On Weekend Edition Saturday November 7,2009 NPR Host Scott Simon interviewed Michael Spector author of Denialism. Mr. Spector claims that parents who choose not to vaccinate for other than religious or cultural reasons are in denial. He compares refusing to put a foreign substance in the body to persons who eat only natural and organic foods and state they have a fetish. Scientific data that he quotes is the only evidence he feels is acceptable - others are irrational. http://www.npr.ort/templates/story.phpstoryid=120139776&f=#120140281 .
Mr. Spector is not giving today's public credit for being knowledgeable, doing their own research, and making conscious choices to avoid complications such as heavy metal poisoning from preservatives or autism, diabetes and asthma. http://www.physorg.com/news132405658.html
There are books and articles authored by doctors that back up these facts. http://form.douglasreport.com/reports/vaccines.pdf
If this kind of scientific data isn't enough, consider lawsuits: http://www.uscfc.uscourts.gov/osm
I applaud those parents who choose to go against social and government pressure not to vaccinate. As a nurse I believe some but not all vaccinations are necessary and helpful.
There is more than one right. Yes we need to consider the good of the majority, but we also should not ignore the health and welfare of the individual. Infants are not able to decide these weight issues on their own. Immunizations are started the same day they are born in the hospital. I recommend that all parents, and expecting parents have careful discussions with their child's physician about the efficacy of each and every vaccine and research all sides of the issue before blindly following one camp or the other.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this important subject! I really appreciate the links you provided. As a childbirth educator, I have new parents as me all the time about immunizations. I tell them it is a very personal decision and how important it is to educate themselves. It's nice to have resources to send them to!
ReplyDeleteDear Kari: if you will copy and paste this URL you will find another very comprehensive blog about parent's responsibilities with immunizations written in 2008.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.responsibilityproject.com/blog/post/needling-questions-immunizing-kids/?src=keyword_s=ggl_K=Immunization_C=Parenting_G=Needle_Immunization_M=Broad
This is an important post. We should definitely educate ourselves and make informed decisions.
ReplyDeleteNice blog. It's a little late for me to worry about immunizations, but I presume the same holds true about which medications old people take or refuse to take. The more we know about our choices, the better the odds are of choosing right. Keep up the good work. Anna
ReplyDeleteYou are right Anna. No matter what age, or what treatment, tests, or medications it is wise to research what is best for you and make a fully informed decision.
ReplyDeleteThis is an important issue, particularly for parents like me with a child on the Autistic Spectrum. I don't know if my son's vaccinations had anything to do with his Asperger's Syndrome, but I do believe that in today's world we often over-prescribe and over-medicate. It's up to parents to take this issue seriously and educate themselves.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comment. Best wishes for you and your son.
ReplyDelete