To Vaccinate...or Not?

This isn't a "this is the only way" kind of blog.

In fact, this stems from the fact that everyone, or most people, have an opinion one way or another. Most people tend to voice that opinion without thought to people around them. Oh, many THINK they are being thoughtful or that they are "just voicing an opinion" but there are some pretty blanket statements that are very unfair to those they are about. It is such a touchy subject because these are our children. These are huge decisions we make that affect their lives and someone is voicing an opinion that second guesses that we are doing what is best for our children. Dare I say, sometimes even goes as far as to say we are harming our children.

My opinion on what many pediatricians think is that they spout what the CDC tells them, what they have learned in classes, and sometimes, the bottom line-income. *Note that I am not saying all or most.

I understand pretty much every perspective (I think). I understand the parents who do not vaccinate at all. Have you ever looked at the ingredients in vaccinations? Here is a link to the CDC ingredient list. http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/pinkbook/downloads/appendices/b/excipient-table-2.pdf Many parents weigh the balance of what is being put into their child's body with the vaccine, along with the statistics of the disease and make their decision based on that.

Still others have a moral opposition to animal products being injected into their body. The CDC says "Chemicals commonly used in the production of vaccines include a suspending fluid (sterile water, saline, or fluids containing protein); preservatives and stabilizers (for example, albumin, phenols, and glycine); and adjuvants or enhancers that help improve the vaccine's effectiveness. Vaccines also may contain very small amounts of the culture material used to grow the virus or bacteria used in the vaccine, such as chicken egg protein." http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vac-gen/additives.htm

Others have no issue with that but rather take issue with the fact that some vaccinations are made using the cell lines of aborted babies. Again, see what the CDC is quoted as saying about culture material above. There is question what those potential human cell products COULD potentially do when injected in the human body. There is also the moral aspect for some people who cannot ethically/morally utilize vaccinations that were "created" using the cells of a baby that was aborted. Here is the most up to date information I can find on that subject http://www.cogforlife.org/fetalvaccines.htm

Other parents look at the statistics and say even that little chance of their child being infected is not worth the risk and choose to fully vaccinate their children.

No matter what you choose, it is a personal decision for a family and to simply state that people who choose to do otherwise are ignorant, in fact shows ignorance on that individual's part. No matter who you are and no matter what you choose, DO YOUR RESEARCH!!!! If you have not done your research you have even less right to tell someone that what they are doing is wrong.

And remember, whether you choose to vaccinate or not, your Dr. makes YOU take responsibility either way. You either understand that the vaccinations COULD harm your child or you understand that you could be putting your child and other children at risk by not vaccinating (and let me tell you, the refusal to vaccinate sheet they make parents sign is enough to send many parents on a guilt trip). They don't, however, always tell you that the vaccinations your child receives sometimes can shed, which means that when your child gets certain vaccines they could pass that disease on to some one else who is not protected for whatever reason.

I won't tell you what is right or wrong because I can't. All I can do is research, research, research, weigh the options, pray about it, and make a decision on what is best for my family. All I ask is that you do your research too. There is more then the CDC out there to inform you on things so go farther then that and weigh your options.


*I am sorry. For whatever reason the link feature is not working properly.