Pneumonia is the biggest most solvable global health problem affecting children. And every 20 seconds a child in the world dies from pneumonia, according to Dr. Orin Levine of the International Vaccine Access Center of Johns Hopkins University.
Dr. Levine also says that the most cost effective way to prevent death by pneumonia for the world’s children is by vaccination programs such as the ones that the administers in developing countries.
So, in honor of World Pneumonia Day today, the World Moms Blog writers are discussing their personal experiences with vaccinations in today’s Saturday Sidebar.
How do you feel about vaccinating your children?
Twin Mom in Pennsylvania, USA says:
“At 8 weeks old, my daughter spent 10 days in the hospital because of Rotavirus (Rotavirus along with pneumonia is a leading cause of death of children under 5 years old in the world according to the GAVI Alliance)…I am also curious if any efforts are spent educating parents that truly feel vaccinations cause more harm than good – I was approached by a mom when my kids were very little … She was attempting to convince me not to vaccinate my girls…. Didn’t go over well!”
Kirsten Kolb in Switzerland explains:
“My blood pressure rises each time the topic of vaccinations comes up, and I have to make decisions for my kids. In my pre-mom job I worked with many children battling the daily challenges of Autism. I know that the research is able to dispel so many of the accusations and links between vaccinations and Autism but I still get that knot in my stomach. Here in Switzerland they seem to be far more conservative in the vaccinations they give.
Our pediatrician here was shocked that I wanted the chicken pox vaccine and some Swiss friends laughed when I referred to the Swine Flu vaccine experiences we had a couple of years ago in the US. Switzerland produces many of the worlds vaccines but from what I am hearing on the street they aren’t jumping as quickly to use them! At the end of they day we all want healthy happy kids!! I just wish the whole vaccine world was more crystal clear!”
Angela Y. in California, USA tells us:
“Whooping cough is on the rise here in Northern California, especially in Marin County (just north of San Francisco). What is interesting is that Marin County is one of the most affluent counties in the USA AND has one of the highest number of children that are NOT vaccinated. Hence the rise of whooping-cough.
I just find it interesting that people with the MOST money and MOST education, opt to make this decision that in the end doesn’t affect just their children but the children around them.
I have friends who have opted for no vaccines. Friends who have opted for select vaccines. I found the information on the internet dizzying. After consulting one of my best friends who is a child psychologist who specializes in autism, we opted to follow the vaccination schedule as prescribed.”
Eva Fannon in Seattle, WA, USA says:
“I’d be interested in more info on whooping-cough (pertussis vaccine). There’s a 14% increase in cases here in WA State. A recent news report indicated that the vaccine may wear off in teens and adults…who may have mild symptoms, but when passed on to infants and children, could be life threatening. I just emailed my doctor to find out about whether there are any recommendations around re-vaccination for pertussis in late teens and adults. So I’d be curious to learn more about that.”
Mama B. in Saudi Arabia says:
“The hospital where my children get vaccinated follows the American vaccination schedule. I have always hated vaccinations mostly because it’s such a barbaric way to administer medication! I hated putting my children through that. Having said that I always followed the schedule they gave us at the birth of each of my children. I do not, however, give them the flu vaccine. Some doctors are fine with that. one called me stupid and told me that if my children ever really had the flu I would change my mind. I just feel like it is not a total necessity. I am open to arguments of the other side on this as I want to understand.
As for how it is in Saudi, I assume all other mothers followed the routine vaccinations (as you can’t get your children into school without them). But at my children’s school they were giving the MMR vaccine (which is standard) because many parents were skipping it! I was surprised. My youngest sister had a seizer after her MMR vaccine when she was an infant so did not continue them. She was told that before she has kids she must have it again. Do you give your kids the flu vaccine? Do you take it? I took it once before I went to Hajj.”
Kyla in Massachusetts, USA:
“We get the flu shot every year (in fact, my kids, 5 & 2, just got theirs yesterday). It’s far less trouble than getting the flu and I let them have a lolli afterward so they barely have time to focus on the momentary discomfort.”
Kirsten Doyle of Canada states:
“Vaccinations are a touchy subject for me – or rather, the ability to make vaccination choices on behalf of our children is. There are people who have judged me because I chose to vaccinate both of my kids in spite of my older son’s autism – this happened right when the autism/vaccine theory was rampant. I did a lot of research on the subject when my kids were younger. I read studies on both sides of the debate. I ended up with the view that this theory doesn’t hold water.
Now that it has been debunked by most of the medical community, there are still people who swear by it. Which is fine. I respect other people’s right not to vaccinate as much as I expect them to respect my right to vaccinate. I could talk facts and statistics at you, but once I really get going on this, I can keep it up all day! I know that vaccines had nothing to do with my son’s autism – I have known from day 1 that there was something up with him, before vaccines ever entered the picture. Vaccines have not done either of my kids any harm, apart from royally pissing them off.
Regarding the flu vaccine, I don’t usually get it either for myself or for my kids. I believe that good habits, like frequent hand-washing, is enough. I also think our immune systems are strong enough to put up a decent fight against the flu. Having said that, I made an exception for H1N1, because we live with my mother-in-law, who was in a high-risk group for that. We didn’t want to take any chances.”
Jennifer Burden of New Jersey, USA says:
As a new mom over 4 years ago, I admit, I was worried about the media around the MMR vaccination. I tried to split up the vaccine into 3 separate doses for my oldest daughter, only they ran out of the mumps vaccination globally at the time! (In the US the MMR vaccine is usually given at 15 months old.) So, I spoke in more detail about it with her pediatrician and designated time to do some research on the topic around the hype. I couldn’t find conclusive evidence of a link to autism, and she wound up getting the MMR vaccination.
Interestingly enough, here we are years later, and I’ve chosen to give my younger daughter the MMR vaccination ahead of schedule at 8 months old. Why? We have a future trip to Europe coming up, and her pediatrician recommended it because there have been measles outbreaks in Europe. Why? Because parents are choosing not to vaccinate, and they have put their children at risk for these diseases, which have created susceptibility to new outbreaks.”
You can also help vaccination programs like the GAVI Alliance and also the UN Foundation’s Shot@Life by signing up for the UN Foundation and ABC News’ Million Moms Challenge. Johnson & Johnson will donate $100,000 to the cause of maternal and child health for the first 100,000 people sign up for the Million Moms Challenge. Click here to join: Million Moms Challenge.
What are your thoughts on vaccinations as a mother?
Photo credit to the Global Coalition Against Pneumonia.
My two year old has taken every vaccine offered – I know there are a lot of discussions about the pros and cons, but there is no way I would let him go without.
I am a family physician in Florida, USA, and I just wanted to address some of the questions asked above. In response to Eva Fannon’s question about re-vaccination for pertussis for teens and adults: The early childhood vaccine given for diphtheria/tetanus/pertussis is called DTaP. There is another vaccine called Tdap that also contains diphtheria/tetanus/pertussis in a different formulation, and it is designed as a booster for adolescents and adults. It is recommended at age 11-12 years or later as a one time replacement for the regular Td booster which is recommended every 10 years in adulthood.
In response to Mama B’s comments/questions about the flu vaccine: Like many diseases that vaccines protect against, the flu in mild forms is just miserable to go through, a nuisance to miss school and work, etc. Fortunately, most people who contract the flu develop this mild version that just makes them feel like they are dying but doesn’t actually cause any permanent harm. However, there are many many cases of flu (and chicken pox and other infections) that progress beyond the mild presentation and develop complications and result in serious infection, hospitalizations, and death. The most likely age groups to develop these complications are children and the elderly. I am very sorry to say that in my training in the Unites States, I have personally witnessed previously healthy children die of flu and chicken pox. I support the right of every parent to make their own decisions about their own children (with the awareness that that decision does have an impact on my own children as well). I have 2 young sons, and I have chosen to vaccinate them and myself against flu and other infectious diseases.
Jennifer,
Thank you so much for the information!
Jen 🙂
Don’t know if you’re still accepting comments about this topic, but I thought I’d add my two yen for anyone who might be interested…
The vaccine schedule in Japan is apparently really far behind the times. We still have the live oral polio vaccine, BCG, and DTP instead of DTaP, while many of the vaccines available in the US haven’t made it here yet.
Some vaccines are free or subsidized, others are paid for out of pocket and cost more than $100.
Old ways of thinking persist. Many parents vaccinate only daughters against rubella, only boys against mumps because they mistakenly believe these diseases are only dangerous for those groups.
There are no ramifications for parents who don’t vaccinate; children are not required to have shots before attending school. (However, the “anti-vaccine” movement never caught on here.) This “honor system” of sorts results in, unfortunately, spotty coverage. In the past few years in my neighborhood alone there have been breakouts of measles, mumps, and whopping cough as well as the things you would expect like flu, chicken pox, and mycoplasma, which is making the rounds as we speak.
My daughter had an allergic reaction to the DTP and wasn’t able to be fully vaccinated. She had a horrible cough when she was around 18 months old, and since she had been exposed to whooping cough we had to have her tested. They draw blood and have to actually grow the bacteria in a Petrie dish to verify what it is. It turned out to be mycoplasma, but the experience certainly changed the way I think about vaccines. The very weakest among our children’s friend’s and classmates are not able to tolerate the vaccines. It is something we do not only to protect our own children, but also for the weaker among us.
Great conversation!! We have chosen to do a delayed schedule with vaccinations and I don’t do more than 2 at a time. That is what works for us and what I am most comfortable doing.
I am grateful that we have the vaccines available and that we have the option to make this choice.
Wow – and apparently now some pediatricians in the U.S. are letting their patients go as patients if they don’t keep up with vaccinations! http://yourlife.usatoday.com/health/story/2011-11-14/Refuse-vaccines-and-risk-dismissal-by-doctor/51204016/1
I do promote following the immunization schedule, but I have several parents of patients who have chosen not to, and I have not discharged any of them. I have them sign a refusal form (per the recommendation of my practice’s attorneys).The following is a quote from an American Academy of Pediatrics policy on the topic, originally published in May 2005 with a statement of reaffirmation in May 2009:
“In general, pediatricians should avoid discharging patients from their practices solely because a parent refuses to immunize his or her child. However, when a substantial level of distrust develops, significant differences in the philosophy of care emerge, or poor quality of communication persists, the pediatrician may encourage the family to find another physician or practice. Although pediatricians have the option of terminating the physician-patient relationship, they cannot do so without giving sufficient advance notice to the patient or custodial parent or legal guardian to permit another health care professional to be secured. Such decisions should be unusual and generally made only after attempts have been made to work with the family. Families with doubts about immunization should still have access to good medical care, and maintaining the relationship in the face of disagreement conveys respect and at the same time allows the child access to medical care. Furthermore, a continuing relationship allows additional opportunity to discuss the issue of immunization over time.”
PEDIATRICS Vol. 115 No. 5 May 2005, pp. 1428-1431 (doi:10.1542/peds.2005-0316)
(and reaffirmed in Pediatrics 2009 123: 1421-1422.)
I consider it a social responsibility to vaccinate my child. Whatever risks may or may not come from vaccination, if I refused to vaccinate my child I would be putting not only him at risk of catching a disease, but also of him passing it on to another child. Trusting everyone else to vaccinate THEIR child so that my own will be safe seems socially irresponsible.