I'm putting this here only because of the potential of debate. I felt it may not be appropriate for the other boards. I plan to do some more research about this.

Feds won't warn parents about vaccine

By Kaye on Sunday, April 4, 2004 - 07:02 pm:

This infuriates me. The risk is low, but there is a risk. We don't order a coffee from startbucks without a warning saying this is hot...geesh!

By Tink on Friday, April 16, 2004 - 11:55 pm:

I don't know if anyone will see this, but as the parent of a child with autism, my son was entered in a study, funded by a group of lawyers, to try and find out if thimerosal was used in these children's vaccines. President Bush passed a Homeland Security bill that had a small sidenote that forbid any lawsuits against the companies that produced these vaccines and the government that allowed these vaccines and hid the possible side effects of the preservative. I would not try to capitalize on the fact that my son has autism, but there have definately been some financial hardships related to this and there should be someone held responsible if this is why my son has the disability that he has. If this was all completely avoidable, he could have lived an entirely different life. I don't know if he will ever get married, have normal friendships or children. He is not the only one affected by his disability. I am, my DH is, and his sisters are. I am thankful that he is as highfunctioning as he is, but I would change this for him if I could. Autism isn't who Seth is, it is an obstacle that we have to overcome in order to find out who Seth is.

By Fionadeassis on Saturday, April 17, 2004 - 08:17 am:

Tink-it's my secret but I will let it out now....I am totally against children getting vaccinated(I am sure there are special cases when it may be important to do it....but I just have a very bad feeling about it)....

I didn't plan on vaccinating ds when he was litlle-but when he was 2 my doctor guilted me into it...I wish I had stayed firm but I didn't. This baby I am pregnant with now will probably never recieve a vaccination...(unless we go to Brazil at some point in the future-then he will have to probably)...

I contacted my local health department trying to get information on the vaccinations they wanted all children to have. Specifically I asked for the name of the companies that put out each vaccination and the list of ingredients....they hemmed and hawed for about 2 weeks-passing the buck to this person and that-getting me to phone one person, then another...I would leave messages and they wouldn't call back. Finally the emailed me with a list of the comopanies-but not which one made which vaccine. Then I go to the websites and can't get a list of the ingredients....

If another doctor tries to make me vaccinate my kids-I will say "Sure-give me the list of ingredients and warnings that come in the box and I will look it over and get back to you on it...


Just a side note-maybe this has nothing to do with anything....when I was about 26 I got vaccinated for HepB(to take a dental course). I got vaccinated in the late winter.....that spring I got Hay fever for the first time ever...

When I was 30 I got vaccinated for German measles(missed that vaccine growing up)....Soon after I became allergic to dogs and cats.....

Maybe just a coincidence....but I do believe that vaccines can suppress our immune system....

fiona

By Happynerdmom on Saturday, April 17, 2004 - 12:16 pm:

My kids are vaccinated, but I'm just curious...What would you do about school if your kids didn't get vaccinated? I was under the impression that they had to be to be allowed to attend school?

By Marcia on Saturday, April 17, 2004 - 12:20 pm:

In Canada, we just have to write a note saying that for personal or medical reasons we choose not to vaccinate. No questions asked if it's personal, but you might need a doc's note if it's medical.

By Tink on Saturday, April 17, 2004 - 08:58 pm:

Kids do not have to be vaccinated to attend school. There is a waiver that has to be signed saying that you understand the risks to your child by not having them immunized and they are then allowed in school. My son hasn't received the remainder of his shots and my daughter hasn't received any. My older children went to a pediatrician that I loved, she was wonderful through my son's diagnosis and was very warm and personal. She sent my oldest a congratulation card for being awarded student of the month and sends birthday cards out to all of her patients (very hard to find in a medical group as big as hers) BUT she refused to be my youngest's Dr when I refused to have her shots given. I was heartbroken after all we'd been through. I feel like I am in the right here but it isn't an easy decision and it is one I've had to defend numerous times. As you have seen, it is very difficult to find out this information and that makes me wonder: What are they hiding?

By Emily7 on Sunday, April 18, 2004 - 12:23 pm:

I was always told by my Mom that if you don't vaccinate, not only do you put your kids at risk, but you put other kids at risk. Is this not the case? I have always had my kids vaccinated, in fact my son had to get both the flu shot & the RSV shot his first year of life. The funny thing is we were so confused this fall because my OB wouldn't let me get the Flu shot because I was in the 6-7 month of pregnancy. However the health departmnet said I needed to get it.

By Tink on Sunday, April 18, 2004 - 03:15 pm:

I think it needs to be a personal decision. I don't have my kids in day care so they aren't exposed to alot of the things that some kids are and we, obviously, have some risk factors associated with the vaccines. I wasn't willing to see my DD regress as my son did after his shots. After learning some of the common characteristics of people with autism, we decided that our family has WAY too many of them to expose her to a possible trigger. Since so many of the triggers are unavoidable, we try to minimize those that we can control. Emily, Why did the Health Dept. say that you needed to get the flu shot? I always thought that pregnant women were not supposed to.

By Amecmom on Sunday, April 18, 2004 - 09:57 pm:

Vaccination is something I have taken for granted. I'd rather vaccinate, than have my son at risk for contracting a preventable disease and further have him be a risk to others, especially children with compromised immune systems. I do agree that there should be more patient information on the vaccines and that the companies that make them should be held accountable for their ingredients.
Ame

By Emily7 on Sunday, April 18, 2004 - 11:58 pm:

It was a nurse that said that with the flu season being as bad as it was that I needed one. It would be safer for me & the baby. I told her thank you but I would follow my Doctors advice.