How many people IRL know your kids' vax status?

[Ruthla]

I'm posting this poll here, and not in one of the subforums, because I want to include everybody in this poll- whether they don't vax at all, selectively/delay vax, or fully vax (although I suspect that the "vax on schedule" people deal with a lot less outside pressure.)

It seems like there are a lot of people who have problems with other adults in their lives once they announce that they're not vaccinating according to the expected schedule. I've never shared my vax concerns with a lot of people- only those who needed to know (such as doctors or school administrators) and friends that I knew would be supportive or open-minded.

My own parents don't know that my kids weren't vaxed as infants, and that I have no intention of giving them further vaxes (which includes needing a vaccine exemption for DD2 since she "needs" one more booster shot.) I don't have any reason to think they'd be supportive, and honestly they don't need to know.

[LiLStar]

I don't vax but tell more than a "select few" but I don't tell "the world" Basically, I'm not going to bring it up, but if vaxes justs happen to come up in conversation "oh, your 2 month wbv is tomorrow? awww, poor baby, time for shots!" I have no qualms about saying that we dont vax, and I don't censor that fact based on who I happen to be talking to. Hmm. I guess that means I tell the world? but I don't go announcing it.

[AutumnAir]

We don't vax, but don't really tell people. My mom knows and I told my MIL recently (she was pleasantly supportive, though not really understanding, so I forwarded her some good links). The vast majority of people who know, know me and know that I would only make such a decision based on a lot of consideration and research.

But I don't feel the need to 'borrow trouble' so to speak. I'll speak up about options and a parent's right to choose if I'm talking to someone who seems uncomfortable with/ pressured into vax, but I rarely offer up the fact that we don't vax at all - usually just let people assume that we selectively/delay vax.

[nicolebeth]

I don't say anything because nice people have told me things (without any knowledge of my kids' vax status) about how horrible those non-vaxers are who "spread measles to babies" (for instance). I say nice, because these are parents of my kids' friends, with whom I typically make pleasant conversation. Some are even friends. I don't want them: shunning my kids; protesting that the private school takes exemptions; or telling others. Like-minded people know, and that's enough for us. If there is an opening, I might suggest that K forms take titres--they don't have to repeat all vaxes (though, of course, most prefer shots to blood draws--why?!)

[amyandelle]

We don't vax and I am not ashamed to share that information when the subject comes up.

Amy

[JamieCatheryn]

Originally Posted by LiLStar

I don't vax but tell more than a "select few" but I don't tell "the world" Basically, I'm not going to bring it up, but if vaxes justs happen to come up in conversation "oh, your 2 month wbv is tomorrow? awww, poor baby, time for shots!" I have no qualms about saying that we dont vax, and I don't censor that fact based on who I happen to be talking to. Hmm. I guess that means I tell the world? but I don't go announcing it.

This describes us I suppose, only mention it if it comes up, but not because we're worried it would cause trouble or anything. Just isn't an issue to us. Same with leaving our boys intact.

[SunshineJ]

We don't tell many people at all. We have our decisions made, our minds are made up, we've done the research and well, since it's not open to debate and many of the people we could tell are the same way on the other side of things, it's just not worth it! I was mentioning something about one of the threads in this section, a comment made about the NCLB act and abstaining from vaccination (she's been in education for about 40 yrs) and her comment was "Well, I'm glad your not that crazy yet!" in a derisive tone. Needless to say she has no idea what the vax status is of our children, and probably never will. (She also thinks the new H1N1 vax is great and will probably be one of the first in line to get it. We, otoh, will leave the country rather than get it if push came to shove!)

[Jugs]

We don't vax and only told a select few... who told a select few... who told a select few... LOL, so we inadvertently told the world. Surprisingly, we've gotten no grief about it, at least not to our faces, anyway.

[kirstenb]

We're undecided and we don't share that with anyone. DS is fully vaxed up through 12 months but hasn't had any since. I don't know if we are going to selectively/delay the remaining vaxes or not do them at all. It's really no one's business and I never bring it up. I couldn't tell you the vax status of any of our friends' kids.

[pollyanna]

I voted other, because I don't tell anyone that I don't vax. as far as my family knows is that DS is allergic to eggs so cp, mmr and flu is out. But they don't know that I've chosen not to vax at all.

Pollyanna

[mamadelbosque]

We don't vax. My parents, (I think) DH's parents, & our grandparents know, and I think one of my aunt's. Aside from them.. a couple of DH's old friends (who *just* had a baby, and who I don't *think* will vax...), and one lady whose in one of the playgroups I goto knows... thats about it though.

[eli's mama]

we don't vax and I only share with a select few. Though, I was outted in front of my SIL when ds1 was very small, by a friend i ran into at babies r us one day. I think she told my MIL but no one has given me any grief about it. So far I haven't really had anyone give me a hard time about it.

[medusaatemydog]

i won't bring it up but if it does come up everyone who can't understand gets and education .. and i've actually won over quite a few people.. just based on the fact they never thought about many aspects or the potential dangers .. not only that but there are so many autistic and allergic kids here that you can't really get upset for someone for questioning it.. the postitive about this is when this vaccine 'hits the fan' there will be more people who will understand where the vax resistance coming from and honestly i meet total strangers that i connect with all these issues concerning vaxs and food.. i have had few attacks but unfortunately my neighbor is still beside herself.. she hates me.. jealous, she used to make comments on how i would never be able to accomplish homeschool and all that because it's so much work. My son finished kindergarten knowing how to read on a second grade level and can add and subtract..she jealous i plant seeds.. people need to know.. they need to hear it.. but if someone seems irrational i do not have discussions with them

[frontierpsych]

I said we don't vax and we only tell a select few people. It's not due to hiding anything, it's just that it never comes up. I mean, it's not like I come up to people "Hi I'm Kati and I don't vaccinate my son."

[limette]

I picked other because we don't vax and nobody but us knows the kids vax status. It has never come up in conversation and it's not information that I feel is necessary to randomly share with people.

[Evergreen]

If it comes up I usually tell people. For instance when Ava was showing off her "boo boo" from her shot a neighbor with a child the same age freaked out and asked if his daughter needed one too. I told him probably not and that this was her first shot. Most of my close friends know but most of them don't vaccinate. My parents know. Dylan's school, Ava's school and their doctors.

When I first started vaccine research I was very vocal about how opposed I was. Since then I have become less antivax and also less outspoken. When Dylan was a baby I told anyone and everyone that I wouldn't vaccinate her but now I figure most people aren't really looking for education about it and I only offer information if I think the person is truly interested in learning not debating. My kids have had a few vaccines. I won't vaccinate until after age two. Ava gets one at a time. Dylan gets two at a time until MMR and she'll get that alone.

[RubyWild]

If someone asks, I tell them the truth that she's never been vaccinated. Otherwise, I don't go around talking about it, even if someone else is talking about vaccinations.

[emma1325]

We tell the world.

I've involved myself in vaccine-risk awareness advocacy, and have discussed the issue with countless people. I've also been interviewed on local t.v. (twice) and my family has been featured in the newspaper once or twice. I've also gone on the radio.

I'm not ashamed!! lol

In casual conversations with people, I will explain our choice to not vaccinate if it comes up. I have occasionally avoided the issue or told a white lie about my child's vaccination status if I felt it "wasn't worth it" depending on the person I'm speaking to (I'm sure you all can relate!)

[mommathea]

We don't vax, and do bring it into everyday conversation. So many out there don't know they have an option. Would you know if you had an option if you haddn't heard it from someone or somewhere that you didn't have to vaccinate?

[earthmama369]

I voted "we tell the world." I don't bring it up out of the blue, but if the topic comes up in conversation, I don't shy away from the fact that we don't vaccinate and I'm happy to explain my reasons why if anyone asks. I try not to be pushy about it, but I feel that open dialogue promotes the chance for better understanding of all the different issues surrounding vaccination. If I hide our status, it only increases the common perception that "everyone vaxes" and that there are no risks associated with vaxing. I never try to persuade someone over to our way of doing things, but I'd like to live in a world where our choice is also respected.