Time to get Shot(s) or Not
“Believing myths about vaccines is not the same as getting the facts. That is the core problem.”
~Unknown
August is National Immunization Awareness Month and there continues to be a raging national debate as to the validity and necessity of getting vaccinations for the safety of our children. The idea of children getting vaccines for various illnesses like measles, mumps, and rubella seems to be like a no brainer for sake of health and safety for kids. Diseases like polio have all but been extinguished by aggressive vaccination efforts on a global scale and yet not all illnesses have been eradicated. Why? There are two very different camps when it comes to the need to vaccinate children in the year 2016. There are those who feel the need to not subject their children to vaccines for a long list of reasons and then there are those who feel that vaccinations are the responsible thing to do for their children. Today will be the first part of this debate and I will offer up information from both camps as to let you decide for yourself (I will do my level best to keep a voice of bias out of the article to keep it as objective as possible).
The Anti-vaxxers are a group of parents and doctors who hold reservations as to the necessity of vaccines and their effectiveness against illness versus the potential side effects that could arise from vaccines. The arguments against vaccines include but are not limited to
1) The serious side effects of vaccines
2) The nature and safety of the ingredients of the vaccines/ not natural
3) Government intervention on personal healthcare choices/ infringements on rights
4) Immoral or objectionable ingredients
5) Lack of trust of pharmaceutical companies/ lack of trust of government agencies
The pro side of getting vaccinations argue that the benefits of getting vaccines for kids is not only better for our children but is the responsible thing to do for society as a whole. The following reason for vaccination include but are not limited to;
1) Vaccinations saves lives
2) Vaccines ingredients are safe in the amounts used
3) Major medical organizations (CDC, FDA, WHO…etc.) state that vaccines are safe
4) Adverse reactions to vaccines are extremely rare
5) Helps to eradicate diseases/ protect future generations/ long term economic benefits to society
As I said there are many more reasons for both side of the debate and in my Friday posting I hope to bring some concrete data into the picture. Some information that I do have readily handy today is that vaccinations have all but eradicated certain illness that were very prevalent not so long ago and that thousands of lives have been saved. In that same time frame there has been an increase in ASD (autistic spectrum disorder) in children across the country but there has been no studies that I have found that link vaccines with ASD. The personal choice to vaccinate or not to vaccinate is a very personal one that each parent much make and the responsibility of those choices lay squarely on the shoulders of the parent. An infant cannot advocate for itself and thus the parent holds that responsibility. I am not here to judge, I am here to share information and I will continue this discussion on Friday, my daughter’s birthday. As always thanks for reading, I hope everyone has a great week and if you have any thoughts or comments, please feel free to drop me a line and share your thoughts at wmreid@bhcshealth.comTake care of yourself and each other, remember, we’re all in this together.
Wm Reid
Best Home Care Services
325 N Eastern Ave
Connersville, IN 47331
765-827-9833
wmreid@bhcshealth.com