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Vaccinations: The Controversy

24 Responses to: “Vaccinations: The Controversy”

1. Jill responds:
   Posted: March 24th, 2008 at 8:43 am →

   If more parents don’t vaccinate, these diseases *will* make a comeback. Scary.

2. Computer Addict responds:
   Posted: March 24th, 2008 at 12:22 pm →

   Parent’s who decide not to vaccinate, knowing that this puts others in jeopardy, are criminally negligent. Once we start suing them, you’ll see these “personal reason” exemptions go away very quickly.

3. JustMom responds:
   Posted: March 24th, 2008 at 9:20 pm →

   There is a strong link between vaccines and autism. You should educate yourself more before writing.
   Know Vaccines

4. Concerned Dad responds:
   Posted: July 17th, 2008 at 8:15 pm →

   This article is full of misinformation and a complete lack of data which is needed for an informed decision on whether or not to vaccinate. Statements are which have no basis in fact. There was no mention in the article of thimerosal (ethyl mercury) and the fact that is is used as a preservative in the vaccines. Most pediatricians will spout the same information at uninformed parents.
   ” It contains the same amount of mercury as a can of tuna so it is fairly safe.” They say it like they are more informed than you and deflect the fact that a can of tuna has 20 mcg of mercury while just one typical vaccine has 25 mcg of mercury. If you child is getting more than one vaccine that day, you are then multiplying the levels of mercury. What the the EPA/FDA/CDC say about that so-called “safe” can of tuna? they suggest that pregnant women, women who are nursing, and infants should not eat tuna because of unsafe mercury levels. Why is mercury safe in a vaccine when it is not safe when in a can of tuna? Safe levels of mercury are .1 mcg per kilogram of weight of the person exposed to mercury. Some children receive 15 vaccination in one visit, so even if only 4 of the vaccines contain mercury, the child will be injected with 100 mcg of mercury. if the child is 20 pounds, the safe level is .8 mcg. 100 mcg of mercury is 125 times the safe level of exposure. Ask your self if you would take a syringe with 100 mcg of mercury and let a physician inject it into your child because he told you it was safe? Do you need a degree to know that mercury should not be injected into a child? Will you still inject your child with mercury because the government/state/medical organization/judge/news program/blog says that since other kids were injected with it, you should do the same?

5. Olivia Shasta responds:
   Posted: August 4th, 2008 at 10:58 am →

   Well, to the comment above about criminal negligence…hmmm? I had my fully vaccinated child in kindergarten; he “got” MRSA from another child in his classroom that had a known, diagnosed case of MRSA. The parent decided to bring the child to school the next day, and my child got it. The MRSA later became a septic, toxic, systemic infection. He ended up in the ICU for 12 days and almost died. So, should I be able to sue her? Absolutely ridiculous! Unfortunately there are diseases out there that cause harm, sometimes fatal harm. The law (sir) states that she was within her right to bring her child to school, she was not required to disclose her child’s condition. She was terribly irresponsible and it lead to my child being seriously harmed. The law states (in several states) that we are allowed to make the decision for our children. Also, my child was diagnosed on the autistic spectrum. Because I was pressured to vaccinate, I HAVE HAD TO DEAL WITH MY CHILD’S ISSUES, NOT THE SOCIETY!! Should I be able to sue my pediatrician that pushed these vaccines on my child because they put him in jeopardy? Until you have dealt with a sick child from something you are “supposed” to do for their health, perhaps you need to keep your comments to yourself!

6. MomGrind responds:
   Posted: August 4th, 2008 at 11:28 am →

   Hi Olivia,

   Thank you so much for taking the time to add your own perspective to the discussion.

   I edited the end of your comment just a tiny bit because while I encourage discussion and disagreement, I also encourage my readers to refrain from personal insults.

   I am SO SORRY about what you’ve been through. I just can’t imagine how hard it must have been. And you are still dealing with autism. My heart goes out to you. This certainly shows that there are still many unanswered questions surrounding the issue of vaccines. Parents are doing the best that they can to protect their own children, but there’s still the issue of responsibility towards the general society. I was trying to address this issue here.

7. Colleen J responds:
   Posted: August 4th, 2008 at 11:49 am →

   Good day- To Jill and Computer addict, if your kids are vaccinated…how are the catching the illness from my un vaccinated kid? Isn’t that what the vaccine is for…to protect you from getting the illiness? Doesn’t sound right. As for vaccination. I have not vaccinated my “school” age children in 3 years. My youngest who is 5 was in and out of the hospital since day one. She has S.I.D., autism, leaky gut, gastro issues that of a 80 year old, food intolerances (not allergies). She has had 19 ear infections, 6 bouts of croup, 5 cases of pnunemoia, 7 yeast infections and 4 UTI’s. Again…SHE IS 5! Her immune system sucks. Wanta know why? The shots. Too many too soon. I am all for vaccines and the saftey they bring. But 24 before a baby turns 2 is too many. Why are that many necessary in such a short time? Why? I will tell you why. MONEY!! That’s it plain and simple. I am 36. Before I turned 6 I had a total of 6 vaccines. Never went to school with anyone with sever food allergies, never went to school with an autistic child…and yet we were fine. So, again the questions all mothers have who have a sick child, why so many so quickly?
   To computer addict…really you jumped right to sueing or jail time. And you think that faced with that I would make the decission to poison my child. Is that what you are saying? I have to tell you that they tried to jail parents in Maine early this year. I WOULD GO TO JAIL BEFORE I LET THEM STICK MY DAUGHTER AGAIN WITH ANYMORE SHOTS. Money is a non issue with me. Sue if you want. You won’t get much since my daughters medical bills are running in the $100 of thousands. So, before you open your mouth again on a topic it is odvious you know nothing about, get the facts.
   The pharma industry needs to rethink what they are doing. In 20 years we are going to find all these kids who had no autistic symptoms, are sick too.
   I love my kids, and do anything for them…that includes educating myself on what the are being injected with. Get the facts straight. Ask questions.

   Thank you for your time, Colleen

8. MomGrind responds:
   Posted: August 4th, 2008 at 12:38 pm →

   Hi Colleen,
   Thank you for your comment. I am very sorry about everything that your daughter is going through.
   The question that you are raising – the amount and spacing of vaccines – is a very important question.
   I think one of the things that worry parents who do vaccinate, is that some of the vaccines don’t fully protect, and so vaccinated children could still get sick if they are exposed to sick children. Full protection is only achieved if everyone is vaccinated.
   Thanks again for your comment. My heart goes out to you and to your family.
   Please keep the discussion going, here and elsewhere. It’s an important one.

9. Sara responds:
   Posted: December 15th, 2008 at 7:43 pm →

   We should all consider why we feel safe in not vaccinating our children. In our grandparents’ generation, great numbers of people were dying from many of the diseases we immunize for today. We don’t know what we are missing. The diseases have not been eradicated and would return if we dip below “critical mass.” We must all educate ourselves on the subject and advocate for safer vaccines. We shouldn’t have to choose what we decide to be the lesser of two evils.

10. Jillian mom of three unvaccinated responds:
    Posted: January 11th, 2009 at 2:33 pm →

    I just want to challange everyone to take the time to educate yourselves. Don’t trust what anyone tells you TV, Dr’s anyone. Know for yourselves. The highest percentage of unvaacinated children come from wealthy college educated homes. The highest percentage of fully vaccinated children come from low income sometimes less than high school educated parents. While I am not wealthy I have taken the time to educate myself about the issues so I can make my own informed decisions instead of relying on someone else.

    Educate yourselves about the so called “deadly” childhood diseases. Things like rubella often go undetected in children when contracted at the appropriate natural age and offer lifetime immunity. While things like chicken pox and measles, mumps and rubella are being vaccinated for with waining immunity in the teen years when the diseases are most severe and cause severe complications like sterility and birth defects. If the mothers of unborn babies had rubella as a child they wouldnt have to worry about being exposed while pregnant because they would have undeniable lifelong immunity.

    I believe so many are willing to take chances with vaccines because they have such an inflated fear of the vaccine preventable diseases. Well nourished healthy children fare very well with these diseases which then have lifelong immunity no taking chances over and over again with vaccines and boosters.
    The children that may not fare well with the diseases are the same children that are at increased risk of vaccine injury.

    There are so many issues surrounding vaccines (safety, ethics, autism) if you eliminate the fear of the vaccine preventable diseases and educate yourselves on how to build a naturally superior immune system capable of quickly and effectively fighting disease without complication you eliminate the need to take chances with the vaccine. Everyone is at risk of vaccine injury, not everyone will contract the diseases and at that most who do will do so without complication.

    Breastfeeding is the most excellent way to build a healthy immune system for your child. Breastmilk has been proven to keep many vaccine preventable illnesses at bay. Breastfed babies enjoy immunity from HIB for up to 10 years after being breastfed. Most vaccine preventable disease is most dangerous under the age of two,breastmilk protects greatly against these things. And to comment on someone elses statement that most unvaccinated childrens parents were vaccinated and are just fine I was not and am just fine too.

    I have lots of detailed information to share if anyone is interested I would be happy to share with you. I have 3 very healthy unvaccinated children who rarely are ill and suffer little when they are. I welcome any questions about the subject.

11. MomGrind responds:
    Posted: January 12th, 2009 at 10:27 am →

    @ Sara: I agree this is a choice between the lesser of two evils. I also agree that people don’t realize how devastating some of these diseases can be.

    @ Jillian: You sound like a loving mom who made the best choice for her family. My only concern is, what would happen if everyone stopped vaccinating. Wouldn’t you be worried about your child contracting polio, for example?

12. Jillian mom of three unvaccinated responds:
    Posted: January 13th, 2009 at 9:30 am →

    No I wouldnt really be concerned about my children contracting polio for that reason. I beleive that herd immunity is a farse. Do you know the history of the term “herd immunity” ? It was originally used in 1933 before there was a measles vaccine to describe the natural phenominon observed that measles outbreaks did not occur in communities where atleat 68% of the population had natural immunity to measles. The term was later used in the vaccine industry to say that unless they achieved a 95% vaccination rate outbreaks would still occure. This is a number they picked there are no studies to prove this.

    I am personally very offended by comments like Amanda Peets that parents who dont vaccinate are like parasites. My children do not enjoy a healthy life because they are living off the sacrifices made by those who vaccinate. Ofcourse I always worry about my childrens health and well being but I do not worry that if enough people do not vaccinate that these diseases will make a huge comeback. I do however worry that we may be keeping some of these disease around that may have naturally run their course without the tampering of vaccines, or that we are turning mild childhood illnesses into something more severe when contracted later in life.

    There has not been a naturally occuring case of polio in decades. While other horrible diseases like Cholera have disappeared with no vaccine at all. I am concerned that continued injection of diseases into our children is using them like a petri dish to grow unnatural mutated versions of these diseases that do not respond to conventional treatment. It is happening with the overuse of antibiotics the diseases are changing themselves and becoming resistant why not with vaccines ? We now have atypical measles (that only the vaccinated can contract) there is also evidence of other vaccine preventable illnesses morphing into strains that are no longer covered by the vaccines and that are more difficult to treat.

    Why do cases of pertussis continue to rise even though we are adding more shots ? Because the vaccines are not covering the strains in circulation ? We are ruining natures design by tampering with it and wreaking unknown havoc. Although the theoretic idea of vaccination may have its place in modern medicine, it is ridiculous in its current inadequately studied injectable state. Why would we want to induce immunity through methods of injection bypassing most of the bodies natural defenses the parts that usually mount an immune response like the skin, mucous membranes, tonsils, and intestines.

    The body uses about 4% of its resources to fight off a natural infection thus not overloading it and about 70% when it is injected into the bloodstream. The body has no time to gear up to fight the disease it is suddenly overwhelmed and creates an exaggerated response, just like autoimmune diseases. Aside from all this we are falsely led to believe that vaccines in their current state are actually confering immunity when our only measure of this is antibody presence in the blood. There is by their own admission no relationship between antibody presence and clinical immunity (not being infected when exposed to the disease)
    So What Happens if People don’t Vaccinate? Are the unvaccinated really infectious?

    According to Archives of Disease in Childhood, vol. 59, no. 2, February 1984, pp. 162-5): ‘Severity of whooping cough in England before and after the decline in pertussis immunisation’, “Since the decline of pertussis immunisation, hospital admission and death rates from whooping cough have fallen unexpectedly… The severity of attacks and the complication rates in children [who were] admitted to hospital were virtually unchanged. There has never been one double-blind controlled study of vaccinated vs. unvaccinated children. Why? The medical profession say it is unethical to withhold vaccination from children. Therefore they cannot gain an accurate indication of what health is because everyone is getting the shots and suffering colds, ear infections, eczema, asthma and there is nothing to compare it with. If they did do a study, they would undoubtedly find the unvaccinated are healthier and maybe that it why they refuse. There are plenty who choose not to vaccinate they would not be withholding anything, I have three children to study myself.

    My children do not suffer repeatedly with the usual colds, ear infections, coughs etc that are so common to most children. I truly believe that is because their immune systems have been allowed to develop as nature intended and faced with something like the comeback of polio I believe they would stand a much better chance of suffering a mild case without complication. Polio ranges from flu like symptoms to paralysis. Unfortunately naive populations (those not exposed to the disease) sometimes suffer more severe cases when not exposed to the virus as children. Continuing mass vaccination of our children may actually be causing more harm than good.

13. Jillian mom of three unvaccinated responds:
    Posted: January 13th, 2009 at 9:43 am →

    copied from:
    Polio

    Who gets polio and who is at risk of the disease?
    Where there are poor socio-economic circumstances and poor sanitation and hygiene, the virus is potentially present year-round. If polio is endemic, people can acquire a natural immunity since they are exposed to it as children, often getting the mild form of the illness. In these circumstances, the paralytic form of polio is usually seen only in children less than five years old. In outbreaks in naïve (previously unexposed) populations, the disease will affect all age groups.

    The disease spreads primarily through the “faecal-oral route”. In the context of an outbreak this usually means that infected faeces has contaminated the drinking water supply. It can also spread within households through poor hygienic practices that allow faeces to contaminate food or drink

    At least 80 to 90% of cases of infection with the polio virus result in a minor illness. These are usually in young children and the illness is mild, with a sore throat, slight fever, malaise, headache and vomiting which develops three to five days after exposure to the virus. The child recovers within 24 to 72 hours.

    What is the outcome of polio?

    In the mild illness, recovery is complete. Recovery is also complete in the more serious form of the illness with aseptic meningitis but without paralysis.
    Death occurs in a small percentage of cases of paralytic poliomyelitis, the highest risk being in those with respiratory paralysis. In those who recover, a high proportion of persons are left with some degree of disability.

    Most function returns within the first six months after the illness, but improvement may be seen for around two years.

    A rare complication is called postpolio syndrome and is seen in people who have suffered the paralytic form of the illness. This can occur many years after the attack and is seen mainly in older and more severely affected people. The symptoms and signs of this are muscle fatigue and decreased endurance capacity. This can be accompanied by weakness, twitching of the muscles (fasciculation) and wasting in selected muscles.

    considering all the known adverse effects of vaccines and the fact that you know everytime you inject them there is a risk I will take my chnaces that they may never come in contact with polio and if they do 80-90% of the time they will suffer with an illness that is less severe than the common cold. This website also notes that the complications of polio are often seen in older individuals so if we werent mass vaccinating our children and allowing them to experience the mild 24-72 hour illness they would not be as prone to the complications as adults becuase they would have already aquired 100% effective natural immunity. Yes there are always the risk that the mild illness could be complicated suffering some adverse effects but there is also that risk with vaccination as well.

14. MomGrind responds:
    Posted: January 13th, 2009 at 10:06 am →

    Thank you, Jillian, for your detailed comments. I’m glad we’re having this conversation. It’s an important one.

15. Jillian mom of three unvaccinated responds:
    Posted: January 13th, 2009 at 11:27 am →

    @momgrind
    I’d honestly like to hear more about your decision to vaccinate and how you came to that choice ? I am constantly looking for new information and welcome any you have to give as well.

16. MomGrind responds:
    Posted: January 13th, 2009 at 11:55 am →

    I’m sorry, Jillian, but I won’t be able to continue this discussion. The point of this article is not to win an argument. It is to present the topic and to open it for discussion. This is an article I wrote months ago: I have more recent articles on this blog that I need to respond to now. I pretty much said everything I had to say in the article itself. Needless to say, you, and anyone else, are welcome to continue the discussion and to share your own opinions and the results of your own research. All the best, Vered (aka MomGrind).

17. Jillian mom of three unvaccinated responds:
    Posted: January 13th, 2009 at 12:02 pm →

    sorry wasnt trying to cause a problem, and really didnt think i was trying to win an argument. This is an individual choice that everyone must make my choice is not always the right choice for everyone based on their own circumstances. Your original article doesnt really address the specifics of why you made your choice. I just thought that this is a decision to be continually reassesing and wanted your input didnt mean to cause a problem just looking for your input.

18. Carolyn responds:
    Posted: March 12th, 2009 at 9:03 am →

    Jillian – you are clearly well-educated on this subject, and all that you have presented mirrors the research I have been doing, as I am attempting to navigate these murky waters. (I have a 9 week old, and we have declined the first round of shots, and are on track to decline them forever.) I think it is also important to NEVER deny the “mama instinct” – I had a visceral reaction to the idea of injecting my little, tiny baby with known poisons, in the form of metals and weakened diseases. I don’t think a 2 month old has had a chance to properly develop a normal immune system, and the powers that be want us to flood this undeveloped system with toxins – it just doesn’t make sense to me, so its not for my child, thank you very much!

    I am breastfeeding, and plan to do so for years, BUT, we take my little one to a small daycare (he is one of 6 children in a private home) 20 hours per week, during which time he is bottle fed with pumped breastmilk. I assume your healthy, unvaccinated children did not attend daycare and were exclusively on the breast?

    I would love to hear from you! Thank you for this informed discusson!

19. Jame responds:
    Posted: April 21st, 2009 at 6:50 pm →

    in your statement you say
    “One study found that doubling the number of non-vaccinated individuals would increase the risk of measles in vaccinated children anywhere from 5–30%.”

    this comment makes NO SENSE.
    if your so gun ho about vaccines and your so sure that they work and the doctors say they work
    how come i would increase the risk of my classmates who are vaccinated

    what’s the point of the vaccine if im gonna make everybody sick…
    and i tell you what…..

    even if vaccines had no side effects, if someone offers you two apples, one that’s man-made and genetically altered and one that is naturally grown from the ground, which one would you choose?

    i mean seriously open your eyes it’s that simple.
    vaccines are just a billion dollar money game.

20. jame responds:
    Posted: April 21st, 2009 at 7:29 pm →

    “I completely understand parents’ fears: the possibility, even if remote, even if unproven, that choosing to vaccinate your children would cause irreversible damage to them and ruin their life is devastating”

    well that’s not necessarily the case. i choose to not get vaccinated for the mere fact that everyone is different.
    we, as in america, take the time to realize that medicines are not for everyone, but we act like all children have a tolerance to vaccines, like its a ONE SIZE FITS ALL thing, and its not.
    there is a possibility to get vaccinated and live life perfectly healthy, i am not denying that.
    i just choose to trust in whats given to me.
    i choose to take the side of natural and cautious.
    and the risks are far greater then they tell you.

    also There is no law that enforces the mandatory use of any vaccine in the United States. Enforced medical treatment is an assault and a violation of the 14th amendment. everyone has the right to say no

21. Melissa responds:
    Posted: June 24th, 2009 at 9:20 pm →

    I have a 9 week old and I have refused vaccines for him. I was abrubtly kicked out of the pediatric practice and I cannot find anyone in my area that will treat an unvaccinated child. Is this legal? Why am I being punished for such a decision? I can’t imagine that doctors are allowed to refuse treatment and punish a baby for the parents decision. How will I ever get him needed medical treatment when no doctor will allow him in their practice?

22. MomGrind responds:
    Posted: June 25th, 2009 at 7:57 am →

    There was a recent, interesting article on BlogHer about the subject. In essence it said that there really is no link between autism and mercury in vaccines (since autism rates are rising even though mercury has been taken out of vaccines several years ago), and that vaccinating your child is your ticket for entering the modern society with all its services and privileges.

    Vaccines: Yes, Just Yes

23. Healthy Eating For Kids | responds:
    Posted: July 1st, 2009 at 9:35 am →

    [...] Related reading: Vaccinations Teaching Kids About [...]

24. JT responds:
    Posted: November 3rd, 2009 at 12:34 am →

    “In essence it said that there really is no link between autism and mercury in vaccines (since autism rates are rising even though mercury has been taken out of vaccines several years ago), and that vaccinating your child is your ticket for entering the modern society with all its services and privileges.”

    Hmmmm…mercury or thimerisol, as its derivative is labelled, was withdrawn from vaccines around 2000 in Oz, but stocks that were on hand were not discarded, but used up, and in many countries thimerisol is still used in vaccines…
    As to having ‘my ticket for entering the modern society’, I think I pay my taxes to get that, sweetpea…

    I have a right as a parent to make informed health choices based on research, fact and observation. My children and I no longer receive vaccinations. WE are healthier than we have ever been. I see that families who are vaccinating their children to ‘protect’ them from illness, are still having to go through the normal routine of childhood illnesses, and then they are spoonfed another round of fear and aggression towards people who choose not to vaccinate and instead take full control and full responsibility for their health and the health of their families.
    Logically, how can it be right to inject anyone with a live virus and then accuse someone who has not received the injection with being responsible for infections? Kind of baffles one doesn’t it?
    I’d LOVE for someone to actually answer that simply and directly because in 6 years of asking it I’ve never received a straight answer from anyone in the medical fraternity.
    Question: do vaccinated people become ‘carriers’ for viruses?

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