The Great Vaccination Debate
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I have gone off the deep-end listening to podcasts (see below for recs), reading manufacturer’s inserts, and picking the brains of the infectious disease MDs and immunologists that I work with. I will just come out with it: Vaccinating your child can be terrifying and not vaccinating your child is terrifying. There are VERY scary stories, photos, and accounts from both those who have been vaccinated and those who have not. Social media is a hunting ground for anyone who puts their neck out in support of either view. Obviously, what every parent wants for their child is to be happy and HEALTHY. The decision about vaccinating (and on schedule) is a question of risk versus benefit. I would say if you ask someone passionate about either stance, they would encourage you to “educate yourself.”
The decision to vaccinate your baby (and on schedule) starts the day they are born
This is where the rubber hits the road for many moms. Some people mistrust the scientists and entities conducting and publishing data, the vaccine manufacturers and even physicians (thinking they are ‘in the pocket’ of the insurance companies). In science and medicine, we have to make our decisions and recommendations based off of the most current data and consider the risk versus benefit. What constitutes “good data”? A research study that is non-biased, includes a large number of subjects (n), is peer-reviewed, and has practical applications. Each family has to decide for themselves if they are going to follow the recommended vaccination schedule and live with the implications of their decision.
It’s a lot of pressure to have a whole human being entrusted to your care and having power over their medical decisions.
One topic I didn’t hear addressed in some of the podcasts was the idea that kids are getting SO many more vaccines than they were decades ago, and it being too much for their immune systems. This is a concern I have heard mentioned many times from parents, particularly by anti-vaxxers. The CDC is a recommended starting point to review basic vaccine data. For anyone who is looking for additional resources to read, I appreciated the format and exhaustive but easy-to-read information from the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). One bit of data I hadn’t come across before but found really interesting is the following:
“Parents may also take comfort in knowing that children are exposed to fewer immunologic components (like proteins and sugars [polysaccharides]) in vaccines today than in the past” (CHOP).
An antigen is a substance that triggers the immune system to make an antibody, so that if the body encounters that antigen again, the body remembers the antigen and kills it with the pre-made antibody. Scientists have narrowed down exactly what antigens will illicit the best chance of immunity, so it is more specific and less of a burden on the immune system.
Number of immunogenic proteins or sugars (polysaccharides) contained in all childhood vaccines:
In 1960 | Totals: 3,217
In 2019 | Totals: 157
Estimates are that kids can encounter 2000-6000 antigens (or proteins) per day just living life. “The vaccines that children receive in the first two years of life are just a drop in the ocean when compared with the tens of thousands of environmental challenges that babies successfully manage every day” (Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia).
When we think about what is natural, unfortunately the bubonic plague, death in childbirth, and ‘survival of the fittest’ are all-natural. You will have to decide for yourself how many medical interventions (including vaccinations) with which you are comfortable.
The best thing you can do regarding your decision to vaccinate? Make sure you have a good relationship with your pediatrician and feel comfortable going through your concerns with him/her.
MY BEST TIP is to find a pediatrician that you feel comfortable asking questions and discussing your concerns with, who will take some time to LISTEN and make decisions TOGETHER with you. I truly can’t over emphasize how important this is. Pediatricians are people. If their personality isn’t clicking with yours, just book your next appointment with another provider! You can ask your co-workers and friends for a recommendation. One tip from Dr Kim Jones (retired pediatrician who shared her wisdom from decades in practice): If you have heard raves about a particular pediatrician, but there are ‘not currently accepting new patients,’ reach out directly to them! Ask the office staff to leave a message for the physician explaining why you would love to be their patient. Not possible? Go old school and send them a card in the mail! This was the message I sent to my current OBGYN who was not accepting new patients (and it worked!):
If a physician’s practice is “closed,” send them a letter requesting for an exception to join their practice!
“Hello Dr Loanzon! I am friends with Helen Gordon, who has been singing your praises about what a wonderful physician you are. My current OB moved, and I would incredibly grateful it if you would consider adding me to your practice. I am very compliant and am always on time!”
Raising children is riddled with difficult decisions and feeling out of control. Do your best to work with your physician and surround yourself with like-minded friends and family who can help support you in your decisions. Raising up the little people is no easy feat! I don’t have all of the answers when it comes to vaccines, but I do know that all mamas can use more support and kindness.
-Traci Clark RN, BSN, OCN, PHN
I tried to listen to as many podcasts as possible to get a better understanding of both sides of the debate. Here are some of the most-recommended podcasts I collected from both perspectives. I do not agree with all of the content, but (again) wanted to hear what the discussion is on both sides.
Podcasts that cover Vaccines:
Pro-Vaccination:
Episode 1: Science Vs. Vaccines goes over the data and interviews field specialists asking all of the hard questions. My only caveat is they are audibly pro-vaccine and I wish the information was presented a bit more neutrally. Episode 2: The follow up episode is called Science Vs. The Rise of Anti Vaxxers, which continues the conversation.
I would put this more in the “neutral” category, but this podcast goes over the development of vaccines and more of the history of how vaccines (and the vaccine debate) came to be. Episode entitled: ‘Infectious.’
Anti or Post Vaccination:
Janny Organically is a household name for anyone anti or post-vaccine. Here she highlights her main issues with vaccines. The episode is called “A Biblical and Scientific Perspective,” but I didn’t get much Biblical perspective. She provides a summary of many parents’ issues with vaccinations.
Del Bigtree is a public speaker and producer of the movie Vaxxed. He has no medical training, but has been a big voice and leader of the anti-vaccination movement. “The Episode that put Highwire on the Map.” I’ll be honest: this podcast was recommended to me by a few moms, but I had a difficult time with the speaker and his attitude. I did try to listen to some of it to hear out all sides of the debate.
Do you have a podcast or place to find information that was helpful to you while researching vaccines? Please drop it below so other mamas can read. One of my biggest pet peeves is how aggressive discussion gets on this topic, so please use kindness when sharing below:) -TLC