Moms Talk Q&A: Vaccinations

Each week our Moms Council will discuss a different parenting issue. Join the conversation by weighing in on a topic or asking the expert panel your questions.

This week's question comes from :

Vaccines: What doesn't kill us makes us stronger? Vaccinations have been subject to much debate. Some parents swear by them as necessary steps to protect their child from illnesses. Others say they're unnecessary and potentially harmful, accusing them of having life-changing side effects. Whether it is "well-baby" immunizations, the flu shot, HPV or one of the others, what choices have you made for your family? 

: While I absolutely recognize the risks and controversies associated with vaccines, our family has chosen to follow the vaccination schedule for our children. Aside from the fact that my mother-in-law is a pediatrician who strongly believes in the value of vaccines, my own research helped bring me to the conclusion that the benefits of vaccines outweigh the risks for our family. While I recognize that there have been some severe reactions to vaccines, these are very rare and the risk of complications from preventable infections is much higher and, to me, more serious. In fact, in areas where immunization coverage was reduced in recent years, increases in vaccine preventable infections are common, including a resurgance of pertussis and diphtheria. With the global nature of our society, there is still a risk of infection by preventable diseases. In addition, children who are not vaccinated put all kids at risk, including children too young to receive their vaccines and those who can't be vaccinated due to immune system problems.

That being said, I am still careful with vaccinations; at our twins' 4-year well visit, they were scheduled to get four or five different vaccines. After discussing the reasons for the timing of the vaccines, the risks and other issues with our pediatrician, we agreed to spread the vaccines over the year between their 4th and 5th birthdays. So while we are cautious, and make sure we are knowledgable about the risks and benefits of the various vaccines, we are still strong proponents of taking advantage of the public health achievements and the advancements in preventing diseases that have serious complications. 

Chris Hakenkamp: I have a problem even with the wording of this question. In a way you are perpetuating the myth that well baby vaccinations are harmful. The single paper suggesting a link between autism and MMR shots has been retracted and it has been shown that the author falsified data for his own personal gain (he had financial ties to an alternative vaccine regime). Thousands of people world-wide are now coming down with measles and there have been deaths of young children because their parents choose not to vaccinate.

: The controversy surrounding vaccines is scary and I remember when my kids were babies I was nervous about the possible side effects. However, we felt the benefits outweighed the risks and had our children vaccinated. Additionally, we continue to regularly immunize our children against the flu. I remember a few years ago when swine flu was the scourge, and the vaccine was new, we debated about having our kids immunized. One of our sons has asthma so he falls in a “high-risk” category so we consulted with our doctor and decided to get them both immunized. We feel that immunizing our children is a benefit to them and to your children as well because our children won’t be passing along preventable contagious diseases.

: We have chosen to vaccinate our girls based on our doctors recommendation. We have always done the well baby immunizations as well as the flu shot each year and haven't had any issues yet. My pediatrician is very conservative and has us come more frequently for well check ups which I have felt to be beneficial especially when I was a first time mom.

: I have listened to the debate on vaccinations with much interest. My thoughts on those parents who have "Chicken Pox Parties" are along the lines of -"are they mad?", I remember having Chicken Pox as a child and I certainly wouldn't want my child to have to go through that if there was an alternative. Both my children have had the regular required vaccinations and my daughter will have the HPV vaccination when she is old enough.

Now with the flu shots I'm not a great believer in those - my husband and I have never had them and this is where I do believe in  "What doesn't kill us makes us stronger?" My children both had the flu shot last year (2010) - mainly because they had their well child check-ups in November and our Pediatrician convinced me it was in my child's best interests to give them the shot. My son was fine - but then he hasn't had the flu before either, my daughter still caught the flu - for the first time. We won't be getting them this year, I will add that both my children are very healthy and are not in one of the at risk groups.