[MomofMusa]

My sister and I had a conversation once about vaccinations. I shared that my Musa has not been vaccinated since 8 months, he's now 33 months.. She asked what about the other children he will eventually come in contact with.. He'll make them sick. I asked aren't vaccinated/ immunization shots suppose to protect. No, she said. Getting my son vaccinated protects others from the disease(s) becoming much worse.. We never finished this conversation.. Well, a few weeks back a co worker said the samething to me. Vaccinations stop the disease(s) from becoming worse.<br><br>
I really don't have a very strong defense except recalling afer getting his 4,6,8 month old he would get sick and act funny/ spacey like. I know each time it scared me and had me crying to God.<br><br>
My experience would be met by.. Oh, that's typical..<br><br>
Anyone ever ran against this with family and others?

 

[caned & able]

Doctors and others say this to non-vaxing parents like you when the scare tactics of the dangers of the vaccine preventable diseases do not change your mind.<br><br>
It is called the herd theory of immunity.<br><br>
You should know that stage 4 cancer patients and organ transplant patients and their families are admonished to keep RECENTLY VACCINATED children AWAY, not unvaccinated children.<br><br>
And stop discussing your child's vaccine status. It is no one's business.

 

[Chloebelle]

This is why I don't talk to people about my vaccination choices.<br>
People are incredibly misinformed about vaccines. You will hear all kinds of ridiculous "facts" thrown at you.<br>
Arm yourself with as much information as possible and stay out of vaccine conversations, at least until you feel confident with your facts.<br>
Based on what you said about your son's reactions, you made the right choice to stop vaccinating!

 

[lmk1]

Do they mean that vaccinations stop the virus from mutating? I think there's a balance between what's good for the individual and what's good for the public. Ask these people if ALL their decisions are based on public good? For example, not buying a lot of toys or electronics and living very simply so as to avoid having more landfills. Do their kids not watch TV, so as not to "waste" electricity and energy? There's endless ways in which you can benefit the rest of humanity; vaccinations are only 1 factor (and that is if you accept the idea that they work, etc, which is not relevant to my argument above.<br><br>
And as the pp suggested, you don't really have to discuss your child's vaccination status with anyone, unless you're up for an argument <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile">

 

[ammiga]

I would hold a discussion with my sister about this. I care about her children and understand why you discuss it with her. It's not like this is a situation where you are debating people online or upset moms in a playgroup.<br><br>
In response to your sister's question, I would ask her specifically which diseases she is referring to. You might find she is talking about pertussis, and the vaccine doesn't prevent transmission. Or she might bring up polio, which hasn't existed here in 30 years. Or hep b, which isn't really spread through casual contact.<br><br>
I'm not sure what to say about vaccines stopping diseases from becoming worse. I think vaccines may make diseases become worse, through serotype replacement and weakened immune systems. If you mention serotype replacement, maybe you will get someone else thinking about the effects of vaccinating on mutating viruses.

 

[Bokonon]

I would say...<br><br>
If your child is vaccinated, and you are confident that vaccines are effective, then why are you worried?<br><br>
or<br><br>
I'm responsible for my child's health. Not anyone else's.<br><br>
or<br><br>
Are you up-to-date on your booster shots? Most adults aren't, and therefore are just as likely to transmit VPDs as non-vaccinated children.

 

[Marnica]

Herd immunity has been discussed numerous times here. If you do a search I bet you could spend the next week reading about herd immunity and opinions from both sides of this arguement.<br><br>
Your sister is just regurgitating what she has been told by other ill-informed people (including alot of doctors sadly).

 

[MomofMusa]

Thanks, moms..<br><br><br>
I agree.. I'll keep my mouth shut on this subject with friends and family... <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/thumb.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="thumbs up">