Time for School! Immunizations and Your Child
Let’s start with the Hepatitis B shot. Answer these 2 questions and you will know whether or not your child needs it: 1—will your child be having sex? 2—will your child be doing intravenous recreational drugs (ie: heroin)? The only way to contract Hepatitis B is through blood to blood contact or sexual contact. To me, this is one of the most ridiculous immunizations to subject children to, and it is done typically when newborns are only 2 days old!
Polio—there have been no cases reported in the U.S. since 1999.
Chicken pox vaccine—not yet required everywhere. As most people know, chicken pox are not so bad when contracted at an early age. As one gets older, the degree of discomfort becomes worse. My sister was 12 when she got chicken pox and she was miserable. Even so, most studies for the benefits of this immunization actually focus on lost work days of the parents who have to stay home for a week or so to care for the sick child, rather than actual health threat to the child.
Tetanus—if there is one vaccine that it’s good to get, it would be tetanus. The tetanus vaccine has not been typically associated with adverse outcomes, and if your child ever gets cut with something rusty or gets dirt into a cut, it could lead to tetanus, which, if not treated, is fatal. If you partially immunize your child (and give this information out), it may be difficult to get a waiver for a religious exemption.
Petussis and flu—both of these vaccines are contraindicated for children allergic to egg as they contain egg. Both are also unnecessary because both the flu and pertussis are treatable. Pertussis (whooping cough) will cause your children to be quarantined (at home), and it can be scary for parents due coughing bad enough to cause vomiting.
Diptheria—the incidence of diphtheria in the world is almost nothing with an average of 1 case per year in the U.S. Here is a link showing the worldwide incidence: http://www.cureresearch.com/d/diphtheria/stats-country.htm
Measles—less than 100 cases per year in the U.S. with many of these being imported (immigrants and recent international travelers). Cases of deaths were in complications in people who had long term diseases or were elderly. The MMR shot (measles-mumps-rubella) has been indicated as a probable cause for autism, a disease which has a much higher rate in the U.S. than measles.
The debate is still out on whether vaccines may cause injury through the metal preservatives(mercury or now aluminum--both of which are neurotoxins) or the vaccine itself. There is new scientific evidence that a neurological autoimmune reaction may be a cause of autism as well as a genetic decreased ability to detoxify. Both of these situations could be made worse by receiving vaccinations. In homeopathy, there are certain constitutional types that get worse from vaccination. The point is, everyone is different and each situation is different. It is up to the parents to decide whether or not vaccinations are beneficial for their child.
All states have laws protecting the rights of people who do not want to immunize their children for whatever reason. Here is a link to see, in general, what the law is in your state. http://www.909shot.com/state-site/state-exemptions.htm
Usually, abstaining is as simple as signing the back of the school immunization form, but sometimes a religious waiver exemption form must be filled out and signed. Despite protective laws, parents may feel pressured by school or daycare administrators to give their child shots. Don’t let this happen to you! Educate yourself on immunizations and the laws in your state and make an informed decision.
