Every year, the State tries to intimidate us into vaccinating our children. This year, the form even forces us to sign that we understand we are putting our children and other children at risk. I am not going to get into the politics of it. I just want other parents to realize you DO have a CHOICE.
Whether it be gymnastics or swimming classes, day care or preschool, the YMCA or church, we jump through the same hoop. We bring the State Immunization Form to a notary, sign it, get it notarized, and hand it in. That’s it. We have never been told our children couldn’t participate in ANY activity due to not being vaccinated.
This is what we believe is the right decision for OUR children. I would NEVER force my beliefs on others. My DH is in the natural health field and has researched and continues to research this issue extensively. (Disclaimer: not giving professional advice here…see next paragraph.)
The best advice I can give is to do your research, talk to YOUR doctor and arrive at a decision that makes sense to YOU. We have friends who don’t vaccinate at all, some who spread out the shots, and some who follow the exact schedule recommended by their pediatrician.
We have found a wonderful family practice doctor who respects our wishes and does not pressure us into anything. She works with us regarding natural alternatives and homeopathic solutions whenever practical. In the end, I have never doubted this decision and feel strongly that we have made the right choice for our boys.
17 comments:
with all of the thoughts around what these might cause...i do believe you are making a wise decision...
@ Brian
Thanks. I appreciate the support. I'm just trying to let parents know they have options and to not be pressured.
This is something I have been struggling with lately. I know littlest is already almost 2, but I know there will be more vaccines to come. I thought it was so cruel when they had to give her 4 shots at a time! I told a friend of mine who's baby has EB that she didn't have to let them give him all of the shots at once the way they do. That poor little guy goes through enough pain as it is.
I have already made the decision that my oldest (or youngest when she gets that age) will NOT be getting the HPV vaccine that they are trying to force us to do here in Texas. She won't be in any position to be contracting it at 12, so there is no reason for her to get it.
Good for you for sticking to what you believe in!!
Good for you CM! Although we have followed pretty traditional vaccine schedules for our kids, I feel very strongly that parents should be educated and not afraid to question what goes into their child's body. You should have heard the firestorm in my circle when I spoke out against not only the H1N1 vaccine, but flu shots in general! Woo-eee...anyway, good for you (again!)
Wow! You have to complete that form every year?! Interesting...
It's not like you didn't get it the first time. Weird.
I feel the exact same way. I usually dread the topic whenever it comes up because all I get are negative comments.
Like you, we have 2 alternative medicine people in the family. A Registered Dietitian turned Natural Health Dietitian and an Oral Surgeon turned Natural/Alternative health guru. Our research has lead us to NO. Perhaps when he's older we will give him a few, not sure just yet, but he's definitely not getting any vaccines within the first couple of years.
If ever you (or your DH) comes across new articles, I'd be interested to read them.
Oh - and our Peds is awesome as well. Once we had a discussion as to why we didn't want to vaccinate Owen, she felt confident that I actually had done my research and she was ok to just point out (from her point of view) the advantages and disadvantages. She stopped when I countered each one with my own "advantage and disadvantages" of getting the shots :) But she just said, "You know where I stand, I know where you stand. If ever you want to start giving him shots, bring it to my attention and we'll figure out a plan". She has not mentioned it since. And I thank her for that
that's not an easy decision to make
our youngest daughter was reacting quite heavily to vaccinations and we were thinking about skipping them - but in the end, the doctor talked us into doing them..
I grew up in a 3rd world country. A country where mothers would have given just about anything to have had a choice--to vaccinate their child or bury that child who died from a disease that could have been prevented. Public health goes a long way in teaching proper hygiene and water preparation--something Americans rarely think twice about--but there are some things only a vaccination can prevent. We're very much a global community now. Diseases previously labeled as "3rd world problems" arrive on our soil daily. To me, the risks of vaccinations are nothing compared to the risk of my child either becoming seriously ill or dying due to something I could have prevented. It's certainly not something I go into blindly though. We all refused the H1N1 vaccine last year--after researching and talking to our doctors, my husband and I just didn't feel it necessary to take the risk of a live vaccine.
way to go. my kids haven't been able to attend one preschool in OK due to no vaccines. people have NO idea that legally they CAN go to public school in some states with the proper forms!!!!! this includes doctors, nurses ect.
Oh, golly, CM, I love the 'attitude' of Sprout. It is so cute when they start to let us know they have an opinion on things ... chuckle! He is so adorable.
This is such a tough issue & you are right, everyone should be aware of their options & rights, which of course is usually a lop-sided one way opinion/demand. I agree it should be a parental choice, not a public demand.
Actually, I exposed my children to the childhood diseases in our day & was highly criticized for doing so ... I have no regrets, the children are fine.
Have a beautiful holiday weekend, sweetie.
TTFN ~Hugs, Marydon
Good for you for doi g what you feel is best.
I'm in Ontario, Canada and am the proud new mom of a 2 month old.. and I hate the thought of giving her vaccines because I also have done research. I thought it was manditory until Angie sent me the link to this blog and I looked and sure enough we have these forms in Ontario as well. Thank you so much for posting this..!
Good for you! We are delay/spread out/& refuse people. We delay most, spread out ALL and refuse some. I read a book "The Vaccine Book" by Dr. Robert W. Sears and it gave us a better understanding of what each vaccine is, what it is made of, and what the risks of getting/not getting the vaccine is. Our family doctor is on board with our decision...we got rid of our ped. all together as we couldn't agree on vaccines or breastfeeding.
I applaud you for sticking to what is right for you! Everyone needs to make the decision that's best for their own family and even within a family, it could be different.
Thankfully we still have a choice here in Minnesota as well Last year's H1N1 scare made me a bit nervous with the talk of mandatory and even forced vaccinations in some places... I'm so glad it wasn't used as a reason to increase rules and laws about other vaccination requirements.
Yes, parents should have the right to decide what is best for their own children. After all, they are the ones who have to live with the results of their choices. Will all that is implied these days with possible causes of autism, I have no idea what I would do if I were a mom of a little one today. You have even more stress and pressure on you then I did 25 years ago. Lovely blog and even lovelier family you have. Enjoy. Looking back from this side of life, gosh, it went by in a blink. **blows kisses** Deb
Great post! I have certainly struggled with this since having Brad and the guilt I feel for either vaccinating or not vaccinating. It is so hard and I have read so much online my eyes were burning!
I did have him get his 2,4 and 6 month shots (all the while praying that God would keep him safe) but I declined varicella and MMR. I really wish he could get chicken pox naturally but it seems no one has it now a days... I told his Dr. I was holding off on those two until he was two years old but when his appointment comes up in a few months I'm going to tell him no. It's so hard. I feel guilt from both sides. I feel guilty for having that injected in my son and then guilty that he might be exposed to a horrible disease if I decline a vaccine. I'm still deciding what I want to do for myself even with vaccines that I need updated.
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