why did you choose not to go ahead with vaccination/immunisation
hi all
i am meant to take DS for the 1st round of these in about 3 weeks and i am wanting some info on the pros and cons. I know it is a controversial issue and i dont want to start a big debate but if you could share why you chose not to vaccinate that would be helpful. I am asking for the reasons why not as I guess DH and I have always assumed we would do this and so I am now looking for arguments the other way to ensure we are aware of all issues...
If anyone who chose TO vaccinate and has strong opinions/reasons this is of course also welcome.
Many thanks.
Why I chose NOT to vaccinate
I chose early on that I was not going to vaccinate my kids, for various reasons. They will all be administered homeopathic prophylaxis kits (alternative to vaccination).
Years ago, a lady who I went to uni with claimed her daughter had become completely despondent (non-verbal) after having a seizure a few hours after her MMR at age 1, and was later diagnosed with autism. Previous to this incident she was a very bright, bubbly, talkative child. This started me doing research into vaccines, and I was ashtonished to find hundreds of parents who had similar stories, and had started refusing vaccines because their instinct told them that something wasn't quite right.
Not long after I joined the AVN email group (Australian Vaccination Network), which reports cases of adverse vaccine reactions, amoung other things, in their monthly online newsletter, 'Informed Voice'.
If you are interested in finding out out more about why parents choose not to vaccinate- see the article here on belly belly (click on 'articles' on the the homepage) titled 'Ten Reasons Why Parents Choose Not to Vaccinate'. That will give you some idea. I won't go on about the details here as I'll be here all day!!
I also highly recommend you google Jenny McCarthy and Autism - you will see her discussing her view on vaccines and her previously Autistic son on Larry King Live, Oprah, etc.
If you want anymore information, you can contact the AVN online.
And remember, vaccines do not have to be a black or white debate. Many parents choose to delay vaccines until their child's immune system is more developed, some choose to split combined vaccines (such as the MMR) and administer them seperately over a long period of time, and others choose to administer their children a couple of vaccinations, whilst avoiding others that are associated with higher risk factors.
(Many avoid the MMR combined vaccine).
A wonderful argument for the use of vaccines is this- every child is different, right? Every child comes out with a different weight and shape, and at different ages. Each has their own unique constitutional strengths and weaknesses, and they develop at different rates. How is it then, that we offer premature babies, born with severely underveloped immune systems the exact same standardised vaccine dosage as a baby born at 42 weeks, with absolutely no health complications whatsoever? Where is the logic in this? There are many who argue that whilst vaccines may offer some protection against diseases, the dosage needs to be tailored for the individual babies age, weight and constitution. It's a fair argument, I believe.
Best of luck in your research and your decision. And remember- as someone has quoted on this site before- 'Educated people QUESTION what they are told, uneducated people DO what they are told.' Allow yourself to be informed with an open mind and don't let anyone make you feel stupid or irresponsible for any decision you make regarding your child. Trust your instinct!!
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