Wednesday, 01 October 2008
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The Threat of Childhood Immunization Refusal
by Nurse Jenna
Recently, parents have begun to question the value of immunizations for their children. It is ironic--the benefits of immunization are often getting forgotten since the diseases they have eradicated are no longer prevalent to remind people of their importance. Smallpox has been eliminated, polio is no longer in North America and diseases that used to be common such as diphtheria, tetanus, measles, and H. influenza are now rarely seen. Despite this and the fact that by some estimates immunizations prevent approximately 3 million childhood deaths a year, many parents still are hesitant, or refuse to have their children immunized.Many of the reasons parents refuse immunizations are not supported by any medical data and are mostly acquired from unreliable Internet sources, or other parents who speculate their children’s problems are related to immunizations. Immunizations have taken the blame for a battery of poorly understood conditions. Though vaccinations are not 100% without risk or effective, the risks of remaining unvaccinated can be greater. Here is an example: the risk of brain disease due to the measles vaccine is 1 in 1 million, but the risk from measles itself is 1000 times greater.
It is well known that immunizations benefit not only individual people, but communities as a whole and the more children that go unimmunized the greater the public health threat. Parents who choose not to immunize their children are given the term “free-riders” because they count on the immunity of others to keep their child protected from these devastating diseases that would otherwise reimerge if the majority of the population did not stay immunized.
One could argue (and has), and so would I, that there is a civic duty to immunize your child since the benefits have been proven to be great and the risks to the individual small, yet the risks to the general population are extreme when immunization is refused. I feel unless there is an extenuating circumstance where there is a danger for a child to be immunized, parents should not have the right to refuse immunization. It puts too many others at risk, not to mention your own child.
Do you feel immunizations should be required? Do you think that public safety should be considered, or should the decision to immunize be up to the parents?
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Comments (184)
The link I was trying to put earlier regarding vaccine information from the National Network for Immunization Information.
Link again here
@NurseJenna - I do not think that under-developed countries work as a control since they have poor nutrition and lifve without proper hygiene.
I feel like we have gone from infections causing illness to chronic disease and cancer bringing our children to the hospital. Not to mention an increase in allergies, asthma, ADD, and leukemia.
I do not put my trust into the research a pharm. co has done to promote their product.
I never had a problem with vaccinations until I had a child and wanted nothing more than to protect her. I did my research and made my choice to protect her from what I believe would harm her.
Ok, I don't think it should be a law that every child must be vaccinated. This is America and we all do and should have the right to choose. Shoot, that's what my DH and so many other service members are fighting for: our freedom and rights. Anyway, I got on a tanget, I vaccinate my son, but we do it on a delayed schedule. No more than 2 shots at a time and we'll take as long dragging it out as we feel necessary. Also, we don't give flu shots and I was pissed when I found out after the fact that they gave my DS the chicken pox vacc against my requests. What's the point of that?! I had the chicken pox growing up and I did just fine. It's a rite of passage as far as I'm concerned. But no, now he'll probably get shingles later because the stupid nurse goofed! Grrr, I hate military medicine!! Anyway, another tanget, overall I think vaccinations are a good thing. We've irradicated a lot of terrible dieses from this country by widespread vaccination, so I'm for it. But I agree that we need to make vaccinations safer. There are some terrible, discusting things in immunizations, but overall, I think they're for the best. I hope to see safer widespread immunizations within my lifetime.
@mamaseahorse - I'm sorry if you think I"m being rude, but your 4th paragraph down actually just shows you don't understand how the immune system works. I have a degree in immunology in addition to my nursing degree. I actually know somewhat what I am saying. I do not claim to be an expert on everything, or even this topic, but I do know more than most of the people commenting.
Isn't that why you read things? I read things all the time. When it is something way over my head I have to read the lay-person's version. When it is something I have a good grasp on, I can read the more sophisticated material. The immune system is something I understand well. I can read the more scientific information and understand it. I hope you don't find it condescending, but I'm going to try and explain what you are saying in your paragraph and why it is not correct. People are making their decisions on a lot of false premises, and I would think they would want to know if that was the case. I know I would want to know if I was doing that.
Firstly, it is not "ridiculous" that unvaccinated children are relying on the vaccination of other children. This is what is called "herd" immunity, as I was speaking of before. What this means is that the disease is not prevalent in the population because the majority of the people are vaccinated, therefore the disease cannot spread and the few who are not immunized are at very little risk (some risk, but little since the disease is not rampant).
Secondly to paraphrase, when you say a child who goes to get immunized gets the disease and the other stuff and that is what affects them and not the child without the disease who places them at risk, this is not true. The immunization causes what is called active immunity. This means that now that someone has been exposed to small doses of either unharmful live virus, or dead virus in the vaccine, their body builds up antibodies against it. Should they then in the future come in contact with the REAL virus, their body already recognizes it and has defenses against it, and therefore will not likely contract the disease. The reason the unimmunized child becomes the threat is they allow the disease back into the population at large. Anyone not immunized will then be susceptible to getting the disease and also people who for whatever reason lost immunity fromm the vaccines, or who have weakened immune systems due to compromised immune systems or the elderly can begin to contract and spread the disease. The more people who are not immunized, the more people will contract it. This is how an epidemic begins---such as HIV, where there is no vaccine and it spreads. If we had a vaccine for HIV people would not be able to contract the disease and the virus itself would eventually begin to die off due to the 'herd immunity" which results from LARGE NUMBERS of people being immunized.
Again, I apologize if you find me rude. You are still able to think and decide what you want. I am just correcting the facts.
We do not vaccinate. We are not anti-vax, but just don't think the possible benefits outweigh the definite risks. I agree with most of what has been said already on the non-vaccination side, so I won't restate it. We continue to stay up to date with news on vaccinations. We may consider doing it when our kids reach school age, and probably if we visit a third world country. Although we have traveled to Australia, Hong Kong, and the USA and have been fine (we are Canadian). My kids are healthier than any other kids I know.
As it has been said, everyone I know who does not vaccinate does so from a very educated point of view. No one wants to see their kids or their country hurt, and we don't make these decisions whimsically or take the responsibility we have lightly. We decide what we think is best for our kids.
No one has brought up the fact that immunizations contain aluminum in levels that have not been tested on babies. And watching how quickly the hpv vaccine was pushed through without adequate testing and how it has been marketed so aggressively (and in my opinion, deceptively), makes me unable to trust these companies. I'm sure most medical professionals have the best intentions in administering drugs and vaccines, and companies originally existed to sincerely help people, but I just can't risk accepting anything blindly.
The way you phrased your question is very condesending and disrespectful, I think. If vaccines were really as amazing as you imply, why would so many educated people be opting out of them? Also, I don't FEEL anything about vaccines. I THINK. This is not a decision I'd make based on feelings, that would be irresponsible.
Making something like vaccines legally required is a really scary concept. So much of our feedom is being taken away these days as it is.
@glorious_and_free@xanga - The final question was slightly altered by the editors, but I'm not sure how the symantics of "Do you feel" vs "Do you think" is condescending. Perhaps you are reading too much into it. You are splitting hairs on an issue completely unrelated.
I also believe that overall education does not translate to education on a specific topic. Is there something specific that correlates education to vaccination refusal? When trying to determine parents rationale for vaccination refusal they (the AAP) found that 25% of parents falsely believe it will weaken their children's immune systems. These parents are clearly not educated. Others still believe mercury is a component of vaccinations. I would question that assumption of a connection to education level.
For those looking to educate themselves on the topic, there is no shortage of reputable sites. Here is a fairly exhaustive list if you would like do some research. I do highly encourage parents to research and educate themselves on the issue. Children will ultimately benefit.
American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP)
www.familydoctor.org
American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)
www.aap.org
www.cispimmunize.org
American Medical Association (AMA)
www.ama-assn.org
American Nurses Association (ANA)
www.nursingworld.org/mods/mod1/cechfull.htm
Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO)
www.astho.org
Association of Teachers of Preventive Medicine (ATPM)
www.atpm.org/education/education.htm
National Medical Association (NMA)
www.nmanet.org
Nonprofit Groups and Universities
Albert B. Sabin Vaccine Institute
www.sabin.org
Allied Vaccine Group (AVG)
www.vaccine.org
Bill and Melinda Gates Children’s Vaccine Program
www.childrensvaccine.org
Every Child By Two (ECBT)
www.ecbt.org
Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI)
www.vaccinealliance.org
Health on the Net Foundation (HON)
www.hon.ch
Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition (HMHB)
www.hmhb.org
Immunization Action Coalition (IAC)
www.immunize.org
Institute for Vaccine Safety (IVS), Johns Hopkins University
www.vaccinesafety.edu
Institute of Medicine
www.iom.edu/IOM/IOMHome.nsf/Pages/immunization+safety+review
National Alliance for Hispanic Health
www.hispanichealth.org/immunization.htm
National Network for Immunization Information (NNii)
www.immunizationinfo.org
Parents of Kids with Infectious Diseases (PKIDS)
www.pkids.org
The Vaccine Education Center at the Children’s Hospitalof Philadelphia
www.vaccine.chop.edu
The Vaccine Page
www.vaccines.com
Government Organizations
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
http://phil.cdc.gov/phil
www.cdc.gov/travel/vaccinat.htm
National Center for Infectious Diseases (NCID)
www.cdc.gov/ncidod
National Immunization Program (NIP)
www.cdc.gov/nip
www.cdc.gov/nip/publications
National Vaccine Program Office (NVPO)
www.cdc.gov/od/nvpo
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
www.niaid.nih.gov/dmid/vaccines
World Health Organization
www.who.int/vaccines
As usual with most "health scares" it is the vocal voice of a select MINORITY that is causing issues for most of the majority. It's tabloid sensationalism at work, and most people are suckers for it. If immunizations and vaccinations were causing all these problems, why havent we heard more about them? You're not going to convince me that it's pharmaceutical companies covering it up as not only are all vaccinations, medications etc. rigorously tested and approved by independent, government-run organizations, but the risk that these companies would run from potential law suits and compensation pay-outs should they be caught are just too great.
As with anything health related, and due to our unique nature, there is nothing that will be 100% perfect, safe, OK.
Childhood immunizations and vaccinations have been around for decades now, and thanks to these programs formerly deadly diseases have either been eradicated completely, or are in steep decline. The overwhelming majority of these events have passed off without mention.
My kids will be getting vaccinated. Those families that claim that their children have developed forms of autism, ADHD and the like should realise that these types of "conditions" are either temporary - like my brother, who had ADHD - or over-prescribed. It's like depression - doctors - especially under-paid, under-staffed General Practioners - find these "conditions" "easy" to diagnose and presecribe appropriate medicine for them. Not to mention that many parents become blind when they see their children, and if they arent the world's next genius/gifted/exceptional person, they look to outside sources to explain their little darlings "shortcomings".
Why dont you just take a step back and realise that a "genius" is RARE. Hence they have that title. If everyone suddenly became a genius, what's so special about it anymore? For once, accept your child for what they are - a wonderful privelege and honor, someone who is unique in their own way and someone that doesnt need to get the best grades, be the next virtuoso, the next Einstein. All they need to be is someone who can bring love into this world and make the world a happier place. That's all. Nothing more, nothing less. Immunizations are a key reason why the child mortality rate in the Western World has fallen to their historic lows. Dont take a chance. Continue the good work. And cherish your child(ren) for the unique individual they are.
In the end though, I believe that the decision to vaccinate should be left up to the parents, as long as they have ALL the material to make an informed decision. To make it mandatory is going a step too far towards a "nanny-state".
*steps off soapbox*
You're pretty damn nosy and misinformed. Don't let someone guilt you into something for your child that you're not comfortable with, people. Momaroo, shame on you.
@NurseJenna - The 'think' vs 'feel' thing was not what I considered condescending. It just seems like you're asking whether we agree with you, or whether we want to endanger public safety. I know you believe what you do very strongly and based on evidence, as do we who disagree with you. I am probably reading into it too much, but the question does not simply ask what we think about vaccinations. It comes across to me as if those who disagree are out to jeopardize everyone's health. Which of course is not true. We all want what is best.
What I said about educated people is just from my own experience. All of the other families I know that don't vaccinate are 'educated' in the sense that they went to university. So I assume that they know how to do their research. And they have done lots of research. I haven't met anyone who doesn't vaccinate that hasn't spent a long time researching it, while I have met many parents who fully vaccinate their kids while having done no research whatsoever. But that's just my own personal observation.
Thanks for the links! I appreciate it and will thoroughly check them out.
I think parents need to be educated on the subject before chosing to vaccinate or not. My daughter is vaccinated, and before she was born I did the research and in my opinion the good outweighed the bad. My daughter has never had earaches, and she's only had one cold since she's been born (she's 20 months old, now). So, whomever it was that asked that question, there is my answer. My daughter has never had the flu, or a fever. I was all vaccinated, and every year I still get my flu shot, and I'm never sick. To me, that small risk isn't worth not getting my children vaccinated.
It depends on how long the immunization has been used, family medical history, and urgency of immunization.
I have a 7 week old and have taken a TON of time researching what we will do about vaccinations. I am an educated woman who is concerned about what I put into my child's body. I have a degree in psychology, and I do not believe that vaccines have caused autism, though I'm glad that most no longer contain mercury.
However, they do still contain massive amounts of aluminum, and the effects of that have not been studied. If a child gets all the shots they're supposed to get in one visit, they are being injected with amounts of aluminum that have been shown to be toxic in adults. I'm not willing to do that to my daughter. At the very least, we will be delaying some vaccines and making sure she only has 2 shots at any given time, only one of them containing aluminum at a time.
I would rather take my chances that my child get a disease that she has a 1 in 500,000 chance of getting than go choose to inject her with something that has a 1 in 250,000 chance of causing brain damage...that is the reality of vaccines in some cases.
I believe a law requiring people to be forcefully injected with anything against their will would be completely against the constitution.
The fact that there is valid research by upstanding organizations supporting both sides is unimportant.
I agree with those that said that the risk of side effects from the vac's are much much less than that of getting the actual disease itself. True my son may get a slight fever after he has his shots but I'd rather one fever than mumps, measles, etc. There has also been speculation about vac's being linked to autism. Yes I'd rather have an autistic child than a dead child. My son will be vaccinated completely
@Tavia_n_Jones@xanga - i don't have kids/i won't have any in my immediate future, but i definitely agree.
hm... probably better to be required
Well I don't have children myself, however, my mother had a very deep paranoia towards public institutions and initiatives, often making claims that the government was trying to take too much control over how children are raised, which conflicted with her religious beliefs about how that is the parents' responsibility alone. As a result I was inconsistently vaccinated as a child.
Honestly I think it is a good idea in theory to require all children to be vaccinated, however there are people like my mother who would have just broken the law and acted like she was some kind of martyr because of it. And then what do you do to enforce it? Take the children away? Jail the parents? Those things in themselves can be very traumatic for children to watch, just in the interests of the children alone. Enforcement is a delicate thing, considering the need to consider a certain degree of personal freedom and parental rights. So I really don't know of a good answer on this issue.
If vaccines truly work, why are people so concerned about those who decide not to get them? If those people are protected, why do they care that I would be more comfortable with my child naturally contracting the chicken pox than getting it in a shot laced with all sorts of harmful toxins? Believe it or not, healthy people have very strong natural immune systems, and there are natural ways to strengthen these immune systems as well.
Most vaccines are "mandated," but thank God there are still exemptions for those of us who have serious philosophical or religious issues with them. One of many is the aborted fetal tissue present in some vaccines. Not for my child, thank you.
I don't care if people vaccinate their children or not, but I think it should definitely be parental choice. I DO believe that every parent has the responsibility of researching fully the pros and cons of the vaccines they are injecting into their children. People put more thought into their nursery color scheme than into what vaccines are truly comprised of, and what risks are out there.
~Mother of soon to be 4 healthy children.
Aluminum is a good point, the amount of aluminum in the Heb B shot that your child receives at birth is far beyond the value deemed "safe" by the CDC yet they want you to inject that into your child? There are too many inconsistencies about topics such as this one to blindly stab your child with every new shot that comes out.
@Tavia_n_Jones@xanga -
I <3 you.
CDC is definitely talking out both sides its mouth on that one.
As a nurse working in public health, I see your point of view & wholeheartedly agree with it. But sometimes it's hard to remember that John Q. Public does not go through healthcare training like we do.
Here is a medical professional's opinion. Not all doctors agree with the vaccination schedule.
http://www.lewrockwell.com/miller/miller15.html
@der_lila_Stern@xanga - for example, we are now finding that the new chicken pox vaccine (and by new, I know that it's been around only 10 years) is only about 70-80% effective. So that might be pretty good odds for some people, but not enough for me. I personally know at least 3 kids who had the vaccine and went on to get full-blown cases of the chicken pox anyway. I don't want my kid to be the guinea pig for a new unproven vaccine for (what I perceive as) a non-threatening disease.
@Erin3838@xanga - exactly - billion dollar industry. I refer again to the example of the new chicken pox vaccine... just because a pharmaceutical company decides there's big money in an illness MOST children will get (and most of us had at one time or another), we have to submit to the vax? We have to submit to a campaign to eliminate chicken pox now? It's totally up to the parent to weigh the risks and do what they feel comfortable with.
i've been immunized...against everything as far as i know. i never got chickenpox, so i say it worked. i'll get my children immunized (when i have kids)