vaccinations---pros and cons

[lorihadams]

I am in a dilemma. My children were on a regular vaccination schedule until my daughter was 15 months old and my son was 3. They have not received any required immunizations since the doses from those ages.

My BF has told me that if I do not continue to get them vaccinated that I cannot be invited to her house whenever there are infants because of the health risk (nevermind that we have been there for the last 2 yrs without). Anyway, my question is this:

Should I allow my children to get the vaccinations they need to catch up to the recommended schedule or are they okay with the vaccines they have received so far?

 

[PamsPride]

I don't vaccinate my kiddos.
I guess I would not be going over to my 'friends' house if that is the attitude they had!
Even my ped doc who gave me the riot act about not vaccinating my baby girl said "They only vaccinate them with the hepatitis shot when they are babies because teenagers don't generally go to the doctors and I have only heard of one case of a child getting it!" This was AFTER she talked until she was blue in the face and made me sign a waiver saying she discussed all the implications with me and that she did not want to be held responsible yada, yada, yada!
When people ask if my kids are up to date on shots I just simply say "Yes" because they are as up to date as they are going to get!! (I just leave out the 'because' part!)

 

[DrakeMaiden]

I think you may want to consider reading up on each vaccine and making the decision for each one individually, based upon perceived risks. If you want to read up on the various vaccines, I would recommend The Vaccine Book, by Dr. Sears. It will tell you the ingredients of each vaccine, possible side-effects of the ingredients, how risky the disease being vaccinated against is (how many cases there are per year and how deadly the disease is), etc. so you can make informed decisions.

I personally don't understand your friend's stance, as vaccinated children should be "protected" (assuming she believes the vaccines are effective and thereby worthwhile getting).

 

[patandchickens]

Wow, that's an unusual attitude for a person to take -- especially considering that it is not like your kids are UNvaccinated, they are just unBOOSTERED for some things and have not received every bloomin' vaccination on the market.

I am not going to argue pro or con because I think that is a personal choice (although I will add that I am in favor of *some* vaccinations, but against [in some cases, *way* agaings] most others in most situations).

But my suggestion would be, re-research the issue, and then make your decision on which if any further vaccinations to get based on what YOU think, not on what one individual tries to strong-arm you into.

It would be unfortunate if she *did* say you can't come over there any more, or not at some times, because of the vaccination thing -- and might be worth suggesting SHE read up on it more, and perhaps providing helpful CDC-type info on the particular diseases/vaccinations she feels you are lacking in -- but, there is a limit to how much you can do to change someone else's mind. And it seems to me that where kids' health is involved, you should do what YOU think is right.

Good luck,

Pat

 

[patandchickens]

I personally don't understand your friend's stance, as vaccinated children should be "protected" (assuming she believes the vaccines are effective and thereby worthwhile getting).

Because the friend said "infants", she may be thinking of situations where the baby has not yet *been* immunized against <whatever>, or not enough time has elapsed for good immunity?

Not that I agree with that attitude, but, you know.

Pat

 

[TanksHill]

Hi Pam, long time no see!!!

Sorry Lori, I don't have an opinion on this.
g

 

[Wifezilla]

If her kids are immunized, why would it matter if yours aren't? Is your "friend" normally a jerk?

 

[emilosevich]

I don't vaccinate my kiddos. Well even that isn't entirely true, my daughter has some of vaccinations, but my son has none. I wanted to wait until my children were a year and after a year of fighting with the doc every time we went in. The doc finally called us and said that they would no longer see us because of vaccination choices and partially because of our birthing choices.
I think you should make a decision that is best for you lori. Please research and be informed. Don't just do it because of your friends threats. The truth is if other kids have had the vacc. then they shouldn't be bothered by it and most small babies should still be receiving antibodies if they are breastfeeding. My sis's boyfriend kind of pulled the same deal on me with my kiddos and we just decided not to visit them.
My friends don't tend to have problems with it because most of them don't vaccinate either and I'm assuming the ones that do just don't think to ask.

 

[abifae]

does her kid have a major auto immune issue she hasn't told you about? lol.

does she say which vaccines she's concerned about?

i got all my original vaccines but no boosters til high school (required for an out of country trip).

 

[mandieg4]

I think you may want to consider reading up on each vaccine and making the decision for each one individually, based upon perceived risks. If you want to read up on the various vaccines, I would recommend The Vaccine Book, by Dr. Sears. u

I agree with this book recommendation no matter what you decide. My kids are vaccinated, but with only select vaccinations and on a delayed schedule.