I was just reading in JuMPer's topic about vaccinating children and the concern w/ specifically the MMR shot. Obviously, a very hot topic these days.
It always gets me wondering how dangerous these diseases are?? I had Measles and Mumps as a child, I believe. I understand the need to eradicate these viruses on the whole...but I really don't know the answer...how dangerous are Measles, Mumps or Rubella??
We opted to delay the MMR shot and break it up as the M, the M and the R for Colin until he was 2 and space them out over time. I believe in the vaccinations, it was just presented to me as an option and I took it. He had some big reactions after his 6 month shots and I just decided to go on a delayed/spaced out vaccination schedule...especially since he was not around other kids, etc.
So...what did you do for your children...do you think there is concern w/ the childhood immunization schedule...how dangerous are the shots....the MMR?
Just looking for your thoughts...
Posted by: Sanna Date posted: Sat Apr 26 13:47:20 2008
Message:
My only concern regarding vaccinations is that I think it should (and in a lot of cases it can be) be the paren't choice regarding what ones their child receives and when. I just disagree with doctor's shoving them in your face when babies are so small, in most cases a 2 day old does not need a Hepatitis B vaccination. But it is equally the parent's responsibility to research them and make a decision that will work for them. I just have a hard time with people who blindly follow their doctor's without questioning what they are doing, or recommending.
Posted by: Kri Date posted: Fri Apr 25 23:53:59 2008
Message: I guess my biggest question is whether or not those diseases are still a threat in our society today. I have no idea, but it is worth figuring out. Wasn't Polio part of the vaccines back in the day? And do they still vaccinate for it?
Posted by: Anne Date posted: Fri Apr 25 22:19:22 2008
Message:
I really didn't have an option, since Izzy was born with renal failure and she needed to be protected from everything. Of course I was apprehensive about it.
Posted by: sam Date posted: Fri Apr 25 20:34:04 2008
Message: I don't vaccinate my pets and I wouldn't vaccinate kids if I had them. I don't think they know enough about them and what they can do to you down the road.
Posted by: Mandy Date posted: Fri Apr 25 18:40:59 2008
Message: If you work a few years in the Pediatric ICU in a Children's Hospital, you will quickly become a vaccination proponent. The diseases are MUCH more likely to kill or disable a child than the vaccines are. But, I do believe in the parents right to chose, as long as they have GOOD info and not a buch of hoo-ey from a radical parent group.
Posted by: Bonk5 Date posted: Fri Apr 25 16:44:34 2008
Message: It is good to know nowdays you can break up the MMR shot. But yes to your question, it can be dangerous. Yes we( my family) all had them (not the mumps tho) but if you did not get them and get them as an adult it can be very bad. Infections, sterile, very ill.
Chicken pox are not so bad. The shot came out when my kids were younger in the 90's. My youngest still got them, but a milder case. Of course has an adult shingles can be very bad.
But why have your child suffer and be ill, when they can get a shot?
When I was 5 or so the Polio vaccine just started. We all walked down the the local HS to get the little sugar cube that had the meds in it.
I am worried about a lot of kids in the school systems that are not getting the vaccine and might be carriers of TB or something.
Becasue of the vaccines most childhood diseases have been wiped out. Whooping cough is one you don't hear too much about anymore.
When I was in first grade, the school had some nurses come to administer shots. The night before, my older brother told me the needle was so big that it went in one side of your arm and came out the other (picture a 10 year old boy holding his hands about a foot apart and speaking in a conspiratorial whisper -- brothers!). So the next day, I stood in line for my shot and when they called my name to step forward I slumped to the floor -- passed out cold! I woke up with my older sister's best friend's mother (got that?) sitting at my side. I looked at her and said, ''What about the shot?'' She told me they gave it to me while I was out. (What a relief!)
So a few months later, it was time for more shots. I wasn't taking any chances, though -- I tore up the permission slip into itty, bitty pieces and kept my mouth shut about it. Then I did the same thing the next time and the next time, etc.
Fast forward about 15 years. I signed up for a semester abroad program in college and needed to undergo a medical exam and provide proof of immunization. Oops! I confessed to the doctor that I had only received that one shot and my parents never realized I was supposed to have gotten others. (He was quite impressed with my early avoidance skills, lol!) He made arrangements for me to come back and get all the vaccinations at once. Fortunately, they were able to combine some together and all I had to do was get 1 needle stick and a sugar cube.
The funny thing is that as an adult, I'm not skittish about needles whatsoever. Go ahead, shoot me, no problem. It's all good.
Posted by: Cettie Date posted: Fri Apr 25 15:21:57 2008
Message: I found it bizarre that I as an adult had to get a booster shot for the MMR in 2004 because I worked in a nursing home. They got to the point with some of us that we either got the shot or left that job. My mom made sure I got the shots as a young child and I caught measles and rubella anyway, among other things.
