How do you handle nagative comments about your choice?

[loulabelle]

Hi everyone,

For those of you who have chose not to immunise, how did you handle the criticism from family, friends and the medical profession?

After one negative comment from a doctor, I have taken to saying that I plan on waiting until my DS is over one.He is now getting closer and close to one and I have no intention of immunising him.

Just curious to see what other do in this situation.

Laura

[Antheia]

Before i would have just ignored it but im getting so sick of everyone having their own negative opinion and expressing it to me. So now i just say, look i'm their mother, i've done my research and it's my choice. I don't tell you how to parent, so you have no right to tell me how to. Or something alone those lines. It may be harsh but it gets straight to the point and i don't say it in an angry tone as such.

[maybub]

I can totally relate to your pain and we should all be entitled to our own decisions without debating each time the topic comes up. I believe 'Immunisation' should be added to the list of things NEVER to be discussed - sex, religion, politics, immunisation - hehe.

[Ellibam]

i always say 'we havent ruled immunising out but at this stage we want her immune system to build up naturally.'

i do know if there was an epidemic of something i would be more inclined to do it.... if i thought she would get exposed.

our pead was fine with it to and just said if ever she has a high temp and we are really worried about what it might be then take her straight to A&E and say this is un-immunised child and they are likely to do lots of tests rather then being fobed off...

[Nelle]

Yeah I just say, well we're not vaccinating them at this stage, but we might as they get closer to primary school. Because, for us, that's true, I didn't see the sense in vaccinating my 6 month olds, but a 3 or 4 year old might benefit from a tetanus shot perhaps...I will make that decision later...

[JellyBean]

Hi there.
I feel you!!! I personally do not go to GPs - (haven't been to a doctor in years and don't intend to go to one again if i can help it), so i don't have to worry about them nagging me about my choice not to vaccinate. My sons chief health advisor is my Naturopath and she is BRILLIANT. A true miracle worker.... anyways, to answer the question....
I find it really pays somewhat the get as educated as you can with the reasons why people choose not to vaccinate. (I.e- be able to list the ingredients to people and tell them what exactly they are, and what short and long-term effects they can have on the body).
Letting people know where and how the vaccines are cultured is also a good thing to know.
For example, when my MIL (a staunch catholic) made a negative comment for not vaccinating DS, I responded; "did you know that numerous vaccine viruses are cultured using the cell lines from aborted and discarded human fetuses?" Needless to say, that shut her up good and proper. Little did she know that she had been indirectly supporting something that she believes so strongly against!!!! I told her that if she's interested in finding out more, I have a whole army of unpleasant truths stuck up my sleeve!!

It sucks, I know- but you just have to stick to your guns, and say confidently that you have made your decision after thoroughly examining sound evidence-based research. I usually find the ones who criticise the most are the ones who know the least about vaccination. They have their blinkers on when it comes their GP - he may be dressed in white- but he is certainly not God and his word is not gospel!!!

[HotI]

Letting people know where and how the vaccines are cultured is also a good thing to know.
For example, when my MIL (a staunch catholic) made a negative comment for not vaccinating DS, I responded; "did you know that numerous vaccine viruses are cultured using the cell lines from aborted and discarded human fetuses?" Needless to say, that shut her up good and proper. Little did she know that she had been indirectly supporting something that she believes so strongly against!!!! I told her that if she's interested in finding out more, I have a whole army of unpleasant truths stuck up my sleeve!!

Just to clarify this point (for reader's here, not for the MIL).

Human cell line cultures are used to produce the rubella vaccine virus that is used in MMR and single rubella vaccine. "Some of these cell lines originated from aborted fetal tissue, obtained from legal abortions in the 1960's. No new fetal tissue is needed to produce cell lines to make these vaccines, now or in the future. Fetal tissue is not used to produce vaccines; cell lines generated from a single fetal tissue source are used; vaccine manufacturers obtain human cell lines from FDA-certified cell banks. After processing, very little, if any, of that tissue remains in the vaccine."

Cell lines are self sustaining. As long as they are at the right temperature, and given the right food, they keep splitting and are able to keep growing and growing. So, the original cell may have come from an aborted fetus, but they don't need to keep getting tissue from fetuses in order to continue making the vaccine.