Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Immunizations
As a first time parent immunizations are like a whole new world to me. Until now I have taken Jackson to all his check-ups and not even questioned the shots or the amount of shots the pediatrician said Jackson needed. Recently I have felt that maybe I have been an irresposible parent and not done my share of research on all the vaccines and when they are given. As funny as it might sound, Jenny McCartney is the one who has opened my eyes. I have seen her several times over the past month on talk shows. She is very passionate about vaccines and autism. If you do not know her son was diagnosed with autism at the age of two. She believes that vaccines and the amount that are given before the age of two are triggers of autism. She has a website she endorses www.generationrescue.com that gives different thoughts and support on the issue. One thing on the website that I found interesting was the difference between the 1983 and 2008 recommended vaccine schedule. When I have talked to my pediatrician about my concerns he was reassured me that the benefits of vaccines out weigh the risk. I really haven't done too much research on either side of the subject, but plan too before Jackson's 12 month check-up in 3 months. He is scheduled to recieve the MMR vaccine, which is one of the most controversial. Also because he is a boy, I am even more worried. From some of the research I have done it seems that boys are at a higher risk of being autistic then girls. I know I will not feel 100% comfortable until I am more educated. Does anyone else have my same concerns? Have you found any research that has comforted you? Or alternate vaccination schedules then the one that is currently recommended? Any thoughts might help.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
6 comments:
I'm not for them and I am not agents them. Having said that, I haven't gotten my kid's vaccinated until it was time for them to go to school and even then I'm taking it slow...I don't have to give them any thing I don't want to. My only advice is that when you do your research on vaccination listen to both sides, sometimes they tend to go overboard on the scare tactics and pray about it. What is right for some isn't always what's best for you and your family.
I'll stop now cause I could go on and on.
I kind of feel guily, I never even thought about it. I think I sometimes have too much faith in doctors. I am going to do my research before Dallas' next appointment. Thanks for bringing this up.
Vaccinations are the devil! So is public education! AVOID THEM AT ALL COSTS!
hi linda! sean and i have talked alot about this for quincy. sean has been doing some reading about not only the vaccinations, but the different companies that make them. that's important to know too. ask your dr. who they get thiers from and read up on those certain companies and their vaccines. it's weird that our kids will get something like 10 times more then we did. and i am fine!! i know people who have given their kids only the shots the state says they have to have to go to school....i don't know. it's so hard to know what to do. i will keep you posted on what sean finds out.
Nathan and I've discussed this on several occasions and even discussed it with our doctor at Nixon's last visit. He hasn't had any vaccines yet, but is scheduled to have the first round next Monday (if we decide to go forward with them). My concerns were related to autism also, but I have learned that first of all, not very many of today's vaccines contain mercury as a preservative, which is the suspected culprit. Second of all, even though there are many theories, no one really knows what causes autism. As of right now, I think we're going to go forward with vaccines because I feel the benefits outweigh the risks. However, I will check out Jenny McCarthy's website. Talk to you soon!
Ok, so I looked at the generation rescue website, and I think it's really good in that it's not a "shove opinions down your throat" site, and it contains links to all kinds of info (including government websites). I'm so glad I read your blog tonight to find this info as I will certainly do a bunch of research before Nixon's appt on Monday. I had no idea kids get vaccinations for chickenpox - that's crazy! You haven't lived until you've had the chickenpox as a kid.
I do have a few comments about some of the vaccines - first, I'm a huge freak about the mercury possibly causing autism theory, so I have not had any seafood, including fish, since I got pregnant. I also learned that mercury can pass through breastmilk, so I won't be eating any until I stop nursing. That being said, I am against any vaccine containing thimerosal (preservative containing mercury). My nephew has Asperger Syndrome, a type of autism (although we think his is genetic), so I feel very close to the subject.
Also, I am totally against the Hep B vaccine for many reasons. Nixon did not get that shot at the hospital as most do. Not sure if he'll ever get that one as a child. I didn't realize there's a vaccine for rotavirus - I know a kid that contracted it when he was 18 mths old and ended up having serious kidney problems. He almost had to have a transplant. He's 3 now, but still takes steroids for his continued problems. Lastly, I'm against the flu shot. I've never had one and never will. I know too many people that got the flu shot and got the flu right afterwards, plus is seems every year there's a new strain of flu that comes out that the vaccine doesn't cover. Seems pointless to me. Notice that according to the website, the flu shot contains thimerosal.
Thanks for the web info - I'll certainly let you know what else I find out.
Post a Comment