age when reactions would be evident. It's difficult to see a loss of language in a newborn. However, the more we researched, the more we were convinced that no vaccines were worth the risk.

Originally Posted by ILoveSweetpea

If your baby isn't vaccinated, how do you enroll him in school? (Around here, you need proof of vaccinations to enroll.) Are you all home schoolers?

This is a common misconception. Even many school administrators believe that. I don't know where you are posting from, but only Mississippi and West Virginia require vaccination for school attendance unless the child has a medical waver. All other states have religious or philosophical exemptions. As far as I know, Canada and the UK also do not require vaccines. MS and WV do require a few vaccines. In many states, there is a big difference between the required vaccines for school attendance without a waver and the CDC's recommended schedule.

Originally Posted by ILoveSweetpea

Do you have a hard time finding a doctor that will support your choice?

I have not had a hard time finding a doctor. My doctor has never brought up the issue with me. I just tell the nurse that we aren't vaccinating so that s/he doesn't prepare any vaccines to administer during that visit.

[maryeb]

Hi. We don't vax at all...haven't done a single one, and will not be doing any. Our ped is extremely supportive. Shots never ever come up, not that we see him much anyway. We are probably going to homeschool, but if not I know we can get an exemption. FWIW, most of the moms I know do selective/delayed vax. HTH. Mary

[MCatLvrMom2A&X]

Stopped vaxing when ds was 4mo dd is nearly fully vaxed No intention of ever vaxing ever again.

I have a religious exemption for school. The peds office is fine with it so far but then I havnt taken ds in for a WBV since he got his last vax. When I take dd in for her yearly for school they note the religious exemption in her file and that is it.

[Thing1Thing2]

We don't vax at all, but if you are interested in delayed vaxing you should read The vaccine book by Dr sears.

[mommy2naomi]

My almost 3 year old is fully vaccinated... this is before I knew I could have a say in my child's health. Before my MDC enlightenment...

My younger dd is 9 months and we were planning on slowly starting once she turns a year. But at this point, we might wait until she's 2. And even then only 1-2 per year.

I told our current pedi that I don't want any shots and that was it. Every appointment she has me sign a waiver form. Now they have it for me before the appointment...

I'm in IL and I wrote a very generic "higher power" letter to avoid the school issue.

[RubyOrganique]

I think it's great that you're learning everything you can and making informed decisions.

There is a very well researched book that just came out last year. It's not the easiest read, but it might be a great source of information for you. VACCINE SAFETY MANUAL; For Concerned Families and Health Practitioners by Neil Z. Miller I would be surprised if you found it at a local library, but it's worth a look.

There are a few, very courageous medical doctors that are working on this issue - and it goes far beyond the mercury/autism debate. Though it is incredibly controversial and socially charged, I commend you for looking outside the box for more information. MDC is a nurturing community to do that in.

Best of luck.

[just_lily]

My daughter has not received any vaccines, and our current plan is for her to not receive any, ever. But I am always researching so if I come up with something compelling, we will revisit the issue.

That also extends to me, as I refuse to get a flu shot, ever, and have also declined chicken pox vaccine for myself even though I have never had it and don't have any titres.

I live in Alberta, where there are absolutely zero vaccination requirements to attend school. Most people don't even know this, but it is true. You don't even need an exemption.

We may homeschool, but for reasons unrelated to vaccination.

The doctor thing isn't really an issue either, as vaccines are administered at the public health office, not by doctors. My family doctor did give me the "bad mommy" lecture, but I am not being fired or anything like I hear about from a lot of American mamas.

Public Health did call me last week to see if "I knew I could bring my baby in to be vaxed." I love how they always assume you are ignorant. I told her that I would be delaying (because that is just the easiest answer), she asked if I had any questions, I said no, and she said she would write it in her chart. The end.

I am not anti-vaccine, I am pro-informed-consent. And until the medical community conducts studies comparing vexed to completely non-vaxed children, I don't feel like I have enough information to consent.

[Super Glue Mommy]

Originally Posted by ILoveSweetpea

This is just a curiosity thing... I hope you all don't mind me asking.

I dont mind

First, I should admit that we do vaccinate. I am sure that makes me an oddity here... I guess you can call me ignorant, but up until joining this board I didn't even know there was a non-vax movement!

no you aren't odd. there are vaxxers, non vaxxers, and selective/delayed vaxxers. you do what you believe is right for your family. a lot of people don't know. I thought non vaxxers were crazy until my son had a reaction.

I am curious.... those of you who say you don't vaccinate... does that mean you don't do any vaccines at all? Or just some vaccines? Or do you delay them until the baby is older? If your baby isn't vaccinated, how do you enroll him in school? (Around here, you need proof of vaccinations to enroll.) Are you all home schoolers? Do you have a hard time finding a doctor that will support your choice?

it depends. me, I don't vaccinate anymore, ds2 has an all natural immune system! I used to selectively with my daughter, and on schedule with DS1. usually those who say they dont vaccinate mean they dont do any at all, and those who say they do selectively or delayed will wait until child is older or skip certain vaccines or get some on schedule and some delayed and none at all. mostly, its about doing what you feel if best for your child instead of taking the one size fits all approach. I am not a homeschooler currently, but I plan to be! my DS1 attends public school right now, and is not up to date on his vaccines anymore. I have a great dr. best in town (as in all the millionaires use this practice, they are excellent at diagnosing things, etc.) and they know I don't vaccinate anymore and never pushed the issue. They are confident in their ability to diagnose and treat their patients. dr's who wont take non-vaxxed patients worry me. they assume vaccines work, and a child who is sick with, say, pertussis for example, will get wrongly diagnosed and receive the wrong treatment all because the dr doesn't know how to diagnos P and assumes it cant be that since there is a vaccine for it or the person was vaccinated against that. this happened to someone I know. Her child got Rubella (which she was vaxxed for) but she had recently stopped vaxxing and her dr said "see, this is why you need to vaccinate" and she said "we did vaxx against this!" and he said "oh then its not Rubella" and she had to go to a private lab to get the rubella diagnosis. her dr wouldnt even run the tests saying it was impossible.

I am not looking to start a big debate, I completely respect everyone's parenting choices on this board (so long as they aren't abusive of course!). But I am just genuinely curiously as to what the whole "No Vax" thing means. I hope this is an OK place to ask...

Thanks in advance for sharing!!

I recommend checking out the "vaccination" board here on MDC

(all underlined things are my rseponses.)

[Funny Face]

We were going to do delayed vax with dd and then she had a reaction to the very first vaccine she got, so that was the last one.

I've read up a lot since then and was amazed to find that all doctors (according to the drug companies who produce the vaccines) are suppose to screen all children for allergies, asthma and previous reactions before giving a vaccine. I've never heard anyone ask any of these questions before giving a vaccine or have them explain why they are important.

Ds won't be vaxed at all. There are a ton of reasons but since dd reacted and we have all kinds of allergies that run in our family I don't feel comfortable even chancing it.


Also, where I live they tell you you have to be vaxed to attend school/day care but here all you have to do is write a note saying you don't vax, get it notarized and give it to them. This is especially true of any school that receives gov. funding.

[nj's_mom]

I vaccinated my now-six month old DD because I didn't know any better- and while pregnant, when I asked about the issue at the pedi interview, was told by the pedi (who I liked and respected and who is semi-crunchy) that if I wasn't going to vax, there are not a good place for me- that she vax'd her own kids- blah blah blah. So DD got her nb shots, and her two month shots. But around three months I started looking into it, mainly online, bought the Vaccine Book, and of my own research realized that- for me, the mom of a big fat healthy baby whose ONLY sick visits has been for two consecutive ear infections after she got Prevnar, which has been known to cause ear infections- the risk outweighed any possible (and impossible) benefit. So she didn't get the four month shots, I told them I wanted to wait until she was one hundred percent better from the ear infections and just never went back. We do have our six month appt. today so I'm going to have to drop the bomb now Should be interesting.

I'm not sure when I will start vax'ing again, or if I ever will. Everyone I know IRL thinks it's stupid to dangerous, and I've quieted them by saying I'm only delaying and will start vax'ing when she goes to daycare or school (not for a while, I hope.) Originally I said when she was 12m- but at 6m I feel no more willing to vax than I did at 4m.

[Drummer's Wife]

I say we don't vax at all, but in reality my first two had most of their vaxes because it was before I had done a min. of research.

My 3rd and 4th are completely vax-free and will remain so as long as I have any say

we have homeschooled in the past but now public school and the exemption was an easy process my DH took care of on his lunch break.