Reply With QuoteWow, as always this topic brings up so many emotions for people.
There are a couple of points that have been made that I would like to comment on. I quote from my first post:
We live in a very different society to what we lived in 100 years ago. We have soap, warm water, safe drinking water, access to medical support, nutritious food and importantly access to information and education. Some cultures dont' support submitting their children to vaccination at birth or even in the first year. Is it Japan who dont offer routine immunisations until 18 months? I think it is but correct me someone if I am wrong.
Folk have pointed out that access to these basic needs don't make us immune to disease. I was not making that point. I am no bunny I know we can't live on love and booby milk alone! The point I was aiming to make was that not having nutritious foods, healthcare, clean water and education put society at a higher risk. This is a fact.
Anyone who has travelled or worked in a third world country knows this. Untreated and disease laden water, little or no vitamin content to food etc hightens the risk of contracting disease. Cross infection due to unsanitary conditions etc. Rotting human waste. It is disease city and common illness wipe out villages literally in a sneeze. We are blessed not to have to live in those conditions.
Now, I don't think we need to rely on our good fortune. We are simply by birth (many of us) fortunate not to have to live in those conditions. I think immunisation is valuable. Talk to any elderly surviver of polio. However, I question that we immunise our children so so early in their little lives. As I said, many countries do not support this and their disease rate is certainly no higher than Australia. In order to be protected as a society from disease we need the immunisation level to be higher. We are not in Australia at a high enough rate to be covered as a society. However, does that mean that our newborns need to be vaccinated? See, I think not and that is okay. Others here are very passionate that they do and that is okay.
To throw in a curly one: I wonder in a home where intravenous drug use doesn't take place why a baby needs to be vaxed for hepB at 3 days post birth? None of the reasons given are good enough for me. One of the major reasons given is that very young babies are going into childcare and this protects babies from contracting from other babies via saliva, possits etc. I can see if your baby were to go into early care that it may be a consideration. However, why else is this required so early in life?
I understand about immunosuppression. First hand a good friend has a child with diabetes. When he gets ill his blood sugar levels are very difficult to maintain. He contracted Chicken Pox from his immunised friend! He wasn't vaccinated against chicken pox as he was only 14 months. So, you see there are variations.
Someone pointed out that parents have to show a card if their children are not immunised. I have never known that to be so. Our eldest daughter goes to a state school and there is no such card. She went to C&K kindy/preschool and a catholic school for 1 & 2 and never once was I asked to show a card. Nor was she asked to stay home when there was an outbreak. I think what you may be referring to is a "Conscientious Objection Form". This is required by the federal government in order for families of non imunised children to receive the "immunisation rebate". This is basically a form that is filled out with your doctor and signed by both parties. It shows that a parent fully understands the decision that has been made.
My decision to not immunise my children as babies is not because I don't want them to get a needle. It's what's in the needle that is being given at such a tender age that I am concerned with!
Christy, I am glad you made the points you did. I was concerned at a comment somewhere along the lines that people from other countries need to be immunised - there is in place a check of immunisations from countries wehre the immunisation level is low. There seemed to be a suggestion that there should be mandatory immunisation.
That is one way of dealing with this... However, where would we be if the government decided what is best for us? To play devils advocate if I may... We live in a democratic nation and we need to maintain that right to personal choice, belief and religions. (I believe...) What if the government decided that no-one should have epidural in vaginal birth (don't laugh it's a statement that has been brought up in health policy!) Or, what if the government had the ability to overturn an individuals (adult) right to discontinue medical treatment. Or for a Jehovah's Witness (adult) to be forced to have a transfusion against their wishes. These are things that some of us as individuals may not agree with or even understand. However, I would challenge that we need to respect an individuals right to make decisions. These are all issues that come up in medical ethics. Some of you would be mortified that that choice was taken away. I would encourage people in our society to think very hard about having choice taken away from decisions made about our children's health.
Education is far more powerful than force...
Someone made a point about feeling unhappy about comments that a child was too precious. I very much felt like that with my kids. That doesn't mean your child isn't. It means for me that is how it was. No child is more precious than another - however when they are your own those decisons are not made lightly and without laborious thought. Some children unfortunately don't have 'minimal' reaction to immunisation...
Just in all debates (think pro/anti circumcision) the pro anti immunisation one has some pretty out there claims on both sides. This always has the ability to inflame the most level headed and eloquent of us. HOwever, I think we all need to remember that we are operating out of love for our kids. When a family researches, listens to their gut, balances up their own family history (in my case I was advised not to immunise until my daughter was 2), then the decision is right for them. Personally I am immunised and have had horrendous reactions. Due to working overseas though they were necessary. I was a grown up and able to withstand it. Of course I wouldn't have 'left home with out them'.
Let the debate continue! - respecting always the differing views and places that we all come from..
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