Weighing In on Immunizations

My daughter had to have four vaccinations last week. Often a hotly debated subject, the choice of vaccinating one’s child is a very personal decision, sometimes even a religious one. I have mixed feelings.

Some parents may have lingering fears and choose to delay or skip vaccinations for their children altogether. The thought of my daughter contracting one of these preventable diseases like measles, mumps or whooping cough is frightening to me. I choose to have her immunized according to the schedule that her pediatrician recommends. Immunizations are really quite amazing in the way that they have helped to eradicate some of the world’s worst diseases.

Vaccines are made of weakened or “killed” versions of the bacteria or virus that causes a particular disease. Once these modified bacteria or viruses are injected or taken in orally, the body then mounts an attack that stimulates the body to produce antibodies. Once produced, these antibodies remain in the body ready to fight off the real disease.

Some parents feel that their child’s autism is linked to vaccinations. Recently the study that claimed there was a correlation between childhood vaccines and autism was found to be fraudulent and unethical.

Although I feel that everyone’s body is different and may react to vaccinations differently, no parent’s concerns should be looked down upon or dismissed. I admit that a few years ago when the autism/vaccine link was heatedly deliberated between moms, I questioned my pediatrician about it.

Arming yourself with information is your best tool when making a decision for your child. The FDA outlines the ingredients found in some vaccines, which may include antibiotics, mercury preservatives and formaldehyde. You can also research long-term effects of a vaccine. Since the Gaurdasil vaccination is so new, for example, I am waiting to make a decision about whether to administer it to my daughter.

While I am totally on board with the majority of immunizations, there are still a couple that raise concerns to me such as the seasonal influenza, H1N1 shot, and the HPV vaccine. I have never had a flu shot. I understand that there are some groups of people who are more susceptible to contracting the flu, like the elderly or those with compromised immune systems.

Recently Kaila was sick from a virus that caused her to get an ear infection, and she was treated with antibiotics. Her pediatrician performed a flu test on her that was negative. He diagnosed her illness as a flu-like virus. So for me, it seems like even if we get a flu shot, there are plenty of other viruses that can be contracted.

California students will have a new vaccine requirement as of July 1 in response to the recent outbreak of pertussis or whooping cough. Kaila’s pediatrician mentioned he had seen quite a few cases in the last month. Students in grades 7-12 must have proof that they have had a vaccine booster before returning to school for the 2011-12 year. In following years, proof of the booster shot will be required for incoming seventh-graders only.

I hope the dialogue and debate continue on the subject of childhood vaccinations. We parents have the responsibility of not only making an informed decision about our child’s health, but also to ask questions. One thing we all have in common whether we choose to vaccinate or not is that our child’s wellbeing is most important.