I am deeply sorry to both you and the author for your experiences with illness in your children; I applaud you for voicing your disagreement! As the daughter of a mother with Lupus and MS, I understand the complications and fears that compromised immune systems can cause.
My son is unvaccinated, and as a result, I chose to leave my job to stay home with him because our state does not allow for philosophical exemption, and at this point I am not willing to execute a religious exemption b/c it's not a religious issue for me. I do, however, take my son to multiple playgroups and other activities-- in most cases he is the only unvaccinated child and I know this because many parents voice their opinion on the issue especially with the recent H1N1 topic. My son had a virus last week, and I opted to keep him home from any activities- partly to allow him time to recover and to spare the other children the exposure. Meanwhile, my son contracted this virus from a vaccinated child that was at a playgroup the week prior with a cough and a runny-nose. We returned to the group today and another child was present with the same cough, runny-nose, etc.
As you stated, you can get sick from vaccinated individuals as well as unvaccinated. What I have a harder time understanding is why I would come under scrutiny for my choices with my child, but the parent of the vaccinated child that takes their child out has no responsibility or accountability!
It is also worth mentioning that my son, now 13 mos old, has had two viral infections in his life. He has recovered beautifully from both without medication (and lots of breastmilk)! Not vaccinating is a choice that I believe has allowed his immune system to fight on its own and grow stronger, and is supported by my -believe it or not- licensed and respected pediatrician! I believe that this choice, along with the decisions to eat organic, only use glass (no plastic), use only all-natural organic cleaners/soaps/detergents/etc, cloth/natural material diapers, continue breastfeeding, and many other conscious decisions, are responsible for his health and ability to combat illness. Now I realize that children that have compromised immune systems don't necessarily have the luxury of fighting naturally, but to call me irresponsible or judge my parenting is not only unfair, but uninformed. I looked up the rate of childhood leukemia cases and this is what I found:
<link> Of the estimated 3,500 children (ages 0-14) who will develop leukemia in 2009, about 3 out of 4 will be diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL). Most of the remaining cases will be acute myelogenous leukemia (AML). Chronic leukemias are rare in children.
Now the incidents of REPORTED vaccine effects:<link>
Approximately 30,000 VAERS reports are filed annually, with 10–15% classified as serious (causing disability, hospitalization, life-threatening illness or death).
So that means that 3,000-4500 cases of reported issues are "serious". I cannot control whether or not my son develops childhood leukemia (I did save his cordblood though!), but I can control some of the dangers he will face. I choose not to risk his health, or life, until either the vaccines are proven safe and non-toxic, or I am confronted with a situation where the potential benefits outweigh the potential harm. MY SON is my first priority- I am not responsible for the health of others' children, nor do I judge as harshly for their decisions, as I am judged for mine. To ask me to put my son in harm's way to make finding a daycare easier for someone else is ridiculous. The author is selfish and self-righteous to look down on "the lovely little girl" and her parents.
This boils down to an issue of civil liberties and the right to make choices and do what you feel is best for your own family. If my son has an allergy to peanut butter, does that mean that all schools should stop allowing pb? or for that matter, all manufacturers should not be allowed to produce it? I am highly allergic to cigarette smoke and most perfumes/colognes/fragrances- I have terrible asthma attacks that have resulted in dr and hospital visits-- does that mean that no one should be allowed to wear scents or smoke? or is it my responsibility to know how to respond and avoid high-risk environments. The world is not a bubble and if we had to alter our behavior for the potential risk to others, we'd all have to stay home!
I believe it is also important to point out that Jenny McCarthy is not necessarily AGAINST vaccination, her stand is "GREEN the VACCINE" (take out the harmful and toxic agents in them) and space out the mandated schedule so that children have an opportunity to process them. There are many of us that agree that SOME vaccines have a place, but many are unnecessary and ALL of them of toxic. For more information:
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In view of its widespread use, toxicity, and volatility, exposure to formaldehyde is a significant consideration for human health.[3]
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Concentrated hydrochloric acid (fuming hydrochloric acid) forms acidic mists. Both the mist and the solution have a corrosive effect on human tissue, with the potential to damage respiratory organs, eyes, skin, and intestines. Upon mixing hydrochloric acid with common oxidizing chemicals, such as sodium hypochlorite (bleach, NaClO) or potassium permanganate (KMnO4), the toxic gas chlorine is produced.
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Phenoxyethanol can depress the central nervous system and may cause vomiting and diarrhea.[4] In Japan its use in cosmetic products is restricted.[5]
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KCl is used in medicine, scientific applications, food processing and in judicial execution through lethal injection. It occurs naturally as the mineral sylvite and in combination with sodium chloride as sylvinite.
Karen Lynn
