Vaccines

I have a friend with a genetic disorder where she basically has no immune system. Her health is fragile enough where if you got a minor cold, it could be enough to get her sent to the ICU if passed along to her. The lack of vaccinations like this not only hurt the children who aren't vaccinated but people with lowered or non-existent immune systems like her.

My oldest sister for example has psoriasis and takes immuno-suppressants like Enbrel. This lowers her immune system and makes her susceptible to other auto-immune disorders but again even minor illnesses like the common cold. Wish people weren't so stupid nowadays.

Freedom of expression shouldn't have a negative impact on society around us. The fact that Texas is already among the worst in healthcare treatment and availability is concerning enough. Not mandating vaccinations seems like a good way to start up an infectious disease epidemic in a ISD or other communal setting. And knowing two people personally who already have compromised immune systems, it sucks knowing there's little bastards roaming around unvaccinated because their parent(s) are too dumb.

 

I don't perceive a dilemma, OP. Vaccinations are now taken for granted by people, but they are part of a scientific and medical revolution that greatly expanded human lifespans (basically doubling them in half a century) and reduced childhood mortality for the whole population.

There's just zero legit science supporting the opposition view, and examples like the one @London'sBurning gives are legion. Not getting ones' kids vaccinated is equivalent to saying "I have the right to yell 'fire!' in a crowded theater b/c freedom." No, those acts can get people killed. This is not a conspiracy of drug companies, etc, etc. It's just something that became so accepted that a lot of people can take it for granted, like indoor plumbing. I mean... I guess we could have a movement where people reject toilets and just start pooping in their yards again. That too would cause some problems.

A brainy 10-yr-old I know told me a joke the other day.
"What do you call a 2-yr-old temper tantrum for an unvaccinated kid? ... A midlife crisis."

 

I also have no problem using the power of the state to force people to get vaccinations they don't want.

 

dumb dumb dumb.

Anyone who gets medical advice from social media likes and retweets shouldn't be procreating.

 

...my thoughts are this is bad science and a scam.

 

What's my feeling?

Well, if I trust feelings, the perceived danger of Vaccines (oh and there are plenty to zoom in and get all fearful) is going to make me think twice about vaccines.

If I trust Science, I'll take vaccines like candy (of course not, shots aren't too fun).

Unfortunately for the world, feelings >>> logic or science. Fortunate for world, the fear of un-vaccinated is still much greater than the fear of vaccination... for now.

 

It's not vaccines. The increasing number of kids with physical/mental issues is due to the growing number of women having children later in life.

 

Anyone been in a situation where you can't be around the family of a close family member because their kids aren't vaccinated and you need to protect your own?

 

My wife's brother's brother-in-law is an anti-vaxxer. I'm keeping my baby girl away from that family. Not super close, but I've seen them once a year or so. Even worse is he's an MD.

 

People that do not vaccinate their children need to be forced to do so.

 

I think its more about having the first child later in life. Some might be surprised you came with this take given other views you have expressed on other subjects. I think that was the issue with Jenny McCarthy's son and she blamed vaccines.

This is the issue, the government or any health agencies really haven't really pushed this about women waiting later to have children and sometimes i wonder are they being sensitive towards women who bave autistic kids in this circumstance. I heard something about the age issue when McCarthy was in the news then never heard about it again

 

Vaccines should be mandatory.

 

Perhaps we can do testing on those not vaccinated.

 

Yeah, imagine it being your brother and his wife. I also have a cousin who has made the same choice.

What's strange about this is that educated (college degrees) parents are more likely to choose not to vaccinate. But MDs are about as likely to vaccinate as non-educated parents and they usually vaccinate on schedule.






It does look like this is a woman's/mother's issue more than a man's/father's issue. Women are the one's choosing to have kids later in life and, at least in the cases I'm involved in and in the public push, they are the one's pushing it more so than the fathers.

 

My kids are vaccinated, so I don't worry about us catching something from an anti-vaxxer. The concern is more for situations like @London'sBurning describes -- people who have medical conditions that leave them vulnerable.

I get the personal liberty concern. Pro-choice advocates should be especially sensitive to arguments about being able to choose what to do with your own body. I guess I'm not as big on personal freedoms as some people (I can already hear the amens from one corner of the room), and I think sometimes we should ask people to sacrifice for the greater good.

I'm not a fan of outright requiring them. But, I do like the approach of schools and other institutions requiring it as a condition of participating.

 

The age of the father has also been linked to autism (and ADHD): https://www.healthline.com/health-news/does-older-sperm-cause-autism#1

 

I have a baby and a toddler. From what I've been told, the baby should not be around an unvaccinated child until she has received the measles vaccine. And even after it is still a risk.

I agree with you that parents could do what they want, but they need to understand the science and accept that society could and should reject them.

 

I remember those days. I have to be honest, I was never one of those parents who worried about the kids catching some illness. I'd roll my eyes at the parents who wanted people to wash their hands before picking up their baby. And my attitude wasn't really rational because babies really are more vulnerable. But, I got away with it without any fatalities.

Separate vaccination story. About 20 years ago, I got a puppy and I was very careful to not take the puppy to the dog park until she was old enough to get her vaccines. Then, she got her vaccines and I started taking her to the dog park. She got parvo and died. It sucked, but there are no guarantees in life.

 

There are not more "studies" being released that support skipping vaccines. In fact, it's the opposite. There was yet another expansive study done that was peer reviewed that showed no link between vaccines and autism or other issues. Anti-vaxxers releasing new compilations of anecdotes does not equal "more studies" being released.