Dr. Hofmann-Smith brought up some interesting questions about why vaccines have become so encouraged. Vaccines haven’t been around forever, but due to medical advancement we have seen a rush of research and implementation in the last 100 years. Why is that? Where did it all start? Is there a tipping point where vaccinations stop doing good and start doing harm?
This all sounds quite skeptical, but they are worthy topics to consider when determining what you are willing to put into your child’s body. It reminds me alot of the documentaryFood Inc. Seriously, did you have any idea that was where our food was coming from? (If you haven’t seen this film it is a must … but seperate from dinner. So not a dinner and a movie type of film). Makes your wonder where our vaccines are coming from and who is behind their popularity?
Some thoughts/questions to consider …
- What is the relationship between the government and pharmaceutical companies?
- Are campaign dollars ever received from pharmaceutical companies to encourage a certain drug or vaccine?
- Do cities/counties/states receive federal funds for assuring that a certain number of their population are vaccinated?
- Do doctors receive discounts on medication (or freebies) for vaccinating a certain percentage of their clients?
- How did children vaccination programs get started? Who funds them?
- Why are some doctors who study adverse effects of vaccinations cut out of their professional communities?
I don’t have answers to any of these questions. I know there are always two sides to the story. I welcome your feedback and will post information related to these topics as I come across it. Feel free to share what you know!
Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional. Please do not take any of this information as advice … rather, a review of the information I have gathered and opinions I have developed. Nothing stated is necessarily “right” or “wrong”. Always do you own research and consult with an expert before making important decisions for you and your family.
With the big scare of H1N1 it seemed everyone was running to get the vaccination. The thing that sticks out in my mind is that H1N1 was a new strain of flu. How were they able to make a vaccine so quickly? How was this tested? Are there -long term- side affects? Just because the government says it is safe does not make me a believer. Charity
Charity's statement is so true…just because the government says it's safe does not mean it is truly safe. Those type of "safety" issues take time to see what transpires over YEARS…think back over all the pulled pesticides, medications,lead in toys and food additives that were initially deemed "safe" for us. Don't get me wrong, our children were all vaccinated (20 yrs ago) and I'm sure I would shutter if I went and read the ingredient label on the cereal i just ate…but, read, research, and do what you think is BEST for your family. Gretchen,I am proud of you and Dominic for all you are already doing for our new grandbaby! You are both incredible parents:)
Hello there, I'm new to your blog but wanted to say I think it's great. I too am I huge fan of doing research and preparing before having children. So much so I am not even married to my boyfriend or remotely ready to TTC yet and already have my home waterbirth for our first all planned out in my head lol :S I love that you explore and combine different philosophies of healthcare, I really think that so many people would benefit from doing this with their own families.This whole debate is so fascinating. I feel, in general, we are focusing on the wrong thing when we think about vaccinations.The human body was designed biologically to have the ability become ill and then fight off diseases (in my opinion). I get the feeling that some people think they (or children in general) are never meant to get sick in their life time as this indicates perfect health, when I believe the opposite to be true. I think this ideology has really resulted from the continuing rise of our unrelenting industrial capitalist society where your self worth and perceived health are based on your ability to work (or go to school) than your personal well being.Vaccinations are just ONE method of increasing your immune system's ability to protect you. They are often described as immunisations – which they are NOT – and I think many parents (have been unconsciously and forcefully persuaded to) believe they are the ONLY way to protect their children.
(Continued…) People need to remember that vaccines do generate a considerable income for very socially and politically influential individuals. The concept of 'Vaccinated Herd Immunity' might just be the most ingeniously effective sales and marketing programmes in all of medical (and possibly commercial business) history. Many have made the case that was the discovery and public comprehension of germ theory and the subsequent rise and innovation in sanitation and general living conditions that eradicated many of the diseases BEFORE the discovery of the vaccine. I mean seriously, I really think that if the money spent on vaccinations in the USA (I am in the UK btw) was put towards socialised medical care and health education, the results would be staggering, in terms of true 'Herd Immunity', namely being the increased and improved health of the said 'herd'. Finally, there are many other elements to consider when trying to ensure your child is the healthiest they can be, such as the effect of emotional health / strength of infant-parent attachment and the case of the average human diet (in particular the mother's whilst breastfeeding) and its affects on the increase of disease. I would be grateful if anyone could point me in the direction of a study on the comparative health of infants under 6 months who live in a sanitary 'first world' environment; whose mothers' had an unmediated and non vaccinated pregnancy; had a completely unmediated birth; have received NOTHING (directly – as in not via mum – including oral or injectable vitamins, medications, vaccines. Also dummies (pacifiers) or bottles) but breast milk exclusively at the breast for the first 6 months of life compared to those who were not. I am sure the result would be enlightening. As you can probably tell, I am a huge sceptic and have chosen not to vaccinate my future children or myself while pregnant. I would really like to be able to wait until they are old enough to consent to them for themselves and am willing to sacrifice things like infant international travel to certain destinations. But who knows what the future holds? I think you need to look to (and respect) the past, imagine your future and live in the present. There is no such thing as the perfect choice, you will regret somethings and be only capable of learning things as you experience them, that is parenthood and well …. Life really (imo)Anyway apologies for a rabbling reply and I hope my opinion are useful to you. Best wishes for your birth, little one and future family adventures. I know that you (me and all women in general) can birth beautifully just as we were designed to. PS. I loved your mum’s comment above, with support and encouragement like that you really can’t fail! :)
(Continued Part 2…) People need to remember that vaccines do generate a considerable income for very socially and politically influential individuals. The concept of 'Vaccinated Herd Immunity' might just be the most ingeniously effective sales and marketing programmes in all of medical (and possibly commercial business) history. Many have made the case that was the discovery and public comprehension of germ theory and the subsequent rise and innovation in sanitation and general living conditions that eradicated many of the diseases BEFORE the discovery of the vaccine. I mean seriously, I really think that if the money spent on vaccinations in the USA (I am in the UK btw) was put towards socialised medical care and health education, the results would be staggering, in terms of true 'Herd Immunity', namely being the increased and improved health of the said 'herd'. Finally, there are many other elements to consider when trying to ensure your child is the healthiest they can be, such as the effect of emotional health / strength of infant-parent attachment and the case of the average human diet (in particular the mother's whilst breastfeeding) and its affects on the increase of disease. I would be grateful if anyone could point me in the direction of a study on the comparative health of infants under 6 months who live in a sanitary 'first world' environment; whose mothers' had an unmediated and non vaccinated pregnancy; had a completely unmediated birth; have received NOTHING (directly – as in not via mum – including oral or injectable vitamins, medications, vaccines. Also dummies (pacifiers) or bottles) but breast milk exclusively at the breast for the first 6 months of life compared to those who were not. I am sure the result would be enlightening.
(Continued Part 3…) As you can probably tell, I am a huge sceptic and have chosen not to vaccinate my future children or myself while pregnant. I would really like to be able to wait until they are old enough to consent to them for themselves and am willing to sacrifice things like infant international travel to certain destinations. But who knows what the future holds? I think you need to look to (and respect) the past, imagine your future and live in the present. There is no such thing as the perfect choice, you will regret somethings and be only capable of learning things as you experience them, that is parenthood and well …. Life really (imo)Anyway apologies for a rabbling reply and I hope my opinion are useful to you. Best wishes for your birth, little one and future family adventures. I know that you (me and all women in general) can birth beautifully just as we were designed to. PS. I loved your mum’s comment above, with support and encouragement like that you really can’t fail! :)