Vaccines

• Where to Begin
• My Advice For Parents
• Vaccine Science is Evolving
• Vaccine Resources

Where to Begin

Vaccines have become a hot topic among parents over the past several years.  I was fully vaccinated as a child and lived my life oblivious to the whole “vaccine debate” up until halfway through medical school while researching vaccines. I completely understand the magnitude of importance on BOTH sides of the fence.

Many of you may be here looking for answers whether to vaccinate your child, maybe wondering why there is a vaccine debate, or maybe you’ve made your decision already but interested in understanding the other side.  Vaccine information can be overwhelming.   If you are new to this, learning about each disease and the vaccine made to prevent it can be a great place to start.  I have compiled information that I found to be very helpful while doing my own vaccine research!

*Please remember that the information contained in these pages is only a starting place. Check under the “Vaccine Resources” at the bottom of this page for books and other websites that may be helpful (especially FDA and CDC). It is imperative that your doctor answer any questions that you may have before making any vaccine decision.

Note: I am not a pro-vax, nor am I an anti-vax, mama.  I am just a mama who wants what is best for my child.  And, I am a doctor who advocates for parents making informed and educated decisions.
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My Advice For Parents

• Read, research, read some more…
• Know the background of the disease.
• Learn how the disease is transmitted.
• Know the potential side effects of both the disease and the vaccine, and the weight each side carries.
• Know questions to ask yourself and your doctor on the day of vaccination (ask 8 for yourself + 1 for your doctor):
  1. Am I or my child sick right now?
  2. Have I or my child had a bad reaction to a vaccination before?
  3. Do I or my child have a personal or family history of vaccine reactions, neurological disorders, severe allergies, or immune system problems?
  4. Do I know the disease and vaccine risks for myself or my child?
  5. Do I have full information about the vaccine’s side effects?
  6. Do I know how to identify and report a vaccine reaction?
  7. Do I know I need to keep a written record, including the vaccine manufacturer’s name and lot number, for all vaccinations?
  8. Do I know I have the right to make an informed choice?
  9. ASK DOCTOR: WHICH VACCINES (get trade name and manufacturer) DO YOU PLAN ON USING?

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Vaccine Science is Evolving

The CDC states:

“To ensure the safety of vaccines, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and other Federal agencies routinely monitor and conduct research to examine any new evidence that would suggest possible problems with the safety of vaccines. To keep abreast of the latest information, continue to reference these materials.”  –CDC

What I take from this:  I will continue to question the safety and efficacy of vaccines (as does the CDC, FDA, and NIH), and I will weigh the options regarding each disease and adverse outcome v. each vaccine and adverse outcome.

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Vaccine Resources

I have read every one of the books that I have listed below.  I have found each book helpful for different reasons.  For more information, you may find Vaccine Info A-Z useful!

Books:

1. The Vaccine Book: Making the Right Decision for Your Child (Sears Parenting Library)
2. What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About(TM) Children’s Vaccinations
3. Vaccine Epidemic: How Corporate Greed, Biased Science, and Coercive Government Threaten Our Human Rights, Our Health, and Our Children
4. Vaccinations: A Thoughtful Parent’s Guide: How to Make Safe, Sensible Decisions about the Risks, Benefits, and Alternatives
5. Make an Informed Vaccine Decision for the Health of Your Child: A Parent’s Guide to Childhood Shots (love this book)
6. Epidemiology and Prevention of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases, 12th Edition (The Pink Book)
7. Vaccine Book List (with approximately 100 resource books)

Websites:

1. www.askdrsears.com
2. World Health Organization (WHO)
3. Center for Disease Control (CDC)
4. www.drtenpenny.com
5. www.vactruth.com
6. Vaccination Information Network
7. www.vaccinateyourbaby.org
8. www.imunizationinfo.org
9. American Academy of Pediatrics- Immunization
10. Emory Vaccine Center
11. Immunization Action Coalition
12. The History of Vaccines
13. over-vaccination.net

From a wonderful group at www.vactruth.com  (please check out their site)

1. Vaccine Safety Tips and Tricks- Neil Z. Miller
2. Vaccine Ingredient Summary
3. Vaccine Schedule From CDC- 2013
4. Vaccination Exposed
5. Vaccine Book List (with approximately 100 resource books)

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Reviewed/Updated: 09/14
Content Created: 05/14