Monday, January 28, 2013

DO THE RESEARCH

Every parent wants what is best for their children, right?

This past weekend, I was able to attend a talk on childhood vaccines.
  There is so much surrounding the issue and there have been so many changes over the past decade regarding the schedule and number of vaccinations and so forth and so on that it is hard to know what is truth, when everyone has a bias in one way or another.  
It is a hot topic.

On our end, children 1-4 have been vaccinated to date, but on a modified schedule.
We did not give them the cluster shots, but spread them out over a time period.
Number 5 has not been vaccinated.

Did you know that NJ has one of the most rigorous vaccination schedules for children?
Did you know there is no proof that vaccinations make for a healthier person?
Do you know what is IN those vaccinations?
Did you know that the story of Raggedy Ann is based on a vaccinated child?
Did you know that vaccines can be linked to many different illnesses/diseases/conditions?

Did you know, other than a medical exemption (which is extremely difficult to obtain), the only other exemption NJ accepts is a religious exemption?  Look up NJ vaccination laws sometime, I found it rather comical.  "They" cannot question you at all and have to accept your exemption as long as you mention something about religion, even if you are not "religious" per se. 

There was so much in the 2 hour talk..
I wish I had been able to take notes, but I had a two month old in my arms.

Yes, this person was passionately biased against vaccinations.
I understand that.
It is a personal decision for every family and so, so important that no matter what you choose to do, you are informed in your decision.  

Here are some websites and books on the subject 
(compiled by the speakers, not me!)
in case you wish to do some research.


Vaccine Epidemic edited by Louise Kuo Habakus & Mary Holland
Vaccines:  Are They Really Safe and Effective?  by Neil Z. Miller
How to Raise a Healthy Child in Spite of Your Doctor by Robert S. Mendelsohn, MD
Vaccination is Not Immunization by Dr. Tim O'Shea
Vaccination:  100 Years of Orthodox Research by Vera Scheibner

There is so much more that can be said on the subject, but I'll leave it there--for now.

What do you think?  Do you vaccinate your children?  Were you vaccinated?
Strong feelings either way?  Not sure?
Let's talk about it.

I certainly do not have all the answers.
Just getting my feet wet.

1 comment:

Trevor & Jill said...

Hey Stacie! Thanks for posting this! We have not had any of our kids vaccinated. We really looked into it when Hannah was born. I was for it, Trev was not. So we REALLY looked into it! LOL I am more suprised all the time, how nasty people can get towards you when you dont vaccinate your kids! ITs ridiculous!!And when we go into the ER and they ask if your child is up on their shots and you say "no, they havent had any" you can tell they are trying very hard not to stare at you as they ask you the same thing again," so they havent ever had any??" lol makes life interesting at least! Anyway to put down my thoughts on vaccination in brief I would say this. I think there is more chance of harm in getting them than there is in not getting them. But, yes, very, very hot topic!! Glad to see more people are starting to think twice!