Strife over shots: Should our kids play together?
What this article doesn't mention is children like Drew (and other DiGeorge kids who read this blog), whose immune systems are too compromised to receive vaccines. We count on the rest of the population to vaccinate for their protection. So if someone makes the choice not to vaccinate, I respect that it is their choice, even though I disagree with it. What I would appreciate is the courtesy to let others know of their decision so that we can protect our children from exposure to potentially life-threatening illnesses. In a healthy child who is unvaccinated against chicken pox, they most likely will contract the virus if they are exposed to it. An immune compromised child exposed to the virus by an unvaccinated child or someone else, could get sick enough to require hospitalization or even die. So I do think it's my business to know who is vaccinated and who isn't. Then I can make my own decisions about who my child has contact with.
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8 comments:
Molly's vaccinated. Can we play with you? :) Well said... as always!
Amy
Very interesting article. I also love your perspective on it. To be honest I would not have thought of your end of it. That you depend on other childrens vaccinations because you do not yet have the option to give Drew the vaccinations. If I was in your shoes I would have no reservations about asking people that Drew is going to play with whether or not they have been vaccinated because your risks are way to high to not ask. I have come across many children in my days that have opted not to vaccinate. I too believe it is a personal choice but one I may not necessarily agree with. Parents do not have to have the 14 shots in one (ok a little exageration) if they are fearing autism. When Tommy was getting his 9 months shots (I think it was 9 months) they wanted to give him a shot that had 6 different meds in it. I requested the single shots to be given over a few months time. It meant more pokes for my little guy in the long run but I did not have to fear that my son would get autism. I think making the request to get single med shots is an excellent middle ground and one that keeps my child protected as well as the other children that are not able to get the vaccines because it is not safe as well as the children that have parents that believe vaccines are not necessary. Thanks for sharing Andrea
Kristina
Very well said! And I agree with Kristina about separating the shots if you're worried...
This topic just gets my blood boiling. Even before I had a heart baby, I just didn't get it. Why would you not want to vaccinate your children? I understand that some people link them with autism (I personally do not believe this), but most of the people I know who choose not to vaccinate tend to just be anti-conformity types who don't want to conform to the rest of society. This is not a good enough reason! Your DiGeorge baby, and many other immune-compromised children are at risk because of them. UGGHGhghhh!! Ok, I think all of you DiGeorge mamas have inspired me to write my own post about this topic. Thanks for the fuel.
The debate on vaccinations has scared me to death since we first learned about Drew's immune system. I know a woman in my office is sending your link to her brother who just had a baby and is sure it will convince them to vaccinate. They had been discussing the pros and cons. So, Andrea, we will just educate the world one by one and make life a little easier for these special children that have already been through enough, and don't need to be battling chicken pox or anything else that can be prevented!
Love, Mom
AMEN sister...
you tell them!!!
You are SO eloquent in your words...sometimes I get a little miffed about the whole topic.
There just isn't enough education out there. If we didn't have our little Digeorgers...we wouldn't know either. I think that you should run for some public office and spread the word!!!
GO GET THEM ANDREA!!!
love,
kathy
I could not agree more. As a mother of a sick child, and a teacher, I feel I should have the right to not have students that are not vaccinated. Measles, whooping cough, etc., are all on the rise, and I'm around kids every day that haven't been vaccinated.
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