Seeking Pediatrician/Practice More Open Minded about Vaccination Shots

[Anonymous]

There was an interesting article recently in the NTY about this:

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/14/health/14vaccine.html?_r=2&adxnnl=1&oref=slogin&adxnnlx=1195049099-MrABGQxWRf10hbsGIiQlLQ&oref=slogin

Of note is the sentence at the end: "Refusal is much more common in Britain, and in August the national Health Protection Agency warned that Britain was having its worst measles outbreak in 20 years, with 480 confirmed cases and one death. "

And to those who say our vaccinated kids are fine so why should we worry -- well, what about our infants, who are too old for their measles vaccine (for example) and YOUR un-vaxed kid spreads it to the babies? Or anything else? I'm not totally pro-every vax, but I do find this argument annoying...

Also, I highly recommend the Sears vaccine book. It's pretty middle of the road and I found it pretty unbiased.

[Anonymous]

I am the PP - I meant infants who are too YOUNG for certain shots, etc. Sorry.

[Anonymous]

Obviously we could debate about this forever, but I just wanted to get back to the OP question. You are the parent and you have EVERY RIGHT to vaccinate your child as you see fit. If there is a shot you don't want to give your kids, simply do not give it. Smile nicely and just say no thanks. Listen to the doc lecture you and talk down to you, and just say no thanks. Although you will occassionally find a doc who is actually supportive of non-vaccinating, the vast majority are strongly in favor of it. Be strong and stick with what you feel is best for your child and your family. Yes, they might be rude and condescending, but you are the parent and you can be strong for your baby! So, I guess my advice is that while you are finding another doc, or even if you never find another doc (it might be hard to find just the right fit), that you can take this as an opportunity to figure out how to be an advocate for your child, even in the face of adversity.

[Anonymous]

I am a parent and a public health professional who does international work and I simply can't believe the recent trend in the US not to vaccinate children. Sapcing is a different issue but to refuse vaccination altogether? I simply don't understand it. Maybe it's just me. I've seen firsthand how immunization saves lives, especially for children under 5. This is an age where huge numbers of people cross borders daily and microorganisms travel along with them. I'm concerned about major public health debilitating diseases like polio coming back just because a bunch of parents refuse to protect their children (and other people's children). Sorry if this is a buit harsh, as I said, this trend is beyond my comprehension.

Maybe someone can explain why they are refusing vaccination of their children altogether...so we can clearly see what's going on.

Thanks

Concerned parent

[Anonymous]

Will a pediatrician even treat your child if it hasnt been vaccinated? And if you do space the vaccines out is this actually healthier? Does it really make a difference?

[Anonymous]

PP: Of course you have the right to determine the acceptable risks for your families. But unfortunately, when you decide not to vaccinate your children, you are also determining to subject my family-- and every other family with whom you may come into contact-- to risks as well. As one of my family members-- who happens to be a public health expert-- says, not getting children vaccinated is one of the most supremely selfish acts imaginable.

It is too bad YOU don't respect THAT.

And do we REALLY have to have discussions about whether the polio vaccine was actually responsible for eradicating polio in the US? And why don't you ask any medical specialist why it is that polio is making a comeback?

Please.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:And why don't you ask any medical specialist why it is that polio is making a comeback?

Care to site a source for that "info"? There has not been a single case of wild polio in North America since 1985.

[Anonymous]

Um, I didn't actually say it was making a comeback in the US. I said to find out what why polio is making a comeback when it was once almost completely eradicated worldwide. Try checking out the World Health Organization (WHO) website about the pathology of polio in (just as one example) Africa and the huge resurgence of polio there after a suspension of vacciantion programs. There is now an endemic in at least six countries where is was once eradicated altogether BECAUSE PEOPLE WERE NOT GETTING VACCINATED. Then you can check out the US Center for Disease Control information about how it would only take ONE case of polio getting brought into the US to making a comeback here as well. Hope that clarifies my point.

[Anonymous]

And do we REALLY have to have discussions about whether the polio vaccine was actually responsible for eradicating polio in the US?

As a matter of fact, we do. Along with a whole slew of other things we should be discussing or questioning. It's a bad thing when we blindly accept things to be true just because our government tells us they are.

[Anonymous]

It's a bad thing when we blindly accept things to be true just because our government tells us they are.

It isn't because "our governent" tells us this is true. It is because medical science tells us this is true. Please, question government all you want, but in the meantime please don't bury your head in the sand about vaccinations at the expense of both society in general and my children in particular!!

[Anonymous]

17:42 poster, well-said, couldn't agree more!!!

[Anonymous]

Can all the non-vax parents please list their pediatricians offices here so that I can make a note to avoid those practices for my new baby? I love the idea of "well waiting rooms" for well-baby visits, and it never occurred to my that my poor unvaxed infant (due to age only) could be exposed to something!

[Anonymous]

Has anyone considered having chicken pox party -- or know someone who has or wants to -- to expose your kids to the virus instead of vaccinating? I am a producer for a national news program and also a DCUM to 2 boys (1 and 3) researching a story on vaccines. I have grappled with innoculating my kids like so many other parents. I would be interested in speaking with you offline. Please email me at: [e-mail]
Thanks!