We chose to immunize. I'd rather give my child the best start at life as possible and that included immunizations.

I think parents are well within their rights to question the safety and even the necessity of vaccination. Medical science is not infallible, and we’ve all seen a number of drugs recalled recently because they have proven to be dangerous…and vaccines are no different. The number of vaccines required by law has tripled in the last 15 years, and any parent has a right and a duty to safeguard their children’s health by questioning vaccines.

The chicken pox vaccine is a good example. When my two oldest kids were young they didn’t have the vaccine and so they got chicken pox when they were little. Now we have a vaccine so not many children get chicken pox. But this could backfire as not many vaccines give life long immunity and few adults go in for routine boosters. Chicken pox is much more severe if you get it as an adult and it has a higher rate of complications.

Why do we even have a vaccine for such a routine childhood illness? It made much more sense a decade ago to let children get chicken pox when they were little and then they would be immune for life.

I think parents should have the right to pick and choose which vaccines to give their children; I don’t think the state should regulate that.

I would definitely have my kids immunized without a doubt. I think this is necessary and not a choice whether to have it or not.

I agree with being able to pick & choose the vaccines you get your child. I mean, when I was little my grandma had 'chicken pox' parties when me & my brother got them so that all our cousins & friends were exposed to them too. I don't understand why they have a chicken pox vaccine either. My husband got them when he was 18 & for years everyone thought he was sterile because he didn't have kids till he was 25. Now that may not seem to be a serious complication to you, but it was very serious to him. He always wished he had gotten them when he was younger like his sisters.

I didn't think immunization was a choice. But even if it isn't I don't mind doing it because the benefits way outdo the setbacks.

I think each parent should have the right to chose to vaccinate their children. I also would encourage parents to research all vaccinations before giving them.

I had both of my children immunised, and I felt that it was the right thing to do. I think it is better to be safe then sorry.

Originally Posted by Suki

The chicken pox vaccine is a good example. When my two oldest kids were young they didn’t have the vaccine and so they got chicken pox when they were little. Now we have a vaccine so not many children get chicken pox. But this could backfire as not many vaccines give life long immunity and few adults go in for routine boosters. Chicken pox is much more severe if you get it as an adult and it has a higher rate of complications.

you bring up a really good point. I never thought about it like that before, but it does make sense. I guess my parents are weird. I did have all these childhood illnesses, but they also decided that it was best I got the vaccines so I sort of have double up. From what I have read it seem to have change a bit since I was younge though. I got most of my vaccines while in school, but now it seem like they give more when the kids are younger.

Some parents I know are worried about the possible link between vaccines and autism. There is no proof that there is a link, but it is enough for me to do my own research and space out the vaccines a bit.

Originally Posted by EviesEarth

I think each parent should have the right to chose to vaccinate their children. I also would encourage parents to research all vaccinations before giving them.

Couldn't this lead to some serious outbreaks of some of those diseases and set us back 50 to 100 years? I think it could. My daughter had the vaccinations that were required and I never even thought of not getting them and risking those deadly diseases.

Vaccinations are not 100% prevention of diseases. There is always a window of opportunity for the disease to infect someone. Also, some vaccinations only cover a select number of the strains that a virus can have. Like I said, learn about the vacc before giving them. And I don't mean by just reading what the Dr gives you in the waiting room. Do some of your own research.