Undecided

[jendean]

Hello :)

I have heard most major points on both sides of the arguments, but would like to hear some moms who have gone before me and some objective ideas on whether or not to vaccinate my son.  

I have a 12 year old daughter who received all her shots years ago.  I never asked questions.  I just knew I was supposed to.  Now, my husband and I are trying what to do with our 6 month old son.  He hasn't had any vaccines, but we also know people that have suffered from diseases such as polio and don't feel like that is worth the risk of not getting the shot.  Help!

[Eligracey]

I think you're absolutely right to worry about the risk of getting vaccine preventable diseases. Some of them are really, really scary.

[Turquesa]

Originally Posted by Eligracey 

I think you're absolutely right to worry about the risk of getting vaccine preventable diseases. Some of them are really, really scary.

Well, she just said that she's heard most of the major points from both sides. I'm going to go out on a wild limb and guess that she's already heard that one.

JenDean, we go on an alternative schedule. The Vaccine Book by Robert Sears was our launching pad, but we also looked at research (with the caveat of competing interests), the CDC's Pink Book, vaccine package inserts (I can't C&P, but they are available online), and data on disease occurance, vaccine risk, etc. DH and I prefer primary sources to all of the ideologue sites, e.g. preachy pro-vax sites, hysterical and inflammatory anti-vax sites, cocky and cynical "skeptic" blogs. Also, while I learn a lot on MDC, I'd definitely recommend against using this as your only source.

Consider not just the available science, but the gaps therein. Finally, familiarize yourself really well with the Centers for Disease Control's Catch-Up Schedule, which dictates very specific spacing for the shots.

Doing this research requires a lot of legwork, but it's worth it if it means being confident in your decision. Good luck!

[Mirichka]

I am in the same boat.  Though we have a four year old that received some vaccines, we now have a six month old who hasn't received any yet.  I am willing to go ahead and do the research you outline.  However, Turquesa, since it seems you've done your research well, do you think you could share some of your wisdom?  It seems unfortunate how polarized this issue has become so that parents are left really confused:(

[dontVaccinateMe]

i dont vaccinate any of my kids, dont need to, its not natural, its not organic

herbal remidies and alternative medicines all cure disease (accapuncture, herbs, urine therapy, yoga)

[emmy526]

http://vactruth.com/vaccine-inserts/

Here are some questions to answer for yourself in deciding about vaccination:

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.

Here are some sources to help you out:

Vaccines: The Risks, The Benefits, The Choices 1/18 DVD, By Sherri J. TENPENNY-http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OORHqEedtUY



http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/mmwr_wk.html (download the current issue)

http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/pinkbook/pink-chapters.htm

http://vaers.hhs.gov/pdf/PackageInserts.pdf

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=7018835240451107552&q

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-6351515212287981735&hl=en

http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/pinkbook/downloads/appendices/G/cases&deaths.pdf


WHO GRAPH-http://apps.who.int/immunization_monitoring/en/globalsummary/timeseries/tsincidencepol.htm


Beyond Conformity Resources Page- http://www.beyondconformity.org.nz/resources

Do you have a quick-fire summary?- http://www.beyondconformity.org.nz/questions#

Inside Vaccines- http://insidevaccines.com/wordpress/

http://childhealthsafety.wordpress.com/graphs/

http://het.sagepub.com/content/early/2011/05/04/0960327111407644.full.pdf+html
http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/pinkbook/downloads/appendices/G/cases&deaths.pdf

http://vaers.hhs.gov/index

http://www.thinktwice.com/sids.htm

[Chicharronita]

Great information emmy! 

As for #21, isn't there a way to find out how many reported cases of diseases there were in your city? Depending on where you live a lot of them may be very low. 

[IdentityCrisisMama]

This thread has been moved because it does not fit with the guidelines of Mindful Vaccination. It is better suited for:

Vaccination Research for Beginners - Here information is shared but not debated. This is a comfortable and welcoming forum for people who are new to the vaccination decision and want to ask questions and get the resources and information  they need to make their own informed decision.  

Please check the Vaccination Forum Guidelines for more information. 

Carry on... 

[emmy526]

Originally Posted by Chicharronita 

Great information emmy! 

As for #21, isn't there a way to find out how many reported cases of diseases there were in your city? Depending on where you live a lot of them may be very low. 

call the state or local health depts and ask for stats on VPD's..