[Whirled_Peas]

It is so sad that people are called selfish because they disagree with others. No matter what their personal thoughts, convictions, or concerns. No matter what information the accusers do not have.

If you are concerned that your child will get a vaccine preventable disease, vaccinate it. Hope that you don't have any major reactions (short term or long term,) and hope the vaccine "takes." Then trust in your god or whatever that what's best for your child will happen. If that's not enough guarantee for you, put your kid in a bubble. There are plenty of other scary diseases out there right now that are not vaccine preventable. And be very careful about what you feed your kid, because who knows what long term problems you'll find from the chemicals that are added to the food. By the way, don't put your kid in a car, either. You have no guarantees about the other drivers you may encounter on your trip across town or that you won't have a flat tire that leads to a fatal car crash.

As far as "suing" a daycare or family regarding diseases that are spread via unvaccinated children or those whose vaccines don't "take." Every state allows exemptions for medical reasons and most allow for personal and/or religious reasons. So, there is no legal basis for a lawsuit.

I don't want any child, mine or yours, to have disabling diseases. However, it is my responsibility to make my decisions for my child based on what I think is the best for our circumstances.

So please, let's agree to disagree. So far, the only people I see slinging insults are the pro-vaccine people. I obviously did not make the same choice you did, but that doesn't mean your choice was wrong. For arguments sake, let's say I do not agree with your choice. If that were the case, at least I would believe you did what you thought was best for your child. As a parent, that is priority #1. And, if your choice keeps my kid from getting chicken pox (and I have some major concerns about the varicela vaccine,) I am not going to blame you or sue you that my child is at risk for problems down the road because he did not get chicken pox as a young child. I am just going to accept that sometimes life and society happens no matter how much we feel injured by it.

[Whirled_Peas]

So here's a major beef I have with the medical world and vaccines.

Doctors almost always say, "Vaccines are perfectly safe."

Umm...Now I can't trust what they say. Refer back to my post about the Congressional fund that pays huge sums of money for children injured/killed by vaccines. If they are perfectly safe, this fund would not exist.

So, when the medical world starts saying, "Vaccines are safe for most children, though some will have major problems, but we feel the effects on society are greater than the risk to any given individual," then my distrust will decrease greatly.

By the way, I understand that some vaccines (hepatitis A, Hep B, polio, and varicella) are made from aborted fetal material. I am not taking a stand on whether that is acceptable or not. I do think it means that we, as a society, should have a discussion on whether it is acceptable to give vaccines made in this manner AND whether it is acceptable to give the vaccines without disclosing this information.

[jules17]

I personally read every vaccination debate with great interest. For us, we watch very carefully what is introduced into our sons' environments...whether it be vaccinations, nutrition, toxins, TV, etc. ad nauseum.

Now, for the vaccination debate, I will be the first to throw my hands up in the air and say "I don't have the answers. I do a heckuva lotta' research, but I don't have the answers." We have vaccinated our sons, except for the MMR. We are going to wait for a bit and then space that out. Flame away if you must, but it won't change my decision.

I mean this with complete respect and curiosity - for those of you that say there is no link between autism and vaccinations/MMR (or thimerasol) - what is your theory for the skyrocketing autism rates? I did a master's project on autism and the escalating rates are mindblowing. Again, I most sincerely mean that out of respect and I hope it is received as such.

I like this website that I got from a friend. In the interest of full disclosure, she does have a son with autism and is VERY involved in vaccination research as it relates to autism.

Vaccination Autism

The thing that bothers me so greatly is how many people just "hand" their power over to medical professionals (and, yes, my husband is a medical professional and I STILL don't do it.) You must do your research! At the end of the day, every medical expert is a human being first. And humans make errors.

[Whirled_Peas]

Originally Posted by jules17

I mean this with complete respect and curiosity - for those of you that say there is no link between autism and vaccinations/MMR (or thimerasol) - what is your theory for the skyrocketing autism rates? I did a master's project on autism and the escalating rates are mindblowing. Again, I most sincerely mean that out of respect and I hope it is received as such.

When we had the autism scare with our son, we asked the development pediatrician about vaccines. This is her area of expertise. She told us, "We do not know what causes autism, so I can not say if vaccines will cause it or not."

I consider her to be a wise woman.

Regarding the autism page, Jenny McCarthy and a panel of medical experts were interviewed on Larry King. It is a really interesting interview and can be seen on You Tube. Because it's an hour or so, you have to watch 4 or 5 different clips to get the whole thing.

[SupaModel]

Originally Posted by Whirled_Peas

It is so sad that people are called selfish because they disagree with others. No matter what their personal thoughts, convictions, or concerns. No matter what information the accusers do not have.

If you are concerned that your child will get a vaccine preventable disease, vaccinate it. Hope that you don't have any major reactions (short term or long term,) and hope the vaccine "takes." Then trust in your god or whatever that what's best for your child will happen. If that's not enough guarantee for you, put your kid in a bubble. There are plenty of other scary diseases out there right now that are not vaccine preventable. And be very careful about what you feed your kid, because who knows what long term problems you'll find from the chemicals that are added to the food. By the way, don't put your kid in a car, either. You have no guarantees about the other drivers you may encounter on your trip across town or that you won't have a flat tire that leads to a fatal car crash.

As far as "suing" a daycare or family regarding diseases that are spread via unvaccinated children or those whose vaccines don't "take." Every state allows exemptions for medical reasons and most allow for personal and/or religious reasons. So, there is no legal basis for a lawsuit.

I don't want any child, mine or yours, to have disabling diseases. However, it is my responsibility to make my decisions for my child based on what I think is the best for our circumstances.

So please, let's agree to disagree. So far, the only people I see slinging insults are the pro-vaccine people. I obviously did not make the same choice you did, but that doesn't mean your choice was wrong. For arguments sake, let's say I do not agree with your choice. If that were the case, at least I would believe you did what you thought was best for your child. As a parent, that is priority #1. And, if your choice keeps my kid from getting chicken pox (and I have some major concerns about the varicela vaccine,) I am not going to blame you or sue you that my child is at risk for problems down the road because he did not get chicken pox as a young child. I am just going to accept that sometimes life and society happens no matter how much we feel injured by it.

My intent was not to personally sling insults. I'm just stating how I feel and what I would do if I found myself in that situation.

I can agree to disagree but if anything happened to my child then that's a whole other story.

Again i'll never apologize for that.

[jules17]

Yes, I saw the Larry King you are referring to.

As someone studying to be a psychologist, I always have to know "why"?

And my questions about autism are no different.

Why?

I don't think there is some vast conspiracy; rather, the experts are working with what they know now.

Medical literature is absolutely brimming over with treatments developed to help, but had horrific side effects as well. And it takes time to establish a clear link. I am sure the Drs. that prescribed thalidomide to their pregnant patients meant no harm. I am sure the Dr. who told my mother that hormone replacement therapy was "highly unlikely" to increase her risk for breast cancer meant no harm either. But she did get breast cancer. And now the link is common knowledge.

[SupaModel]

BTW... when my friends bring their children around DS and know that their child has a cold etc... and still let them touch on DS. I get very upset and i think they're being selfish too!!

DS is only 5 months and I know he will get sick and he already has been but even I wash my hands everytime I pick him up. Also when he's sick I do warn other mom's in our play group because I would'nt want to get their child sick either. That just common courtesy.

[ProspectiveSingleMom]

I think I'm confused. Are we talking about children who are as-yet unvaccinated (i.e. haven't gotten to the age for a specific vaccine or finished the series yet) being exposed to illness? In those cases then you'd want to know if a child is exposed to a carrier, which is why outbreaks get media coverage and anyone who was known to have had contact with an infected individual is directly notified. If the vaccine works, you shouldn't have to worry, and if you are concerned, you should request a titer. I've had titers for hep. B and MMR and know that I am immune to all, so I would and do feel 100% comfortable coming into contact with someone who has any of those illnesses (though of course use precautions to prevented spreading to others who may not be immune).

[ProspectiveSingleMom]

On the issue of splitting the MMR vaccine into it's three components -- I totally agree with that being an option. I had rubella when I was three weeks old (lived in a poor area where lack of access to healthcare was common). It was very mild (as it usually is in babies) and the only "treatment" I needed was staying home until I was better. Then, when I got to whatever the age is for the MMR vaccine, I got that. So, in my case, the rubella portion of the vaccine was completely unnecessary, yet there was no other option available at that time.

[Whirled_Peas]

Originally Posted by ProspectiveSingleMom

On the issue of splitting the MMR vaccine into it's three components -- I totally agree with that being an option. I had rubella when I was three weeks old (lived in a poor area where lack of access to healthcare was common). It was very mild (as it usually is in babies) and the only "treatment" I needed was staying home until I was better. Then, when I got to whatever the age is for the MMR vaccine, I got that. So, in my case, the rubella portion of the vaccine was completely unnecessary, yet there was no other option available at that time.

Actually, rubella is pretty mild for everyone except developing fetuses. Then it can be horrific.

The split dose MMR is a good option. It can be a pain to get it in split doses. I think they tell you how to do it on askdrsears.com.

[sbaglio]

Jules17, if vaccines cause autism, why doesn't EVERY child who gets vaccinated, develop autism?

I sincerely wonder if some still think that the world is flat. No amount of evidence would make you change your minds, obviously.