Should I vaccinate?

[Toddster]

I was vaccinated by my parents, but should I vaccinate my children? I have looked at studies for both sides, and frankly, I am leaning strongly towards yes. Is this a good idea?

[SilverMoon010]

This is a loaded question.  Only you can answer that question from what you have researched.  You will get a very strong mix from both sides on this forum.  I don't think it's a good idea to base your decision on other's ideas about vaccinations.  You need to come to that conclusion on your own. JMO. If you have specific concerns about vaccines or about certain diseases, then ask away, but no one can answer the question you posed above.

[laohaire]

Originally Posted by SilverMoon010 

This is a loaded question.  Only you can answer that question from what you have researched.  You will get a very strong mix from both sides on this forum.  I don't think it's a good idea to base your decision on other's ideas about vaccinations.  You need to come to that conclusion on your own. JMO. If you have specific concerns about vaccines or about certain diseases, then ask away, but no one can answer the question you posed above.

I totally agree. No-one can make that decision for you.

Since the topic is so polarizing and debated, you have to come to your own conclusions.

I have opted to stop vaccinating but I applaud you for making an informed decision. I'm aware that my decision is not guaranteed to be the best decision, but it's the one I feel most comfortable with. And I think that's all any of us can do, really.

[ammiga]

Weigh the risks of vaccinating against the risks of not. Include everything you can think of from disease prevalence, vaccine reactions, likely severity of the disease, breastfeeding, known allergies, access to medical care, long term effects of vaccines or disease, etc. Do this for each disease, not vaccinating as a whole.

[SpiderMum]

We looked at each disease individually and ultimately decided not to vaccinate. You have to research this and decide for yourself though. Never just follow a crowd.

[ema-adama]

Originally Posted by Toddster 

I was vaccinated by my parents, but should I vaccinate my children? I have looked at studies for both sides, and frankly, I am leaning strongly towards yes. Is this a good idea?

You already have received good advice here.

Your question is too broad IMO. I am not sure if you are asking whether to follow the CDC schedule or whether you are asking if any vaccines have any worth.

There are no guarantees either way. You need to make the choice that leaves you the most at peace.

[emmy526]

Some things to consider about vaccinating:

1. Name of the disease
2. Description of the disease 
3. Length of time from initial infection to end of all symptoms
4. Infectious period
5. Normal symptoms of the disease
6. Known serious consequences of the disease
7. Proportion of persons infected developing serious consequences
8. Transmission route of the disease
9. Prevalence of the disease
10. Treatments of the disease and efficacy of those treatments
11. Relevant research about the disease
12. Name of the vaccine
13. Company that makes the vaccine
14. Contents of the vaccine
14A. The significance of whether or not the vaccine is live
15. History of development of the vaccine
16. Known side-effects of the vaccine and rate of incidence of those side-effects
17. Possible side-effects not yet acknowledged by the vaccine maker
18. Relevant research into the vaccine
19. How effective is the vaccine at preventing the disease?
20.What is the vaccine meant to do? (Many vaccines are not meant to prevent infection or transmission).
21.Number of cases reported each year.
22.Number of deaths reported each year from the vaccine and natural disease

http://www.whale.to/vaccines/ingredients1.htmlhttp://www.whale.to/vaccines/ingredients1.html

http://www.vaccineinfo.net/immunization/vaccine_facts.shtmlhttp://www.vaccineinfo.net/immunization/vaccine_facts.shtml

[miriam]

To Todster:

Make the decision that you can live with, because you will. 

[mamakay]

Asking about "vaccines" in general is like asking about "technology" in general.

It's like asking "Should I use technology?"

Every vaccine is different. Some are extremely effective, and some aren't. Some have few if any downsides, some have lots. To make an informed decision, you have to look at it disease by disease and vaccine by vaccine.