Another article, another bombardment

[DeannaK]

So this article was sent to me by a few people. http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/...terstitialskip

One person (not a friend but someone I know) actually knows the family who is featured in the story.

I would like to have a few kind, but strong bullet point type responses to send anyone who sends me this article. I can't seem to articulate a clear and thoughtful response right now. I'm tired, angry and sick of defending our decision. Any suggestions for me?

[Gingercat]

You might want to listen to the excellent interview of Dr. Larry Palevsky by Dr. Mercola on the safety and effectiveness of vaccines: Expert Pediatrician Exposes Vaccine Myths

One of the topics covered is the concept of herd immunity. Here's a summary of what he said:

**

It also very interesting to listen to the part where he explains the difference between natural immunity and vaccine-induced immunity.

If it was me I'd just email them the link to this interview and never be bothered with this issue again!

[SunshineJ]

Ugh. I wouldn't even get into it with them. Instead I would send something to the general gist of "While it is tragic that the families in the article have suffered, their stories are anecdotal to the vaccination debate. We know the risks of both the vaccines and the diseases they prevent against, and for every article such as this one we could counter with one discussing the death or life changing repercussions resulting from vaccination. We have spent countless hours researching vaccines and are secure in our decision. If you would be interested in discussing some of the real concerns of serotype replacement, heavy metal poisoning, increased immuno-deficiency disorders and incubation material secondary infection transmission as well as statistical integrity in the vaccine field, I would be happy to do so. However, I am now politely asking that articles that focus on isolated human suffering and fear tactics no longer be sent to me. Thank you."

Something like this not only demonstrated that yeah, you've done your research, but the conditions will most likely be so far outside of what they know, they'll drop it hopefully. Good luck!

[Bebegim]

I finally snapped with this stuff too

Oh, this article made me cry yesterday when I read it. It was more compelling than a St. Jude's ad.

But it doesn't change the fact that the FDA and CDC haven't bothered to study vaccines effects long term. Bottom line: effects unknown (you know, except for all the children damaged each year by them and swept under the rug). The burden of proof should not be on parents to prove they're unsafe, it should be on the manufacturer and government to prove that they are.

Since no long term studies exist and we are getting progressively more ill as a community, until the studies are done (conflict of interest-free studies), I will air on the side of caution. No vaccines for my baby.

I hate to be made to feel like not vaccinating my child is putting other peoples children at risk. The thought of a poor family with an immuno-suppressed child catching something and responding to the illness my daughter fought off easily in a much more dangerous way is scary.

Here's what I really want to say to people: "While I care about the general well being of all children. I am not willing to accept the risk of potential brain damage and immune system dysfunction in my own child in order to protect yours."

Stay strong! You're not alone! Just send them this study. Its my favorite.
http://www.ehponline.org/members/2005/7712/7712.pdf

No parent should continue to trust the CDC and FDA's vaccine recommendations when a study clearly showing brain toxicity of thimerosal like this has been published and instead of calling for more studies, the CDC and FDA state its perfectly safe, but were asking manufacturers to remove it to calm "unsubstantiated fears." You wouldn't believe anyone else you know if they gave you that line. Why do parents still believe the government?

And block that persons email or shift it to SPAM! They are not helpful. Tell them you only accept scientific literature from the opposite side!

[chaoticzenmom]

Bullet points?

-that could just as easily have been a mother crying about her child's vaccine injury or death. Since 1.5 Billion dollars has been given out to vaccine injured children, we can conclude that it's fairly common...while meningitis is not.

-Offit owns stock in vaccines and has a monetary interest in them being pushed.

-NO studies have compared vaccinated vs. non-vaccinated children

-Parents are seeing the effects of these vaccines and not being believed by many doctors.

-We are not a socialist country and don't have to vaccinate.

[3princesses]

Originally Posted by chaoticzenmom

Bullet points?

-that could just as easily have been a mother crying about her child's vaccine injury or death. Since 1.5 Billion dollars has been given out to vaccine injured children, we can conclude that it's fairly common...while meningitis is not.

-Offit owns stock in vaccines and has a monetary interest in them being pushed.

-NO studies have compared vaccinated vs. non-vaccinated children

-Parents are seeing the effects of these vaccines and not being believed by many doctors.

-We are not a socialist country and don't have to vaccinate.

Absolutely agree! Sadly, you can find articles with the same outcome, but with children that have died because of the vaccines

[3princesses]

Originally Posted by Gingercat

You might want to listen to the excellent interview of Dr. Larry Palevsky by Dr. Mercola on the safety and effectiveness of vaccines: Expert Pediatrician Exposes Vaccine Myths

One of the topics covered is the concept of herd immunity. Here's a summary of what he said:

**

It also very interesting to listen to the part where he explains the difference between natural immunity and vaccine-induced immunity.

If it was me I'd just email them the link to this interview and never be bothered with this issue again!

I didn't start this threadBut thanks for this great site and article!
BTW, I noticed you are in Greece. My sister is there right now with her fiancee, (he and his family are originally from there) My husband and kids and I are hoping to travel there this summer!

[stacey05]

Ok, I watched the video and read the article and it really does play on parents' fears! Meningitis is one that scares me and the hib and prevnar are ones I have thought long and hard about giving my toddler. I worry about serotype replacement, though. I wonder if my child is more vulnerable to serotype replacement if I vaccinate him for these things or if he is just plain vulnerable because of mass vaccination against these bacteria? Does that make sense? I guess I am asking if vaccinating puts him at more risk of serotype replacement or is it the same risk for a non vaccinated person because everyone else is vaccinating?

I also wonder if the pnuemococcal type the little girl died of was actually a type covered by the vaccine? They never tell you that or else I missed it. There are many types that cause meningitis and prevnar (old one) only covers 7 strains...now they are covering 13 I think because more have become more prevalent since the vaccine. Does anybody know if the type the little girl died from was actually vaccine preventable.

Anyway, it does break my heart to read this story and watch that video. It is one of my worst fears! Ugh!

Stacey

[stacey05]

another question I have is about the little girl who died of meningitis (pneumococcal). The mom said that they didn't vaccinate with prevnar or chicken pox. Did they vaccinate for hib? any of the others? Some people think (hilary butler) that vaccinating with hib has caused a rise in pneumococcal disease. I can't figure out if it is more in vaccinated people or just population as a whole...anybody know? Also some think vaccinating in general can weaken the immune system? These are just things I am pondering after watching this really sad video. (

Stacey

[nataliachick7]

My ex mil just handed me this article yest. I am writing her a response and sending books along with it! soooo irritated.

[DeannaK]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions and information. I sent off the link and also a few words about how I feel. I was surprised at how receptive she was. Or she just wasn't wanting to argue with me. Either way ... I'm glad I sent her info.

I have never asked someone to not send me their articles, becuase I feel it's my obligation to explain why I make these parenting decisions.

[GoldmanBaby09]

I don't really think that that article makes a very strong point. Especially considering that the mother vaxed her kid and she got sick anyway! How does that prove that everyone should vaccinate? The article mentions that the little girl has an immuno deficiency that doesn't respond to vaccinations. By my count, that mother exposed her child to all kinds of nasty vax ingredients with no clear benefit to be gained by the child.

It has pretty much always been my thought that you can't improve upon nature. Our bodies are miraculous and I'm not convinced that vaccines make our immune system stronger. We know formula is a far cry from that natural benefits from breastmilk. Why should we believe that a man made (and rather untested) vaccine is going to make our immune system better?

[laohaire]

Originally Posted by DeannaK

I have never asked someone to not send me their articles, becuase I feel it's my obligation to explain why I make these parenting decisions.

Really?

[DeannaK]

Originally Posted by laohaire

Really?

Yep, how on earth are we supposed to educate people if we don't explain to them our reasons. If more people would have listened to the people who pleaded with doctors and parens to stop over Rx'ing antibiotics maybe, just maybe we wouldn't have these super bugs like MRSA and the like.

Voices in masses make a difference, so I don't shy away from taking the opportunity to educate someone. I just wish I could articulate myself better. I seem to be loosing my ability to communicate with each sleepless night!

[midnightmommy]

How about my personal favorite...

Thanks for the article. As I make my personal parenting decisions based on careful research. I was already aware of this concern voiced by some.

I would leave it there if you don't want to throw facts at them. Or send them back a reply full of anti-vaccine articles. After all... they showed you theirs.

[nataliachick7]

Originally Posted by GoldmanBaby09

I don't really think that that article makes a very strong point. Especially considering that the mother vaxed her kid and she got sick anyway! How does that prove that everyone should vaccinate?

Well what they are saying is that because of the "gaps" ie...some people not vaccinating, that it is threatening herd immunity and now vaccinated children are going to get sick because of the unnvaccinated children spreading disease.
whatever, im not going to risk my kids brain/immune system function for the sake of "herd immunity" which by the way is just a THEORY.

[Tee25]

FIL sent me this article last week.

I typed up quite the email in response and sent him an attachment full of vaccine information. Know what he said? Basically that he was not interested in reading what I sent him. Glad to know that the information highway is only a one way street in his world!

[Tofu the Geek]

Wait a second, can't vaccinated kids still be carriers and spread Hib even if they don't exhibit symptoms themselves?

[Gingercat]

Originally Posted by Tofu the Geek

Wait a second, can't vaccinated kids still be carriers and spread Hib even if they don't exhibit symptoms themselves?

Yes, this is what the interview I linked above explains. The herd immunity argument is just a stupid myth that keeps going on and on among vaccine supports just to scare people off!

[calebsmommy25]

Originally Posted by midnightmommy

How about my personal favorite...

Thanks for the article. As I make my personal parenting decisions based on careful research. I was already aware of this concern voiced by some.

I would leave it there if you don't want to throw facts at them. Or send them back a reply full of anti-vaccine articles. After all... they showed you theirs.

I wonder how much research your friends have done on vaccines? Even though you are the front end of some lashback, you are planting seeds of knowledge about vaccine safety. I hope they grow somewhere and really influence some choices.

'They showed you theirs' gave me a big ole' chuckle this morning! Thanks!