When I first got pregnant with Nate, I automatically knew that I was going to vaccinate. I didn't know anything about vaccinations, only that they are "mandatory". At Nate's first doctors appointment his pediatrician mentioned he was going to receive FIVE shots at his next appointment and that I should give him tylenol before he receives them. 5 shots seemed too much for a newborn to handle and I felt very uncomfortable. I still didn't know much of what these shots were. I told the pediatrician I didn't want 5 shots in a row, so for her to do 1 shot a month. She looked at me like I was crazy and that I as the mother was making a bad decision. I knew at that moment that something was wrong. But I was still naive and continued to get his shots until he was 8 months.
One day, I decided to do my research about each shot and I wish I did this research before giving birth. With that being said, we have decided to stop vaccinating Nate. Again, this is just our decision. There are many things to consider when deciding to vaccinate or not, and there is no right or wrong. For this blog, I want to inform you of each vaccine so that you can make your own educated choice.
Here are some thoughtful questions to consider before decided on vaccinating:
- Is your child in day care or only has a few caregivers?
- Do you plan on traveling internationally with your child?
- Does your child have siblings that are in school?
- Does either parent work at a school or daycare?
- Has the child shown any signs of a weakened immunity such as eczema, asthma, allergies, and so forth?
Hepatitis B
Hep B is a sexually transmitted virus that causes liver damage and can lead to death. It can be passed through needles such as infected drug needles or tattoo needles. This dose of Hep B is administered at 2 months, 6 months, and a year. Hepatitis B is uncommon in infants with less than 3,600 cases a year and some believe less than 200. Hep B is transferred through blood it can only be passed along from an infected mother. It can also be transferred through saliva from an infected family member although very rare. This vaccine contains unwanted ingredients including 250 micrograms of aluminum and some traces of formaldehyde. Since the main way of contracting this disease is through sexual contact or infected needles we have decided against this vaccine.
Rota-Virus
The rotavirus is an intenstinal disease that can result in vomiting and diarrhea. It is given in three doses: 2, 4, and 6 months. It is the only oral vaccine. Transmitted through saliva of an infected person. Common in daycare where there are diaper changes and shared toys. The symptoms are like the flu. About 2 million infants and children are hospitalized for this virus, mainly because of dehydration. 20-70 fatal cases due to severe dehydration. There are a lot of questionable ingredients like monkey kidney cells, and fetal cow blood. unfortunately, Nate received each dose of this vaccine but when we decide to have more children we will be against this vaccine since we are the only caregivers.
DTaP
Dtap vaccine is a combination of vaccines that include immunities against Diptheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis. Diptheria is a severe throat infection that is known for releasing a toxin that can lead to an excessive cough and difficult breathing. Diptheria is rare in the U.S. with only 5 cases a year and sometimes no cases. Because it is extremely rare we have decided against this vaccine. Tetanus is a bacteria that lives on dirt and rusty metal. It is dangerous when the bacterium enters your body through a deep wound. Tetanus releases a toxin that enters your immune system and can cause a paralysis that starts on the jaw. Tetanus is extremely rare in infants since their chances of receiving a deep wound or being exposed to soil is close to zero. Pertussis is also known as whooping cough. Pertussis is serious for babies under 6 months with a 1% fatality. There were 27,550 cases reported in 2010. Ingredients in DTaP include aluminum and formaldehyde which isn't good for babies. Aluminum can store in a babies brain or bones which can cause kidney malfunction. Because of the questionable ingredients in the DTaP we have decided against this vaccine.Hib
Hib is a bacterium that is spread through a cough, mucous, and saliva. It can cause illnesses from a cough to meningitis. Hib protects against Haemophilus Influenzae type B. It has a 5% fatality rate with 25% causing permanent damage. It is given in 4 doses: 2, 4, 6, and 15 months. There are about 25 cases reported annually in children under 5. Since the virus is very rare in the U.S. we have decided against this vaccine unless we decide to travel while Nate is young.PVC
Pneumococcus is administrated at 2, 4, 6, and 15 months. It is a bacterium similar to Hib. Illnesses range from a common cold to meningitis. Transmitted through cough, mucous, and saliva. There are approximately 8,000 to 12,000 of severe pc every year. This vaccine contains 125 micrograms of aluminum and also has the highest side effects of all vaccines. It leaves 1 in 20,000 children reacting in a seizure. If you have a baby in daycare or aren't breastfeeding I would suggest going with this vaccine since the pc bacterium is out there.Polio Vaccine (IPV)
This vaccine protects against polio and is administrated at 2,4, 18 months and five years old. This virus is spread like a common cold. Most cases are harmless. There have been zero cases reported of this virus since 1985. I do not recommend this vaccine since there hasn't been a case since 1985.
MMR Vaccine
This vaccine protects against Measles, Mumps, and Rubella. Administrated at 1 year and 5 years old in form of a booster shot. Most Measles cases are harmless although there are 1 in 1000 fatal cases. A large part due to the MMR vaccine, this virus isn't common anymore. There are less than 100 cases reported annually. Mumps is a virus that causes fever, runny nose, cough and red rashes. The symptoms are so minimal that no one diagnoses mumps. This is a disease that can run its course without serious issues which is why we decided against this vaccine as well. Rubella is similar to measles and mumps. Transferred through cough and saliva. Rubella is never diagnosed since the symptoms are also mild. This vaccine is the most controversial. The rubella virus that is used in this vaccine is taken from an infected aborted fetus in the 1960s. 1 in 20 children will have rash and fever reactions up to 2 weeks after the injection. This vaccine is also known for possibly having a connection to autism. In 1998, Dr. Wakefield who was a british researcher, published an article that stated there was a possible connection between 12 autistic children who had inflammatory disease that may have been triggered by the live Measles virus in the MMR vaccine. Dr. Wakefield was banned from practicing medicine in the UK. If your son or daughter has immune issues such as allergies, eczema, and asthma, I advice you too be cautious since there are some correlation's with autism.
With all that being said, do your research. Know exactly what is going into our children's bodies. Figure out wether you want to vaccinate your children according to the American Academy Pediatrics schedule, or pick and choose which vaccines you want and space them out so that you and your baby aren't overwhelmed or you can choose to not vaccinate your children at all. There is no right or wrong choice. We as mothers know what is best for our children. Do not let anyone tell you you're making the wrong decision. If you want deeper information read "The Vaccine Book" by Dr. Sears. I based most of my information on the book and cdc.gov.
