Measles Question

[Bethers]

There have been several articles on facebook about the vaccination issue both for and against. Sometimes I think as a parent you just wouldn't know what to believe. Wasn't there a scare that the vaccines were causing autism that started many parents to stop vaccinating their children? Now I think that idea has been changed to that it is food, environment etc. I also notice some of the articles are saying the vaccines should be made with safer ingredients and considering all the recalls on other drugs that might be a valid point. I'm glad I don't have to make these type of decisions for a child and I feel sorry for parents who do.

I agree and have made the choice to NOT take the flu, shingles or pneumonia vaccines. But they will not endanger anyone else. And I can't help but believe the polio, measles, etc have done a great job and since they endanger others it's too risky to not take them. I do understand a parents concern, because I'd have a difficult time as a parent having some things forced on my child. That said ... I just can't let some of these inoculations be allowed to be skipped and then allow those children into public places where they endanger so many others. There are children who, for various reasons cannot have one or various of the vaccines - but otherwise, I can understand them being mandatory. We had to prove we'd had them when I was in school after they came out. Probably why the diseases got contained as quickly as they did.

[Acadianmom]

My sister's second granddaughter was given a vaccination when she had a fever and she had a seizure. I don't remember at what age this happened but this child didn't start trying to talk until she was about 4. Most people couldn't understand her so she would get mad. Her stupid parents could have and should have put her in pre-school early so they could have started speech therapy. She is now in the third grade and still having speech therapy. You can understand her now but you can tell she has a problem. The third granddaughter was born last March and she had a reaction to a vaccination. It must be something that is inherited . Hopefully this is something the doctors are now aware of. I don't know if there are other vaccines she can take or which one caused the problem.

Martha

[Redetotry]

I did get an updated pertussis vaccination not too long ago. It comes with the tetanus booster. I also read recently that there is a new pneumonia vaccination that covers more than the old one did, so I will be asking my doctor about that one when I see her in May.

Actually, I was wondering about measles and chicken pox vaccinations for adults because I also was thinking the protection from actually having the diseases eventually wears off.

Actually, I think some undeveloped countries have better vaccination rates than we do because they do not allow all of these exemptions for "personal beliefs"! It is hard to believe how so many people who should know better completely ignoring the CDC and scientific evidence. And these diseases are not just harmless childhood things. A good friend of mine whose husband is a doctor lost her 18 month old son to chicken pox in the early 1970s when it infected his brain. Way back then, people were purposely exposing their kids to chicken pox so they would get it when they were young because they thought it was a harmless disease. That was before a vaccine was available!

Do all tetanus booster shots come with the pertussis now? I did a tetanus booster after cutting my hand on a piece of rusty metal a couple of years ago but I asked for only the tetanus. Humm maybe I did get both.
The vaccine decision must not be new thing for mothers, I remember when we were little my Mom wouldn't let us take the typhoid shot as so many had really serious problems from it, so when we went to our aunts farm and she forgot to bring water from home, we were a thirsty bunch. . Maybe that is why I always carry a water bottle, left over anxiety. We did get the polio shots but then they came out with drops and I don't know if I had all of those or not. Also none of us had a smallpox vaccine.I think it odd that Mom had strong opinions about the vaccines but when penicillin came out seems like every time we sneezed she had the doctor come give us a shot, yes doctors made house calls in the late 40's and into the 50's. We were all born at home and the doctor I see in STL is a fourth generation member of the same family, who delivered us.

[OregonLuvr]

I find this such an interesting topic. Evidence based studies say no to the autism being caused by vaccinations. Anecdotal stories tell a different tale. In my day and age everyone was immunized. Did we have autistic children then....not that I can remember. I know we did know a couple of children that were profoundly autistic or had cerebral palsy...vaccinations NO on the cerebral palsy and an I dunno on the autistic.

I have met many families with children that they tell me are autistic... huh??? They are running and playing and some are acting out like normal kids. Nowadays if your child is misbehaved it is either ADHD or Autistic. Never is poor parenting mentioned. OK that is my soapbox for today. My final answer is: I just don't know.

karen

[judi]

My daughter has a Master's degree in speech and language pathology and works for Portland Public schools. She works with many autistic children, and some who are on the "spectrum". According to her, there is loads of research on the subject of vaccines and autism, and no credible evidence of a connection. Note I said CREDIBLE. I am firmly on the side of vaccinating children. The scientific evidence supports this, and the risk of complications of these diseases is just too great.

[OregonLuvr]

I totally agree with you Judi. I think the people that do not are doing a disservice to the general public. I am pro vaccinating also. I think this is going to be a bigger problem in our future.

karen

[Bethers]

In the case of measles and polio, for two - the dangers of the disease - which WILL be caught if not vaccinated and contact happens - is way worse than the chance that it might/may be cause a form of autism. Yes, it's scary - but the deaths and illnesses, etc associated with those diseases are way scarier - for me.

I found this article interesting: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/02/0 ... mg00000010

I also remember lots of hyperactive kids when I was young. They were considered normal. Many of them today would be on meds. Back then more time outside and play and exercise pretty much took care of it. The medications for those scare the hell out of me.

[MandysMom]

All it took to convince me that vaccinations were a good thing was to be in nursing school working during the summer at a county hospital and caring during the night for a 9 yr old who had gotten measles while a baby ( before we had vaccine for it) and as I cared for this child who was blind, deaf, and unable to care for himself and the size of a toddler I knew my children would be protected by any means available. As a matter of fact the doctor who helped deliver my first son as well as my good friend who was my labor nurse, we're both post polio victims. We who are old enough to have seen what the diseases can do know vaccines are lifesavers. that said, I do request preservative/mercury free vaccines.
Velda

[judi]

Beth, interesting article - thank you for posting the link. I didn't realize that measles was not considered eradicated until 2000. Not so long ago. I know this may be controversial, but I think schools should be able to refuse entry to unvaccinated children. If a parent refuses vaccines to protect their own children and others, they should accept the responsibility to home school. Some school districts have home-based programs for parents to use, so their kids can stay on the same track as those who attend school. I would never choose to home school my kids, but there are resources for those that do.

If I hear one more person say they won't allow their 9 year-old daughter to receive the Gardasil vaccine because it might make her promiscuous, I think I'll scream. Who wouldn't want to lessen their child's chances of getting cancer? News flash people - someday your sweet little innocent child will have sex.