To Vaccinate or Not

[Shawnna]

I see your point, and appreciate the emotional energy you have invested in this very important public health policy.

By your logic, 'the medical system lied so we can't believe anything'.  I'm not going to go down that toxic path.  

No, not at all!

My logic is:

The medical system lied so we should question what they tell us...be open to other sources of information that aren't from the pharmaceutical industry...and cross reference everything so that we can make an informed decision, rather than accepting the medical system as the sole, authoritative source of information.

That is helpful clarification, thank you.

I have chosen to have both of my sons vaccinated and I will continue to vaccinate myself as needed because vaccines are supported by clear evidence to eliminate suffering and death from preventable disease.  It is also knowing I would never want a choice I've made to potentially harm another.

No one is judging your choice. I'm certainly not. You have the right to your choice.

But your statement - that vaccines are supported by clear evidence to eliminate suffering and death from preventable disease - simply isn't true. I have just provided irrefutable proof that, at the very least, some of that 'evidence' has been called into question. And that's not even counting the abundant evidence from families whose stories have been suppressed.

What is true is that the medical industry TELLS US that vaccines are supported by clear evidence. That is what they tell us. But unless one has read all the scientific research themselves, and interviewed hundreds of families themselves, then they really don't know for sure...they are simply choosing to believe what they've been told by the fox who guards the henhouse.

{snip}

I am happy that you and your children are fine. Most are. Most people get vaccinated and they don't suffer any ill effects, or at least none that have been connected to the vaccines.

(emphasis in your statement above in red is mine)

You've just stated my point - most do get vaccinated (thank you God!) and never suffer any ill effects.  In doing so, they are also choosing to help support good public health and protect vulnerable others from contracting a potentially lethal disease.



My heart aches for all who suffer.  Whether it be from a bad reaction to a vaccine or when contracting a potential fatal, preventable disease.

Interestingly enough, there was a story on NPR this morning (I don't believe in coincidence!) about the vaccine court and a woman whose 12 month old son became ill at the same time he got the measles vaccine.  She has tried for 15 years to find one doctor - just one doctor - to say that the measles vaccine he received was likely to have contributed (not caused, just 51% chance to have likely to contributed) to her son's disability.  She's never been able to find one doctor that with their training believes that to be the case.

In the family's situation above that you so eloquently illustrated, I'd be wondering about a genetic predisposition of some sort with the same situation occurring to multiple siblings.  (yes, I can't even imagine her pain and struggle).

It is clear you subscribe to a school of thought that seems to believe a youtube video constitutes irrefutable proof - not in my book it doesn't.  I've yet to see anything that constitutes scientific evidence that vaccines cause autism.  



People can have an adverse reaction.  Our vaccine court has been designed to rule in favor of the patient - it only requires a 51% likelihood that a vaccine contributed to their malady.  

Could we do more?  Absolutely!  Medicine and vaccine research is ongoing and I'm very hopeful for a good Ebola vaccine that can be used on a widespread basis very soon.  I'm also excited about genome research leading to better medicine designed for each individual.  

We don't live in a perfect world - of that we can all agree.  But at some point we have to do what is best for the greater good; rather than operate out of fear of what may happen to a very, very small number of individuals while at the same time making sure that if there is a negative reaction, we support and take care of the individuals and families involved.