Vaccines and Immunization: What You Need to Know Before You Decide

Girl…whether or not a child gets vaccines is a subject that can literally turn a good day bad. And, it really shouldn’t be like that. As mothers, we’ll protect our children through hell or high water. Anything that even poses the slightest risk to our child is pretty much a no-go. Even though, ironically, everything poses some sort of risk to our child. Our child is a risk to our child.

I have done a lot of research on this topic, A LOT. I am not a MD (medical doctor); I am a MB (mama bear). As a mama bear of 3, all decisions I make for my tribe are evidence-based. And based on my research, I feel like the greatest risk is doing nothing.

I know some of you are nodding and others are shaking your heads, right now. But, hear me out.

Risks of Vaccines

In accordance with the CDC, routine childhood vaccinations can cause adverse reactions. Some side effects are minor and others are severe. Regardless, side effects are still possible. That is scary for any mom. Plus, there is a slight chance that the vaccine may not even be effective, depending on your child’s immune system. The FDA confirmed that this is a real likelihood for 5% to 15% of recipients.

Benefits of Vaccines

But, for me and mine, the disease-prevention benefits outweigh the potential side effects. Thanks to vaccinations, diseases that were once contributing to serious injury or death for children, have now been eliminated or reduced.

Therefore, you best believe all 3 of my children are vaccinated. For goodness sake, I am vaccinated.

Why?

Honestly, I couldn’t live with myself if my children acquired a life-threatening or life-ending disease that could have otherwise been prevented with the use of a vaccine. Also, I believe in science because it’s evidence-based. I believe in any reasoning that is backed by scientific evidence. Unlike people, the evidence doesn’t lie.

I further believe in the competence of the CDC, FDA, and several other credible, medical experts within the field. Just as our job is to protect our children, their job is to protect our nation.

Exception

But for every rule, there is an exception. When discussing vaccinations, you must not overlook individual circumstances. According to the CDC, if your child has experienced the following illnesses, vaccines must be postponed or withheld altogether:

– severe life-threatening allergies

– a previous allergic reaction to a vaccine

– Guillain-Barré Syndrome

a weakened immune system or family history of immune system problems, or

– a personal or family history of seizures or comas

The Decision is Yours

Credible studies have shown that there isn’t any link between vaccines and autism. In fact, the original study that indicated a connection between the two, several years ago, has been retracted and one of the doctor’s medical license was revoked. In addition, all vaccinations are available in mercury-free versions, so mercury concerns are no longer a threat as well.

Granted, there are numerous conflicting data, regarding this topic. However, you must remember not every resource is the same. The data is only as good as the examiners and the quality of information available to them. As a result, some studies are simply more valid than others.

Just remember, the presence and absence of some infectious diseases solely rely on a large number of people getting vaccinated. That is how herd immunity is created. If most people choose not to vaccinate their children, the threat of the disease will still be at large. So, as a mother, you must make a well-informed decision. Your child is counting on you to get this right.

And that’s the point, the blank, and the period.

For more information:

CDC – https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/parents/why-vaccinate/index.html

FDA – https://www.fda.gov/vaccines-blood-biologics/consumers-biologics/vaccines-children-guide-parents-and-caregivers

WebMD – https://www.webmd.com/children/vaccines/default.htm