To Vaccinate or Not to Vaccinate

Vaccinating seems to be a pretty hot area of debate for parents and non-parents alike. Everyone has an opinion on what is 'right' and what is 'wrong'. What I don't understand is why people can't just agree to disagree. I don't think there is an overall right or wrong choice but a right and wrong for each individual set of parents.

I was just reading some posts from parents regarding the topic of vaccinating versus not vaccinating and it amazes me how narrow-minded some people can be, even in this current day and age of instant information on the web.

There was one parent who said that any parent who doesn't vaccinate their child is allowing their child to be susceptible to numerous illnesses and risking their lives for a selfish choice.

A number of other parents wrote about how vaccinations have negatively affected at least one of their children compared to at least one other of their children they did not have vaccinated. One parent even wrote how her oldest has Autism but had been developing normally until about 18 months with a decline in health and development after each round of vaccinations.

A couple parents referenced books who are written in favor of one option or another. I'm sure some of the information could be helpful but I also wonder how much is just biased writing in favor of one choice or another. Then again I suppose that is a hazard of reading any book supporting one thing over another.

I think the idea behind vaccinating originally was fabulous but over the years, and with the advancement of medicine, I think it has gotten a little out of control. For instance, newborns are vaccinated for Hep B hours after birth. Why? I'm pretty sure my child wont be at risk of contracting Hep B until she's much older.

I also think that parents who choose not to vaccinate usually have a valid reason and their choice should be respected, not judged. I think the biggest argument I've heard as to why not vaccinating is so wrong is because of the risk of disease or illness an unvaccinated child is to vaccinated children. That would make sense except that vaccinated children are supposed to be immune (for the most part) from the diseases and illnesses that parents are most concerned about. Also, regardless of how many shots a child has had or has not had will not prevent them from getting sick in life. There are bigger health risks in life than an unvaccinated child. I know this because I was not vaccinated as a child and I never contracted nor passed on any deadly disease or illness. I played outside, in the dirt, just as much as any other child and I have lived a healthy life.

The whole point to my rant is that parents shouldn't be judged for their choice. There is a right and wrong only in the minds of the parents making the decision. Its either right for their child or it isn't. There is not a right and wrong for the collective whole. The decision surrounding vaccinations is like religion, its an individual choice, not something that should be forced on any parent.