Encountered this article today: The Terrifying World Of Vaccine Adjuvants. The topic of vaccines and potential harm to children has been a hot topic and certainly one that my wife and I are intensely interested in. We researched quite a bit prior to making our own decision with regard to our daughter. We decided not to allow any vaccines to be administered.
Let me explain our reasoning:
Syringe plunging into a vaccine bottle
- Several vaccines still contain Thimerosal as a presevative. Thimerosal contains mercury and may have adverse effects on a child’s development. It is because of this that it is banned in 70 countries (just not the US). The new H1N1 vaccine will include it.
- Most of the illnesses that children are vaccinated against are not life threatening. Some have the potential to cause long-lasting, severe, health problems, but these complications are generally very rare.
- Long term effects of vaccines are not fully known.
- Now we can add adjuvants to the list…
I know that there are good arguments for vaccines, as well. The best articulated one is that vaccines have virtually wiped out some major illnesses here in the States. Polio is often given as the example.
While I am sure that vaccines have had a tremendous effect there, I don’t know if they are the only cause. Can’t overall health of the population account for some of that? Changes in diet? Improvements in medical care overall?
Ruby’s first pediatrician was rather unhappy with our decision. She was adamant that the shots were necessary and that any threats to her health were greatly exaggerated.
I imagine many doctors feel defensive in the presence of parents who make the same decision. This way of thinking challenges a great orthodoxy in modern medicine. Professionals are very protective over standard practice; that which they have ingested and internalized since they began their studies.
Western medical practice and ethics seem to mandate that we address any possible future ill effects in the present. For example, mumps potentially causing infertility in males. Parents and providers are so concerned about a one in a million chance of permanent damage from illness that they rush to treatment/prevention – consequences of that be damned!
Could it be that we are promoting worse outcomes? We have all heard speculation that Thimerosal is responsible for the increase in incidences of autism over the last twenty or so years. I know that many disagree that this is the case, e.g. the CDC, but I don’t think it’s safe to rule out completely – given the strong correlation.
In the end, it just comes down to doing the best for my daughter. I understand that there are bigger issues of public health to consider, but my greatest responsibility is for the health of my child. There is indeed a stronger risk that she will contract mumps or measles and the like. It is highly unlikely, however, that she would suffer permanent ill effects from one of those illnesses.
Exposing her to low levels of mercury and those crazy adjuvants, though, is likely to have some effect on that growing brain and body. It’s a risk we’ve elected not to take.
What to all of you think? Feel free to start a debate in the comments section.
EDIT: Childhood vaccines no longer include thimerosal in the States. Please read the comments for a continued discussion and updated information.
Tags: Health, Medicine, Parenting, Vaccinations
Point of information – thimerosal has not been used in childhood vaccines in the U.S. since 2001. While I respect your decision not to vaccinate, my personal belief is that you’re putting your child at greater risk (not to mention creating problems for yourself with schools, sports, etc.) by not vaccinating. Just my $0.02.
Admittedly not the best researched post. Good to know about the thimerosal; I had thought it was still used in a few. Because it is ruled out, however, does not mean that we have completely dealt with the presence of mercury and other harmful additives. Here is a reference: http://www.immunizationinfo.org/vaccine_components_detail.cfv?id=61.
I am aware that my daughter is at higher risk of contracting certain illnesses. The effects of most of these illnesses generally last as long as the illness itself. Long lasting, debilitating conditions as the result of mumps, rubella, etc. are exceedingly rare. There is evidence, though, that vaccines themselves can cause long term, irreparable harm – this may also be an unlikely outcome, but it’s there.
It seems to me that the debate on both sides is somewhat fear driven. There are good, rational points on both ends and it was a difficult decision for us. That being said, I have great distrust for the drug companies and the FDA (which often operates as if it supports the industry’s profit motive ahead of the needs of the public).
I feel that either way we are playing a little game of Russian roulette with our children and only time will tell who is really getting the bullet.