Vaxing considerations with allergies/intolerances/eczema

[DevaMajka]

Ds is 17mos, and I want to start thinking more about vaxing. I'm not sure how his sensitivities (I don't know if he has true allergies or not) and eczema affect my decision. How did your lo's sensitivities play into your decision to vax or not? Anything you want to share about your vax journey might help us

Ds was recently in the hospital twice for difficulty breathing. One time, it was RSV, but the other time he was negative for all the viruses they tested for (though he had a runny nose). They didn't rule out asthma- he has eczema, and I have a couple allergies. They said that he should definitely have the flu vax because of this, but I know how they are. lol

[tanyalynn]

I am exceedingly grateful that I did not vaccinate my son.  His immune system sounds the opposite of your LOs, at least I think eczema is an overreaction, and DS's immune system seemed very underresponsive to me, but I think DS's health would've been compromised further by messing with an immune system that was not operating properly to start with.  And I especially don't like the aluminum content--I know some vaccines have less, and some formulations have none and I still haven't chosen those, but it's another area that I don't feel enough is known about. 

The decision not to vaccinate was the thing that spurred me to learn other ways to deal with illnesses, and that was helpful both to ease my mind and in practical terms because DS got sick a whole lot, and it kept us out of the pediatrician's/family practitioner's office.  I've been shocked at just how much there is to do to help support us, all of us, through illnesses, things that I've seen help both the kids through many illnesses, not just vaccinateable ones. 

[Panserbjorne]

I'm not sure that anything I have to say will help-but here you go!  I always knew I would never vaccinate my kids, so none have ever had any.  That said, the reason I don't vaccinate has very little to do with the potential toxicity of the vaccines, and just about everything to do with what I believe about the immune system.  I wanted my kids to have their systems intact.  I wanted them to be properly challenged so that they could experience the benefits of childhood diseases.  No, I would prefer they did not have polio or tetanus, but I didn't feel that they were at risk for either, and became educated on pros and cons of the vaccines and weighed risks against benefits.

I believe that when properly supported our bodies will look to heal.  I believe that there are many things that can impair this ability and believe wholeheartedly in cultivating wellness, rather than avoiding disease.  I take action on a daily basis to provide a situation in which our systems are not stressed, are adequately nourished, and fill in any gaps that seem to exist.  This way if and when we do catch something we are in a good position to handle it with minimal discomfort. 

I do believe there is value in getting sick.  I think it's important for our immune systems to exercise.  I don't try to squelch each and every sniffle-but I do stay on top of things so that they don't have to progress past the initial "battle" if you will.  The care I try to provide is supportive, not suppressive.  I'm saying this only to let you know there are many ways to think about this situation.  Good luck!

[deditus]

Originally I didn't vax because I was less than thrilled with the ingredients in vaccines. My dp's family also has a history of vax reactions so I that played a part. Of course, this decision was made before I knew of dd's intolerances.

Now I feel that I fundamentally disagree with the premise of vaccination and it's interference with our innate immune system.