To vaccinate or not to vaccinate: That is the question
A couple of weeks ago, I covered a topic in House Calls that sparked wide- ranging interest. The topic was about parents in Maryland who were threatened with jail time if they didn't report to a courthouse about their children's vaccinations—or lack of. This particular email brought in a slew of responses, mostly of outrage. But there were a number of concerns in there, as well.
Questions ranged from "Should my child have ever had vaccines?" to "Should I avoid vaccines altogether as an adult?" to "How do I get it out of me?"
I'll give it to you straight.
When it comes to vaccines, my concern has always been about the new ones. Why? Because new vaccines are sprung onto the market untested for long-term side effects.
That's the sort of approach best described as throw it on the wall and see if anything worthwhile sticks. That's not good enough, especially when it comes to a chemical concoction that you're shooting directly into the human body.
When weighing whether or not to give one of my patients a vaccine, here's my hard and fast rule that I follow: It must pass the seven-year test.
This is about the amount of time it takes for a new vaccine on the market to show its little unexpected surprises in the form of side effects. The manufacturers are still working out the kinks—while it's out there being sold and injected into countless arms.
I know it's especially hard to avoid all the media hoopla that surrounds a new vaccine that's hitting the market. These savvy drug companies whip up a frenzy of excitement, their intent to get everyone on the bandwagon of their latest and greatest.
Their mindset? Let the chips fall where they may.
And don't get me started on some of the unsavory ingredients that make up that chemical cocktail. It sounds like muck you'd find on the floor of some industrial waste plant: formaldehyde, neurotoxins such as mercury, phenol, and MSG, and even accidental contaminants that make their way in. Who wouldn't feel opposed to vaccines when you consider this recipe that seems like something you'd find in Dr. Frankenstein's lab.
I can't make the choice for you about whether you or your children should be vaccinated. I say it's best to weigh the risks and any proposed benefits first. There's an ongoing debate that has been raging as to whether or not some of these vaccines have led to the spike in cases of autism in children, which has already led to parents questioning their doctors. The jury is still out on the role these vaccines may have had in autism cases.
I recommend you do your research and discuss your concerns with your doctor or your children's or grandchildren's pediatrician. They may not have read the research themselves to know what your concerns are—all the more reason for you to educate yourself.
Be informed, and remember that, even in Maryland, you can still claim a religious exemption—no questions asked—should you decide against vaccination for your children.
