Non Vax Babies and Vacation

Hi there,

Although vaccinations are always the personal choice of the parent, coming from a medical family of socialized medicine..(where they are trying to prevent health issues and not capitalize on them) I have learned that it is very important to vaccinate your children. My father in law is a heart surgeon and the chief of staff at the largest hospital in Buenos Aires. The risk of any side effect is so low, and so inconsequential to the possible pain and suffering of the diseases we vaccinate for. I understand that many people have spiritual, intellectual, and emotional opinions about vaccinations, but this is not an American idea, children across the world are vaccinated for good reason. As far as children who are vaccinated playing with children who aren't, there is some risk involved, hence the reason why US LAW prohibits unvaccinated children from entering public schools with the exception of a spiritual/religious reason. It is not a conspiracy, it is for good reason. An unvaccinated child can have antibodies of certain diseases that a vaccinated child may not have as their vaccinations come in a certain order, so they can be exposed to something their bodies are not prepared for. But that could also be the case with two unvaccinated children, so it's hard to speculate on that. I really think, and this is only my opinion, so please understand that what's right for you is right for your child, that children are healthier and better equip to travel and be in contact with foreign persons and bacterias found all over when they have been properly vaccinated. I am not sure where you live, but I do know that California has a high risk of Hepatitis A and reccomends vaccinating for it over any other state. I hope this helps, and like I said, trust your instincts, but it's probably best to talk to a trusted doctor and stay informed!

Take care,

S.

Z., I almost decided to not vax my two boys. I went to 3 different docs and all told me the same thing, you can make your own decision; however, if you do not vax you are doing more harm than good. So many children are not vax in the world, with travel the way that it is so many disease are coming into the US each and every day that without vax you are almost assured that your baby is going to catch something. I had both of my boys vax (they are 2 and 4 now) and everything is normal. My husband is an airline pilot and flys all over and he sees all the different diseases that are out there, I can't imagine having to take care of one of my boys through whooping cough or measles or something even more dangerous, knowing that I could have prevented this with a shot. Please reconsider and get some other medical opinions especially before you travel anywhere with your baby.

It is doing your child a great disservice to not vaccinate. If you do some indepth research, you will find that there is no correllation between immunizations and some of the issues and disorders rumored to be related to them. The risks of contracting some of the diseases that have been erradicated because of immunizations far outweighs the supposed risks of vaccinating your child. **There is a famous longitudinal study of MMR and autism in Japan, where the country quit giving that combination of vaccinations to their children as a result of controversy that the MMR caused the onset of autism. Despite the removal of the innoculation, autism was still on the rise in Japan, so the vaccination has been reinstated. Do the research...then do the math. Immunize your child. There will be no need to worry while travelling....besides, I think Vegas will be okay to travel to. The reason is most Americans innoculate.

Have you talked to a Dr. about this? I am for vaccinations as we don't want to go back a century and have things like polio crop up again that was only erradicated through the use of vaccinations! Think about chicken pox...when I was growing up, almost everyone I knew had experienced that awful disease. My son is now starting 1st grade and not one of his Kindergarten classmates have experienced it due to now having a vaccine for it!

I know if you plan on enrolling your child in the public school system, they won't allow attendance until vaccinations are current as that puts all other children at risk from your child. As well, I am scared to think of boarding an airplane with a non-vaccinated person on-board. Think of how easy it is to catch the flu or a cold virus being cooped up in the re-circulated air of an airplane and now imagine how rapidly other airborne diseases could travel in that same environment.

I am not trying to berate you, I am just hoping you really consider the dangerous ramifications to your child (and all other children who come into contact with her) for not being vaccinated. If you look at the research articles regarding this, much of those who tout "the dangers" of being vaccinated are from unsubstantiated, not sound clincal research! One example is the much referred to one that states that autism is a result of the MMP vaccine. Nope!...UNSUBSTANTIATED!!! Much of it is hype. If you do stumble upon research that says vaccines are "dangerous" you have to read such research with a critical eye. There are many people out there who know how to easily skew the statistics to read in their favor, or who start a research study with a bias already in mind. Do you know what makes a research article valid and reliable? You have to discern those two variables before taking a research study on its "word".

If you think this is the best thing for you and your baby, more power to you, I just really hope (for your child's sake, and again, all other children who come into contact with her) that you have valid and reliable results to go from in making this decision!

Sincerely,
S.

I think you should do more research before deciding not to vax. As the non vax people protest it is all big medicine and money that drives the industry - it is also disease!!! There has been major declines in many diseases. Many schools will not let your child attend unless they've been vaccinated - even summer camps, play groups, etc..... I believe you should do what you want to do, but I hope you are fully informed on both ends of the debate before deciding not to do something that has been proven helpful and healthful for millions.

As far a taking your baby on a trip to someplace in the US when they are not vaccinated, there is no more risk then taking them to your local grocery store as far as what they can catch. Vaccinating is a personal choice, but it is a touchy subject for me because although it is a personal choice it is not only your child you put at risk. There are several diseases that have almost been completely eradicated, especially here in the US, because of vaccinations. Most countries without the means to vaccinate would love the abitilty to do so.....to see the suffering, long term problems, and death so many of these diseases cause stopped in their country also. Unfortunately they do not have the same access to medical advances that we as Americans are so lucky to have. When you choose not to vaccinate you put other children at risk. Most people you will talk to that choose not to vaccinate say "why are you worried, your child is vaccinated so it's only my child that may get it. That is, if you believe the vaccination works". What they forget is that children are vaccinated for these disease at certain ages, so very young children/babies are still at risk until they are vaccinated. We are starting to see outbreaks in the US again of diseases that were almost eradicated because people choose not to vaccinate. Anyway, it is a personal choice yes, but don't forget it affects other people too. And whatever your decision make sure the information you get is from reliable sources. You can look anywhere online and get pros and cons for vaccinating and not vaccinating, but if you look at the sources most are unreliable and cannot back their facts with any proof. Good luck with whatever your decision and enjoy your trip. :)

the risks of not vaccinating your child are so much higher then if you vaccinate her... i wouldnt want my kids to play with someone who isnt vaccinated... i have three daughters and have had no problems with any of their shots...

hi Z. nice name where are you from? my daughter is almost 4 and has all her vaccines but i also don't want to give anymore shots to her. how funny people assume you have a boy just cuz she has blue on.....

I just wanted to offer support on your decision to not vax. I chose our pediatrician because he said vax'ing was our decision. I didn't realize that those kinds of docs are hard to find. Anyways, I would not worry about taking your child on vacation. I would have second thoughts about going outside of the country, but I think you are okay in Vegas. :)

I am in the same boat as you. I stopped after his 4 month vacs. He is now 10 months old. He has been on an airplane 8 times already due to our families living far away, and we have had no problems with it. Not sure when or if I will get him all his vacs but I am happy with my decision so far. Have a great trip!

As the mother of a now 3 year old girl who did not get her first shot until age 2 (I am going to wait for any more) and who has taken at least 2 plane trips a year, I can say that there is nothing to worry about. Children need to be exposed to the world. Their bodies need germs to build up recognition. If they catch a cold, it will be fine. That's about the only thing you might catch. There are polio hot spots (Afghanistan - poor diet/sanitation - is one) but you aren't visiting a place with outbreaks. Visit the mothering.com Vaccination discussion board. You'll read other stories of mothers whose children had reactions, where the children are not the same afterwards. My firstborn did not, but I did not want to risk it. As far as travel, just use your common sense. My babies were not allowed on a public bathroom floor, for example. Just wash your hands (and hers) when need be. Santa Monica pediatrician Dr. Jay Gordon (www.drjaygordon.com) has a Vaccination DVD you might want to check out. He is a big proponent of spacing them out (waiting until the child's body is older and stronger) and being selective. Dr. Robert Sears is also coming out with a new Vaccination (with the latest information on diseases and risks.)

My girls are all vaxed. But I was wondering..if you don't vacinate you kids, how are you going to get them into school. For public schooling at least you need to have your kids vaxed. It is required and if you don't then they can't proceed to enroll your child. So those of you who don't vax, what do you do about schooling?

Like others said, since you are in the US you should be fine. I am not a fan of vaccines either - my daughter had a HORRIBLE reaction at 2 and 6 months old (ie first time screaming and a fever of 105 for 3 days, second time she fell asleep within minutes of getting the shot and could not be woken up for over 5 minutes trying EVERYTHING to arouse her and no it was not nap time) So knowing from experience to the moms who are wondering about school certain situations such as mine allow you to obtain a waiver for certain vaccines. That being said, however, some shots carry a higher chance of complications than others so you may want to reconsider getting her some of the shots but not all of them. For example, eliminating the polio component of the DtP and just getting her the Dt - This way she is protected from tetanus which is very important since there is a high risk for this infection throughout childhood bumps and bruises. I also felt strongly about making sure she got the hep B shot since kids tend to share a little too much bodily fluid at times without meaning to. I would get your little one her tetanus shot *just in case* she were to scrape herself on her trip (or anywhere) since the cruising age will be coming up fast. Have fun on your vacation! :)

I congradulate you on your decision to be informed on vaccinations. People are ignorant and blindly trust their doctor as GOD and don't even know they have the choice to not vaccinate! Ofcourse your children can attend school! People on here have no idea what they are talking about! I have the right as a parent to NOT vaccinate for religious and otherwise philisophical reasons. You just sign the waiver on the back of the blue form. Anyway, many people blindly give their children vaccines when they don't even know what the ingredients are! There are so many reasons not to vax based on what is inside them alone, let alone the links to cancer, autism, Neurological disorders, ADHD, etc etc. I won't get into this because it wasn't your question. Traveling in the US is fine. I would be more worrisome if you were traveling outside of the US. But you and your baby will be just fine. My babies aren't vaxed and what I worried about the most for small babies is whooping cough. In Vegas there are alot of older people who cough- keep baby away from the smoke and the crowds of older people! That's my only advice. My baby did have whooping cough and had a bad cough for a long time that I treated with homeopathic medicine and she's fine now. Most of the vaccines are for mild childhood illnesses that we and our parents have never had- yet we are giving them to our kids! Anyway, you can email me if you want more info!

EDITED TO ADD: Whoever said that they wouldn't let their kids play with an unvaxinated child- how do you know who is or isn't vaxed????? That is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard of. If you are so sure that vaxes work and your child is vaxed, then why are you worried?? A child who is not vaccinated is more at risk of getting a disease from the children who were recently vaxed. And yes most of the diseases are irradicated from the US- so why would I put formaldahyde and other known toxins in my child's body???

For me, this is a RELIGOUS exemption and I have every legal right to NOT vaccinate.