Question re: my unvaccinated teens

[teens]

Hi - I'm new here. I have two children 10 & 14. When they were little we chose not to vaccinate for many reasons including a plethora of autoimmune diseases in our families. But, lately I've (not my hubby) been reconsidering vaccination. The reason: we are having to fully rely on many doctors for our health right now. I have a very rare autoimmune disease and my children are both seeing specialists for specific health issues. I feel deeply like my integrity / belief systems are being challenged by the need to put my trust in these doctors hands so fully, yet not do their basic suggestions like immunization.

Also, if we do decide to immunize I want to have a game plan. The second our family doctor sees weakness in my eyes re: immunizations it will be all over -- he'll have vaccines blazing.  I need a plan. Please share your thoughts with me. Be gentle.

[Mirzam]

I have two unvaccinated teens also, 15 and 13. There is no way I would ever vaccinate them if they had "health issues", quotation marks are because you don't specify what health problems your kids have.

What vaccine available diseases are you actually concerned about at this stage and how would they impact their health, given their issues? 

[teens]

Thanks for your response. My 14 yo is having migraines and my 10 yo is having drastic vision loss. We are seeing specialists for both and neither has been "solved" yet. I have no idea where this "fear" is coming from. Perhaps it is just anxiety about what is happening and realizing all the things there are to be afraid of. I have NO real reasons... Thanks for asking that question. I'll have to really do some soul searching. I think I am just wanting to protect them right now somehow...and that is exactly why I didn't vaccinate in the first place. Such an odd - at odds - sensation...

[Marnica]

Sorry your kids are having health issues, but (and I say this gently) vaccinating for the reasons you have provided don't make any sense to me. Perhaps I am misunderstanding. Here is what it sounds like you are saying.

Because you are seeing these conventional medical doctors and placing trust in them concerning these other issues, therefore you feel that you have to do the same in regards to vaccines. Is that right? if so respectfully that makes no sense!! That is an awfully black and white approach. You can trust, follow, and accept the recommendations and advice of a doctor sometimes for some things and not others. That is perfectly acceptable. YOU know your children best and if you chose not to vaccinate them I assume it was after much research and for good reason. Now if you have reevaluated and done additional research and you feel for specific reasons that there are some vaccines you would want to do, than that's ok too. However it sounds like your reaction is more emotional and it is stemming from fear related to these other problems which have nothing to do with them not being vaccinated. This is NOT a good reason to vaccinate. I'm sorry you are struggling with this and hope you can come to an acceptable choice for your family!

As an aside - have you thought about taking your teen with the migraines to an ND for a different perspective? 

Also if you do decide to do some vaccines. Do your research and go in to your family doc stating which ones you will be getting and don't leave room for him to try and convince you to do more. Don't allow yourself to be bullied or swayed. 

[teens]

You called it. Thank you.  Great advice. 

[emmy526]

i also have teens 19,17 with chronic health issues as well...migraines, deviated septum, hearing loss, IBS and tumors....i would NEVER consider vaxing at this point in their lives...there's too much unknown to even consider it.   theres no way to know how much damage they could possible do at this point.  At least i know that not having vaccines didn't cause the issues, and their issues have nothing to do with vaccine damage....

[teens]

Thank you for your input. That is an excellent way for me to view this! I really appreciate all the responses. I really needed a pep talk today. :)