not vaccinating does not equal anti-vax

[purslaine]

Not vaccinating does not equal anti-vax.

I have read twice today about "anti-vax" posters on MDC, but most posters who do not vax on MDC do not self define as anti-vax.  I think the word "anti-vax" gives a false impression of what many  non-vaccinating posters really believe.  In this era of bickering, I think understanding where people are coming from can only be helpful.

Here is a link if you like:

http://www.mothering.com/community/t/1354698/anti-vax-non-vax-pro-safe-vax

Edited by purslaine - 6/18/12 at 2:46pm

[AdinaL]

Interesting and good point. Respecting someone's self definition/identifiction goes a long way toward furthering good discussion.

[eireann]

So true. I am not anti vax. Choosing not to do something for yourself or child doesn't automatically mean you are "anti." I think it's easier for people to label someone anti because they need to compartmentalize that which they don't understand fully.

[MamaMunchkin]

Not vaxing also does - not - equal anti-science.

[Bokonon]

Originally Posted by MamaMunchkin 

Not vaxing also does - not - equal anti-science.

[GnomeyNewt]

Originally Posted by MamaMunchkin 

Not vaxing also does - not - equal anti-science.

Thanks for saying this! And also thanks kathymuggle for the link to the other post. It's that time again for me to read up on vax'ing as I do every few months...

[Viola]

I think there are two camps.  Some people believe that vaccines don't work, that the fall of diseases like small pox and polio are unrelated to the development of immunizations. I generally think of that group as more anti-vax due to the way things are phrased--generally that there is no reason to immunize, often with the attitude that people who do so are ignorant.  

And there are people who feel like it's more a personal decision and feel that there are risks associated with vaccines that they aren't willing to take, and the benefits do not outweigh the risks.

When people are rude about those who choose not to vaccinate, and make dire pronouncements and snarky comments, I do usually bring up the fact that some people don't believe vaccinations are effective, and that their arguments wouldn't hold water with them.

[eireann]

Originally Posted by MamaMunchkin 

Not vaxing also does - not - equal anti-science.

EXACTLY. Thank you.

Likewise, someone who vaccinates their child doesn't make them any more "pro science" - or informed, or right, or researched, or frankly smarter - than someone who doesn't vaccinate. Not by a looooooong shot.

[ma2two]

Originally Posted by eireann 

Likewise, someone who vaccinates their child doesn't make them any more "pro science" - or informed, or right, or researched, or frankly smarter - than someone who doesn't vaccinate.

It also doesn't even necessarily mean they are pro-vax. They could be just going along with what everybody else does, or they never think to question their doctor, or they are afraid to question their doctor, or they think their kids can't go to school without vaccines, etc.

[purslaine]

Originally Posted by ma2two 

It also doesn't even necessarily mean they are pro-vax. They could be just going along with what everybody else does, or they never think to question their doctor, or they are afraid to question their doctor, or they think their kids can't go to school without vaccines, etc.

Good point - and probably one to ask those who self-identify as pro-vaxxers.  

Is anyone who follows the vaccine schedule pro-vax, or is it a bit more than that?

[prosciencemum]

Originally Posted by kathymuggle  

Is anyone who follows the vaccine schedule pro-vax, or is it a bit more than that?

Interesting question. I would say someone who is pro-vax is someone who is aware of how vaccines work and thinks they save lives. They probably understand there can be side effects, but believe the  benefits out weight the risks. They are also likely to disbelieve many of the more controversial claims over vaccine risk (such as MMR autism links, that thimerosol content of vaccines is dangerous etc). I have yet to meet a working scientist (many of my friends are scientists because I am one) who doesn't consider vaccines to be one of the major medical science achievements of humanity.

So I suppose that means I don't think the majority of people who fully vaccinate their children but don't really think about the decision should be called "pro-vax". 

My question for this thread - what set of beliefs would identify a person as "anti-vax"? 

[purslaine]

Originally Posted by prosciencemum 

My question for this thread - what set of beliefs would identify a person as "anti-vax"? 

To me "anti" means against.

I am not against vaccines.  I think they have done a lot of good in this world, and some bad.  

I think vaccines are an appropriate choice for some people, in some places, with some diseases.  

If I were anti, I would want vaccines gone - and that is not true.

[musingmama]

Originally Posted by kathymuggle 

To me "anti" means against.

I am not against vaccines.  I think they have done a lot of good in this world, and some bad.  

I think vaccines are an appropriate choice for some people, in some places, with some diseases.  

If I were anti, I would want vaccines gone - and that is not true.

I am not against all vaccines.  I weigh all the benefits and risks and their effectiveness IMO for each vaccine.  We decided to do the tetanus /diphtheria only for my oldest son when he was two, and will probably do the same for my 13 month old who is unvaxxed so far.  I've been researching and reading both sides since I was pregnant with my second again as I did with my first.  For me if I am anti anything it is that I am anti- authoritarian.  I make up my own mind with a lot of reading, research, thinking, and discussion.  There is no area of my life where I do something just because I am told that is what I should do...  I do not feel that my opinions and decisions are superior, but that they are right for me and my family.  To each their own. 

I have talked with several friends who have vaxxed with the schedule but were not really happy about it.  They felt pressured to do so.  A close friend told me how awful it was to go through with her first(a lot of inconsolable crying and rough nights afterwards)  and that she really didn't want to vax another child.  But a few years later when she had another child she did vax on schedule again because she said her doctor pressured her and she thought it was necessary to enroll in school.  She isn't pro-vax but didn't want to rock the boat.  She felt the benefits outweighed the risks in the end, I suppose. 

So, there is a huge middle ground between being anti-vax and pro-vax and I think that is where a lot of us are. 

[prosciencemum]

Originally Posted by musingmama 

So, there is a huge middle ground between being anti-vax and pro-vax and I think that is where a lot of us are. 

Absolutely.