A very controversial subject right now, to be sure, with the media reporting measles outbreaks in various parts of the country. Me? I lean very much toward full vaccinations within our population. Yet I understand why some choose not to as well -- whether it may be a pre-existing medical condition that prevents vaccination or perhaps a bad reaction with an older child in the past. I even understand people of certain religious beliefs who do not vaccinate their children. Nor do I believe we should force those who choose not to be vaccinated to have them, as some have suggested should be done. It is their body. We do live in a free country. There is also the "herd immunity" concept and here in Canada our vaccination rates are high enough most of us are protected by this.
Let's talk about vaccines. I'm no doctor so please don't quote me as these are only my opinions based on conversations with nurses and reading articles from credited researchers regarding vaccinations. The common childhood vaccinations (diphtheria, whooping cough, measles, mumps, rubella, etc.) simply mean you are protecting your child from diseases that may cause death or possibly adverse disabilities if your child does survive a round with any of these diseases. These diseases don't seem to change regularly -- unlike influenza. If everyone in the world was vaccinated for them, they could potentially become extinct diseases. So, yes, I'm in favour of vaccinations such as these.
The anti-vaccinators I disagree with whole-heartedly are the ones who base their decision on fear-mongering, begun by mamas on the war-path to answers regarding their child's medical condition. Yes, I'm also aware that anti-vaxers say those of us who vaccinate also fall prey to fear-mongering of these childhood diseases.
To be completely fair, ours is not a generation who has seen the debilitating side-effects -- or deaths -- these diseases have the potential to cause. Those from previous generations, who have witnessed these diseases run rampant through our population, have more voice than those of us who have not.
I also think it would be fair to say autism has been around for many more years than people are willing to admit. It just didn't have a name. Just as a century or more ago, the elderly were merely senile -- now they have Alzheimer's or dementia. Now that autism has a name, we naturally want answers as to what causes it. I fully understand this rationale, too. As the parent of a teen with Type 1 Diabetes, I'd love to know what caused her body to turn on itself so she can no longer produce insulin. Better yet, I'd love to have a cure so my kiddo doesn't have to poke herself multiple times a day just to live. Unfortunately, some things just ARE. This need to know, to blame, is a natural part of accepting your child's diagnosis.
There are often conflicting reports on the cause of any disease, just as the "best" treatment is different from one medical professional to the next. I also think parents lean toward the report that takes the blame off them -- not that you are to blame for your child's disease, just feel you are. The possibility in one medical study, only to be disproven later in another, that the MMR vaccination caused autism preys on parents looking for something, someone, to blame. In my mind, it really is that simple. Remember that most diseases are caused by multiple factors.
I do understand those with a pre-existing medical condition who are unable to get vaccinations. Again, to my way of thinking, reasons such as these are EXACTLY why the rest of us need to get vaccinated -- to protect those who CAN'T protect themselves.
What is thoroughly disgusting to me with this debate is how people disrespect one another's opinions. There is no need to name call or comment with blatant rudeness. No need to spread false information from this or that non-medical web-site. No reason to say they should be forced to put something in their bodies they don't want there. State your opinion respectfully, kindly and leave it at that.
Me? I am a proud believer in vaccinating for these childhood diseases. However, I do ask anti-vaxxers to please make sure your decision not to vaccinate is based on true facts from your doctor, nurse, naturopath or any other credited medical professional. Please don't choose this route without thoroughly investigating all of the ramifications of your decision, keeping in mind safety -- all manner of it -- is a group effort.
