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I don't agree with allowing exemptions in public schools for religious reasons. Those parents should enroll their children in private schools or homeschool them. Don't parents have a right to enroll their children in a school where they can be confident that 100% of the students have been vaccinated? What about their rights and the rights of their children?
It is your right, I suppose to choose to not vaccinate your children. I think that you should keep them away from other people, though, because most Americans believe in the responsibility for public health. The government does have the right to quarantine infected people and ban them from school if they are communicable. Your rights do not extend to infringing on the rights of others.
We require our animals to be vaccinated against rabies, because contact with an unvaccinated animal can be fatal. Why not the same thing for people?
First, I will say that I am not opposed to vaccinations. My kids have had all of their required shots but I did not get them the swine flu shot and I don't plan on giving my daughters the cervical cancer vaccine either.
I didn't read every single post except the first one the OP wrote and a few others, but I would strongly suggest that those who don't want to vaccinate their kids really look into the consequences of not doing so. The internet is a great tool and obviously I'm a BIG fan, but I think sometimes that a statement of opinion can quickly get mixed up with facts and everything gets crammed together in Google so it's hard to understand the difference.
A pediatrician will likely advise you in favor of vaccines but for those who are concerned about things like the MMR vaccine, if you speak with your doctor, there is a vaccine that separates the 3 into 3 separate vaccines versus all-in-one (and that's where the theories are...the combining of the 3-in-1). Also, I expressed to our pediatrician that I wasn't so sure about the flu vaccine on the same day my 2-year-old got a bunch of other shots and she suggested the nasal spray (which we opted for but had to pay $25 instead of $15 for it).
My pediatrician and I discussed the sheer number of vaccines nowadays and while she told me she wasn't worried about them (and had her kids all vaccinated too), she did tell me that she's had quite a few parents who have opted to get their children vaccinated over a longer period of time instead of giving them 6 all at once...3 in each leg. Here in Colorado, we don't have a great track record of vaccinating, so our pediatrician said that she works with parents who are concerned and tries to address (and resolve) concerns. I am sure there are similar pediatricians out there who would work with you, but I don't think the "no vaccines for my kids" option is a good one. As I said, here in Colorado, we've got a very poor record of vaccinating and there are stories all of the time about the latest spread of whooping cough, TB, and a small kid in Denver died of tetanus a few months ago and that, IMHO is ridiculous.
Trust me, many not all but many kids whose parents won't vaccinate or create barriers to get the vaccines and everyone else is being vaccinated come to doubt their parents wisdom.
I don't agree with allowing exemptions in public schools for religious reasons.
I volunteer in my child's school and last year, the nurse asked me if I could help her enter medical information into her computer (before anyone freaks out about privacy, she asked me because she knew I had a security clearance from my last job and wasn't going to share information that was confidential). I noticed a pattern of parents who had SOME vaccinations for their kids (mostly when they were younger) but then declared themselves "religiously exempt" from getting the others. Apparently "finding God" means getting your kids only their first round of shots. Interesting how that happens...
I've always found it ironic that many of those who claim to love their country and their liberty the most are often the first ones to bash other peoples' decisions when they do not conform to their more traditional views toward religion, nationalism, militarism and, in this case, healthcare.
When YOUR decision could harm MY child, I bash. That's the way it is.
Quote:
Originally Posted by lrmsd
... what will be funny, though, is in the future when vaccines, just like so many other things,
ie, tobacco, partially hydrogenated oils, and countless others to come-will be said to be 'oh, not as effective/deterrent as we thought', and 'oh, turns out they are not all safe'.
You're probably right (NOT). Sooner or later, after this generation grows up with so many kids not immunized, it will be hilarious when those diseases come back with a vengence. When an epidemic sweeps schools nationwide, parents will be wishing they had listened and immunized their children because NOW THEY'RE DEAD. What a horrible way to prove your point that immunizations are unnecessary.
Quote:
Originally Posted by delta07
Before everyone jumps to the conclusion that this parent is ignorant of what is deemed "medical progress," please read up on the issue yourselves! Yes, there are pros and cons for vaccinating your children, but many of us are blindly vaccinating without really thinking about what is being put into our childrens' bodies! Back when I was vaccinated in the mid 1970's, I was given about 20 vaccinations. Now we give our kids around 120-130 vaccinations. This is crazy!!! (BTW, my husband is a nurse and I am a teacher so we are not uneducated) I will not be subjecting my children to this many vaccinations. They just don't need it!
You're right, it IS crazy to forego immunizing your kids, because all they do is keep them from getting sick. It just makes so much sense to be selfish and depend on all those immunized kids to keep YOURS from getting one of those diseases.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob from down south
..Another point that's been at least tangentially addressed is that failure to vaccinate children not only places them at risk, but it creates a vector for preventable diseases that can affect others, such as those who are immuno-compromised.
How much more selfish can a person get? And then it would be the blame game, HOW DARE THOSE ROTTEN PEOPLE BRING DISEASE TO MY DOOR WHEN MY KIDS AREN'T IMMUNIZED !!! Both groups would be in jeopardy.
Quote:
Originally Posted by mss9673
Bob from the South.... The ideas you have a pretty scary. It is my right to not have my child vaccinated.(and he isn't!! oh no, very scary. I promise to stay far away from you!!) A person should not force me to have my child vaccinated. If you would like that please go live in a communist country and leave the U.S. alone for those to make decisions as they seem fit. Freedom and liberty let us make decisions, whether right or wrong, as we wish. We may disagree but leave it at that.
I just hope you don't have to learn the hard way and have your child get one of those PREVENTABLE diseases and dies as a result.
OP, I'd recommend asking on Mothering.com. There is a "finding your tribe" section that has a listing by state. Go into the appropriate forum and ask your question... you'll probably get at least a name or two of tolerant doctors.
OP, I'd recommend asking on Mothering.com. There is a "finding your tribe" section that has a listing by state. Go into the appropriate forum and ask your question... you'll probably get at least a name or two of tolerant doctors.
Good luck!
kinda reminds me of a way to avoid making kids safe "mothering and finding your tribe" give me a break.
[SIZE=3]We are looking for Dr. that respects our decision about not vaccinating for our 5 month old son. We were using a natural dr. but would like to find a dr. that takes our insurance Cigna. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks[/SIZE]
[ MODERATOR NOTE: This thread started in the COLO SPGS forum, but quickly became a general debate on the issue of vaccinating or not vaccinating children. This thread was COPIED to the Parenting forum where it may continue as needed. The original thread is still in the COLO SPGS forum, but is closed since it went way off topic in that forum. ]
many docs do refine or alternate schedules. interview them. They usually will work with you if you show reason and research behind your wants to hold off vaccines. I am a vaccinating parent but my child is on a very slow schedule compared to the normal(she got her first vaccine at 4 months ...only dtap at that). one doc let us go and the current one respects my beliefs and meets me half way.
not vaccinating is a choice and shouldn't be looked down on or bashed. it amazes me how people get so feisty about this subject. Babies systems need a chance to learn how to function and fight things w/o vaccines in their bodys. The baby is only 5 months. I doubt it has play dates yet.
You don't know what freedom and liberty mean in this context. Or communism for that matter. We require vaccinations so you can be alive today to complain about it. Your ignorance is astounding.
I'm not sure why you sugar coated it??? I mean...... what's a little Polio among family members???
Bob from the South.... The ideas you have a pretty scary. It is my right to not have my child vaccinated.(and he isn't!! oh no, very scary. I promise to stay far away from you!!) A person should not force me to have my child vaccinated. If you would like that please go live in a communist country and leave the U.S. alone for those to make decisions as they seem fit. Freedom and liberty let us make decisions, whether right or wrong, as we wish. We may disagree but leave it at that.
Hummmmmmm, does this really read, paraphrased of course, "if you don't like me risking the health, possibly life of my offspring, why don't you move to russia with the rest of the commies"??????? There are quite a few other countries that don't offer public health in much of any form at all, YOU could always move there. Yeah, I know, it's horrible how some people actually show concern for the health of children.
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