The Great Vaccine Debate

There are basic differences between naturally acquired immunity and temporary vaccine-induced antibody production. But few are willing to look at this issue -- least of all conventional medicine, which is so dominated by pharmaceutical companies seeking bigger markets and more profits from the investment they make in developing new vaccines.. 

Unfortunately, if we continue down the road they're paving for us, and they turn out to be wrong about the effictiveness, safety, and overall long-term side effects of vaccines, then we're on an extremely dangerous slippery slope. This is why I believe we really need an open and fearless conversation about vaccines; one that addresses the glaring questions about vaccine effectiveness (or lack thereof) and vaccine side effects, and leaves room for real, honest answers, and alternatives to our society's use of vaccination as the primary disease prevention tool... -Dr. Joseph Mercola

Ah vaccines... it's a black and white issue, right?  You're either a granola head who doesn't vaccinate your children or yourself with no regard for harming society or you're pro-vaccine out of fear and load your babies with 4 shots/visit complete with preservatives-good luck!  This assumption is sickening and mind-boggling.  Since when is questioning the SAFETY of vaccines directly linked to children's health a bad thing?  There are 2 stances here (and sometimes false assumptions):  1. Society has scared the crap out of you regarding vaccine injuries and you don't want to vaccinate OR 2. Society has scared the crap out of you regarding infectious diseases and you HAVE to vaccinate-immediately!

Friends, this is anything but a black and white issue.  I've watched documentaries on BOTH sides, each of which is spun to make its side look right.  I've done research regarding all sorts of options, and still, I cannot say with 100% what the right choice is.  Can you??  I urge you to do your OWN research-not be talked into anything you're not comfortable with.  What some people don't understand is that the majority of those that question vaccines aren't trying to challenge anyone to cause trouble, they are interested in SAFER vaccines for their children (and themselves for that matter).  

The truth of the matter is:  vaccine injuries are believed to be a very real thing.  Sure, we're all given the standard fact sheets listing mild-fatal side effects, but that's not what I'm talking about.  Autism rates are skyrocketing, but of course that link was refuted in a court of law; and still, many doctors (not doctors who are very liked by billion dollar pharmaceutical companies) are seeing a link between the two.  Preservatives in vaccines usually contain heavy metals.  They are designed for a healthy child with an outstanding immune system who can handle the toxins and get rid of them efficiently.  The problem lies with the children, for whatever reason (genetic disposition, chronic illness, etc), that cannot metabolize these toxins, and have heavy metals build up in their system.  The body simply cannot handle it, hence mercury poisoning when you overindulge in tuna-it's a real thing!  An overload of these toxins can *possibly* lead to lifelong brain injuries, from Autism to ADHD, not to mention allergies, chronic ear infections, etc... Autistic children have been shown again and again to have an overload of heavy metals in their systems.

OK, so why not test each child individually (I've even heard that there is a urine test that can determine how good the gut flora is in each child-which keeps immunity healthy)??  Well, one word:  MONEY honey, and the sad fact that large companies don't have our health or interests in mind all the time.  Look at the recent toxic findings in Johnson & Johnson bath care-they don't care about our children's health if they continue to mass produce their products in the same manor with this knowledge.  That makes them in a close second to tobacco companies in my book.

On the flip side, infectious diseases are a very real thing as well.  Thanks to life-saving vaccines, our country has VERY little of the diseases that were once so prevalent and deadly.  It is true that many diseases have nearly disappeared due to vaccines that other countries aren't fortunate enough to have.  However, the diseases are still in other parts of the world, are sometimes brought here, and there are unvaccinated children who  have the chance of contracting these diseases if they're in the wrong place at the wrong time.  Furthermore, most doctors tell you that vaccines today contain less aluminum or other metal than what is found in a serving of breast milk.

So, the question begs:  Do I want to put my child at risk for possible vaccine injuries that may last a lifetime or do I want to put my child at risk of a disease that could either last a short while (Chicken Pox-even though you risk pneumonia) or kill them (Polio)?  Which risk is greater?  Fun times for mommies, eh?!

Another difficult issue to swallow with current vaccines is the AMOUNT of vaccines that are suggested per visit for our tiny babies.  This brings me to my black/white issue-I know many mommies that have had success following SAFER guidelines (in their opinion) than what is suggested.  For example, they spread the vaccines out with an alternative schedule and may get single shots rather than combo shots.  This does a couple of things:  It gives our babies less preservatives at a time (however sometimes more in the long run) and you'll know exactly which shot your child reacted to if in fact they have a bad reaction.  On the flip side, though, while some doctors support this; many other doctors argue that you are putting your babies at risk by not following the standard guidelines-built for when children are most at risk for the disease at hand.

Like I said, do your research, but don't go nuts worrying (well, you'll worry regardless, but going into something educated is a plus).  Traveling and certain lifestyles (daycare etc) obviously put you and your children more at risk than others for certain diseases.  Some babies are healthier than others and can handle vaccines better than others.  From what I've seen, yes, the MAJORITY of children I know get a standard schedule of vaccines are absolutely fine, but who really knows if any developmental delays in the future were caused by them or not??  That's the hardest part in all of this-the gray matter that just isn't clear, and the lack of funded REAL RESEARCH to show clear patterns.  I certainly have friends that will argue this, even teachers of Autistic children who listened to parents' firsthand encounters of watching vaccines injure their children (in their opinion).  

The bottom line is: You are a great parent for even questioning the topic, having safety concerns for your child (no matter what your stance), and doing your research-starting here!  (Of course I'm no MD-just a concerned mama-use the links for more efficient research!)  You are never wrong or at fault for making these impossible decisions.  If your child, God forbid, ever had a developmental issue or even minor reaction to a vaccine-IT IS NOT YOUR FAULT.  Of course we want to follow and trust in doctors, and for the most part, as long as you've found a doctor you trust and whose ideas you agree with, you should!  I cannot emphasize enough how important it is for you to have a good relationship with your doctor-for yourself AND your child.  You don't want to ever feel as though your line of questioning is "wrong" or feel ashamed for raising questions.  (For goodness sake I've had nurses tell me that Wendy's frosties were a smart daily snack option while pregnant and a PA urge me to give my son soy milk rather than whole-you can't always take their advice if it doesn't feel right).  The point of this blog post isn't to scare anyone or take a side, but to present all sides-it's really food for thought.  

Alright, I debated doing this, but since I put it all out there I may as well share what we opted for for my son and why.  I am not saying with 100% certainty that these were the right decisions, but what we decided at the time (ya know, the sleepless helpless parents we were!)  Due to my son being a preemie, we felt he was way too tiny to get a suggested vaccine at birth and not at risk for the disease it protected him from.  Once he gained some weight, and we started on our routine visits, we DID choose to follow the standard vaccine schedule and get him his shots for the first year, combo and all-thank goodness he did just beautifully without reactions, and I felt good about traveling with him without fearing he'd contract any scary diseases.  Of course, the more research I did, and with that dreaded MMR approaching around his first birthday (the one shot they don't offer separately, and the one with the controversial link to Autism), I decided to spread out his shots in his second year, getting no more than 2 at a time-only allowing one live vaccine at a time, and opting out of a few vaccines altogether-still unsure if we'll get the ones we bypassed in the future (I'm particularly weary of the newer vaccines' safety and seasonal vaccines' effectiveness).  I also have chosen since his first birthday to give him a daily infant probiotic powder in one of his milks/day to aide in a healthy gut flora and immunity for various reasons.

There's no turning back now, so I can't regret any decisions, I can just live and learn and thank God for his health-and plan for future babies;)  While I'm not a fan of bringing my child to a health department monthly to spread out his shots and separate the combos (ultimately resulting in more preservatives and more dreaded painful visits), I would definitely consider spreading them all out at the doctor's in the future from birth-I think the preemie status threw me for a loop.  I will say that we saw TWO trusted pediatricians during this time, both with slightly different stances and opinions on the issues, but both of who were fully supportive and informative as well-they truly helped us make these difficult decisions.  Never be afraid to ask questions (mine were ready to throw me out after an hour's worth:), and never be afraid to get a second opinion.

Well, that's my little story in a nutshell-as you can see, I don't judge either way, I just think it's very important to do our own research, and not be pressured into anything we're not comfortable with as parents.  Every child, family, and situation is different.  I hope that rather than present unclear worry, I've started a healthy and thoughtful future conversation between you, your partner, your pediatrician-whoever!  Stay Chic, Stay Healthy... and just breathe;)