Print Blog
Email a FriendVery thoughtfully written, Danielle. Although we are on the opposite side of the fence, having had a child who had a frightening negative reaction to a vaccine, we choose to not immunize our family. We are a healthy lot and are very rarely sick, so for us this is the right decision, although I struggle with it EVERY year. I absolutely understand why families with family members who have health problems choose to vaccinate. I also appreciate when folks understand why we don’t.
Fear, Faith, and Flu Shots
Where shall we put our trust?
Posted by Danielle Bean in Health on Monday, October 26, 2009 12:00 PM
Last week, when I updated my facebook status with a simple “Flu shot today, I hope” I was a bit surprised to be deluged with people telling me not to get one.
I shouldn’t have been.
I know how many people feel about vaccines and I know many of the stories that circulate this time of year. You can find someone to tell you pretty much any bad thing about the flu shot—from it actually making you more vulnerable to the flu to it causing Alzheimer’s disease.
What people don’t know, however, is that my personal experience with the flu coupled with the fact that I have a child with cystic fibrosis make it very unlikely that anything other than rock-hard science will convince me not to get the shots.
As a mom who was quite relieved to get my kids their flu shots (both the seasonal and the H1N1) last week, I really appreciated Kate Wicker’s recent thoughtful blog post about common hesitations regarding vaccines.
There’s a lot of good reading there—in the post, in the articles linked, and in the comments. If you are on the fence about flu shots or even vaccines in general, I really recommend browsing through all of it.
I think intelligent people can come to very different decisions when it comes to the flu shot. While I shared a bit about my family’s illness-prevention strategy in a recent Faith & Family podcast where Arwen, Lisa, and I talked about the upcoming flu season, I firmly believe in every family’s right to make their own decisions on these matters.
But whether we decide to get the shots or not, I think these kinds of decisions are a prompting for every one of us to examine our fears in light of our faith. It is our responsibility as parents to take reasonable measures to prevent illness, but it’s also important to remember God’s goodness and to trust in His care.
This is something I struggle with. Sometimes, just the thought of my family contracting the flu can cause me to catch my breath with fear. I fear because I remember past experiences. I fear because I don’t know what the future holds.
I need to remember that our God is a loving God, and He has a plan for each of us. That plan may or not include pain and suffering in the months that lie ahead. Only God knows. Not in some scary, all-knowing, I’m out to get you kind of way. But in an all-knowing, all-loving I want what’s best for you kind of way.
In the end, whether we place our trust in flu shots, Omega 3’s or vitamin D, we should remember that the hairs on our head have been counted.
We must remember to put our trust, first and foremost, in Him.
I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that have no more that they can do.
But I will warn you whom to fear: fear the One who, after He has killed, has authority to cast into hell; yes, I tell you, fear Him!
Are not five sparrows sold for two cents? Yet not one of them is forgotten before God.
Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows.
—Luke 12:4-7
Comments
Page 1 of 1 pages
Posted by Ruth on Tuesday, Oct 27, 2009 9:31 AM (EDT):
I agree with you Maurisa. We are a very healthy family too. We also very rarely get sick. I attribute this to year round healthy (organic when possible) eating.
I was raised without flu shots and actually just began getting them off and on as an adult. I am now nearly 40 years old. My father, 65, has never had a flu shot. And, he works and travels weekly in a professional environment, on airplanes and in hotels. We both survived just fine.
However, when you become a mom, your worry gene kicks in, and I am a bit sad that my daughter has received one every year since her birth. As a huge proponant of a more natural way of life, I always feel bad after it’s done. I don’t think I will continue with this process in the future, and I will tell you why. This year my daughter and I both got the flu shot, but also got the flu for the first time in both our lives (she’s in the 2nd grade). The flu we got was the H1N1. I am nearly over it, and she fought it off in 6 days with little pain and only a temp for 2 days. We both survived, but you would think if you watch the main-media news that we would be dead or hospitalized by now. I wonder if we are hurting our immune system by not allowing our bodies to occassionally fight off the flu naturally.
Anyway, there are simply my opinions and thoughts. Unfortunately, we often have to trust the doctors and medical companies. So, thank the Lord my family like many others has been protected us from ourselves thus far.
I have a daughter with severe congenital heart defects and other medical issues. Like you, Danielle, we choose to vaccinate not only our daughter, but the entire family. When I was on the fence about whether or not to vaccinate my other children against H1N1 or just my daughter with specials needs, a doctor friend of mine explained to me about the entire “herd” needing to be vaccinated to protect my daughter. It’s an easy call to vaccinate my daughter because the risk of her developing severe complications if she comes down with H1N1 is so much higher than the risk of side effects from an “unknown” vaccine (which it a debate in and of itself!). It’s a hard call, though, to judge whether it is worth putting your other children at risk for the side effects of a vaccine to protect one child. How, as a mother, do you “sacrifice” one child (expose them to the side effects when their risk of complications is much less) to protect another? That is absolutely where my faith in God comes in. I have to believe that He is watching over us and will take care of us, no matter what our decision is. So we have decided that the entire family will receive both flu vaccinations this year. And then we leave it up to God.
Posted by Jamie on Monday, Oct 26, 2009 1:02 PM (EDT):
I was told by my children’s doctor a few years ago that because My daughter was special needs(down syndrome) with asthma and my son had asthma we had to get the flu shot for their safety. I listened because Dr’s know everything right? Well, that year was the worst flu season we ever encountered. It was exactly those children the DR said we were protecting that got sick. The only time those particular children had to have breathing treatments beyond their inhaler. I will never do it again.
Posted by Kate Wicker on Monday, Oct 26, 2009 1:19 PM (EDT):
Hi, Jamie. My husband (who is a doctor) has heard this argument time and time again, but the fact is the vaccine is extremely effective (I’ve seen stats like it has 70-80 percent efficacy) when the influenza vaccine is well-matched to the strains in circulation. People often say they got the flu after the shot, and there are explanations for people thinking this. The person did not get the flu that the vaccine was designed to protect; however, it’s possible to get illnesses caused by other germs. There are many different types of respiratory illnesses that mimic flu symptoms. In addition, the flu vaccine takes about two weeks to be effective. Thus, people can unfortunately get the flu during this small time window. That’s why doctors encourage people to get the flu shot early in the flu season (which typically starts in October and peaks in late January/early Feb., according to the CDC). The good news is even if you still contract the flu during this time window, the vaccine can help reduce the severity of symptoms. Finally, some people may experience very mild flu-like symptoms for a day or two after receiving the vaccinations. The body’s immune system triggers these symptoms as it builds up to protect against infection with the real influenza, but it’s nothing like the real thing or the feeling of being crushed by a Mack truck that the flu causes.
I’m honestly not trying to stir up controversy. I just hope to help parents to separate fact from fiction because there are a lot of myths and pseudo-science theories about vaccines that tend to overshadow the fact that these are medical marvels that save countless lives. I do realize that every parent is just trying to do what’s best for her children out of love and care for them.
As I stated in my original vaccine post Danielle links to, virtually no medical intervention comes without any risk. Thus, it’s up to doctors and their patients to determine whether the benefits outweigh the risks. Modern medicine, which I’m not claiming is always an exact science, helps us make this sometimes difficult decision. In the case of vaccines, I personally see the benefits overwhelmingly outweigh the risks.
Finally, I could not agree more with Danielle that ultimately, we cannot inoculate ourselves or our children against every form of struggle, angst, and illness and that is why we must seek God first and trust in Him.
God bless!
Posted by Christine Hebert on Monday, Oct 26, 2009 1:15 PM (EDT):
We have had flu shots only once. I do not believe in flu shots (or some of the other vaccines available, either) as a general rule. When my youngest was 5 months old, however, he contracted Kawasaki Syndrome (aka Kawasaki Disease). He had to be on a regimen of aspirin for several months, and he wouls be susceptible to Reye’s syndrome if he contracted the flu. Kawasaki was scary enough (it causes inflammation of the coronary arteries and can cause aortic aneurysm) without other complications, so everyone in our home except my husband had flu shots.
I can understand vacciantions when you have a child whose immunity or other conditions can put them at higher risk.
Posted by Donna L. on Monday, Oct 26, 2009 1:22 PM (EDT):
Thanks for bringing “faith” into the discussion. I have been overwrought and losing sleep over what I should be doing regarding shots this year.
I tearfully requested God to send a *flaming arrow from Heaven with a scroll tied to it, telling me what to do.* Well, it hasn’t come yet.
I am expecting baby #5 and we have always done flu shots. But for some reason, I cannot bring myself to do them this year. Even if I had felt compelled to do so, there is no vaccine here (northern west coast) so I couldn’t even if I wanted to.
We have already had flu/colds run through the house, TWICE. And every time one of my kids is sick, I get a lump in my throat that won’t go away and I fervently pray I have made the right decision. I know God watches over us all, and I do know about his love and saving grace, I just wish it was enough to give me a sense of peace about this whole flu/swine flu season. It feels like it’s going to be a LONG winter.
I guess I’m just not trusting or holy enough to just leave it in His hands, and feel peaceful. I wish I were.
Posted by Diane on Monday, Oct 26, 2009 5:49 PM (EDT):
Thank you for your honesty. I think we all have some issues with putting it all in the Lord’s hands and remaining peaceful. As for H1N1 vaccines there are none to be found in my neck of the woods either . I did just get a call today from the public school system saying that my two school aged children were eligible for them when they came in (possibly next week) which is wonderful as my youngest has health problems .
Nicely written. You clearly have a compelling reason to consider these vaccinations and I hope that others respectfully defer to your parental discernment in the matter.
As for “rock-hard science” regarding the risks of vaccinations (from the CDC):
-Anyone with allergies to eggs should NOT get vaccinations
-There is an increased risk for contracting Guillain-Barre Syndrome—about 1 in 100,000 will contract recordable symptoms (fever, nerve damage, muscle weakness). The 1976 swine flu vaccine had a very high GBS percentage so hopefully that will be lower this time.
-Severe reactions do occasionally occur in individuals who do not have egg allergies or GBS.
As for the mountains of anecdotal evidence: Count my family among the numbers. We have been on-again-off-again vaccinators between 3 (different children) very scary and lengthy vaccine reactions (the longest lasting 6 weeks). All of my kids have been tested and none have any allergies at all. Good friends of mine had a healthy, happy and chatty 18-month old (with no allergies) who had a gran mal seizure following his shots. He has had non-communicative autism for 10 years since. You’ve heard many more stories, I’m sure.
These may be anecdotal but they are real to us. Hard science doesn’t always have all the answers.
Our vocations require that we weigh all these things (hard science and the evidence we see with our own eyes) and make the best decision we can for our own kids. I’m sure yours is the best for your individual family.
When my first child was being vaccinated, I was severely reprimanded by the nurse for refusing oral polio. I said, “I’ve read the literature you gave me and I see that the oral dose carries a much higher risk of contracting polio” She replied, “That’s true but the oral is best for the larger community”. Or as your doc said, the “herd”. I demanded the intramuscular shot anyway. Two years later (2001), I was in the same place with my daughter. “Why don’t you offer the oral polio dose anymore?” I asked. The nurse replied, “Oh, too many kids were dying of polio.”
Sometimes, we just have to rely on the intuition and grace that God has given us as parents. We often know exactly what we have to do to best protect our little ones. And that varies from family to family. I am concerned about the flu this year but not afraid. Fear is always a poor leader…and stress can also compromise the immune system;).
Posted by Patricia on Monday, Oct 26, 2009 2:56 PM (EDT):
“I firmly believe in every family’s right to make their own decisions on these matters.”
I think this is one of the (if not the) most important points to keep in mind during the “to vaccinate or not” discussion/debate. The government must not usurp the parent’s rights/role in the matter—particularly when it comes to opting not to immunize with vaccinations cultured from aborted fetal cells. Unfortunately, we live in one of the two states in the US (WV & MISS) that still does not have a religious exemption against vaccinations in our state laws. We are working on it…
I pray you & your families all remain healthy & well!
Posted by Nicole on Monday, Oct 26, 2009 6:21 PM (EDT):
I agree totally with you that the government must not usurp the role of parents in this decision to vaccinate or not. To add to that I also feel that the government, drug companies, and the media is usurping parents’ role when they come out with false and misleading information regarding the flu and the vaccines. I completely agree with Danielle that each family must decide what is best for them regarding the vaccines. But it is extremely difficult for families to make the correct decision when they are fed information that is intended to scare them into getting the vaccines. Give people the truth and the facts and let them make an informed decision.
I don’t have any children (yet!) so I am not at that point of deciding whether or not to vaccinate our kids.
I’ve never received a flu shot, basically out of laziness… 
I will probably get one soon (but I live in the middle of nowhere, so am hoping to find a location nearby soon!)
I don’t feel qualified to add my two cents to the debate, all I wanted to do is offer up my prayers for all you parents to make a faith-filled decision, not based on fear or hyped-up science. I am certain that both “sides of the fence” are doing the best for their children. Thank the Lord for that!
Danielle, I love the faith and trust aspect you brought to this subject. Sometime’s it is awfully hard to trust and we need reminders like this article for all areas of our life!
God bless all you mothers and fathers!
Posted by Jennifer on Monday, Oct 26, 2009 3:16 PM (EDT):
With respect to vaccination, I think the internet has done a huge disservice to lay people by allowing access to all sorts of medical information, some worthy, some not so worthy. For a lay person, it is very difficult to discern the truth. Years ago, in order to find information on a certain subject, one would have to some serious research. Even then, you could go down a wrong path. Now, anybody can print anything and any study can be “deemed” important. Everybody’s an expert. It’s completely insane.
Posted by Erika on Monday, Oct 26, 2009 3:25 PM (EDT):
Jennifer, I agree. Even for those of us trained in research fields, it takes time and effort to sort through legitimate vs. non-legitimate information on the internet.
Danielle, thanks for posting this. It was thoughtful and respectful of those with other opinions. I am pregnant with my first child and have gotten both seasonal and today, my H1N1 shot. For me, the most disappointing part was the effort I had to go to in order to get both shots- dealing with lack of supply, etc. I was especially disappointed that the military did not do more for military families like mine- they were the first to run out of the seasonal shot here, and there is no hope of getting H1N1 from them for a few weeks at least.
Posted by Sonetka on Monday, Oct 26, 2009 4:03 PM (EDT):
Jennifer, YES - it drives me nuts to see people talking about “research” when what they often mean is “Google” (which I love, but it’s not the same thing at all). Of course vaccines are not 100% risk free; nothing is. A walk through a graveyard, however, will give you a good idea of their effectiveness - not too many people nowadays burying three, four, or five children who predeceased them. My daughter got the H1N1 shot last week and my son is getting it tomorrow - they’ve never had bad reactions to previous shots and have no allergies, so I feel it would be irresponsible towards others who may have issues NOT to get them.
Posted by Donna L. on Monday, Oct 26, 2009 4:04 PM (EDT):
I use the internet for *some* of my research and I am thrilled to have that option. Before, when my first-born was a baby, there weren’t many places to get good information, so I had to go in to the clinic and talk to a doctor. Even then, the information I got was questionable.
Through reading books, and researching certain worthy websites, I was able to treat many diseases/maladies as well as diagnose my own thyroid condition—-even though my doctor said I was “just a tired mother with a baby.” Well, he was wrong.
I’m sure that it is very difficult to be in the medical profession and have to deal with people who get their information from “National Enquirer”—but I don’t believe that keeping good and credible information or websites away from consumers just so they can avoid the “unworthy” ones is something I’d like to see happen.
Posted by Jennifer on Monday, Oct 26, 2009 5:41 PM (EDT):
Sonetka,
I’m glad you brought up the grave yard example. We recently visited Cooperstown, NY and visited the farmer’s museum. There was a church and a graveyard there dating back to the early 17th century. My children could not believe how many young children were buried there.
As someone who’s family was nearly wiped out in the 1930s Flu Epidemic in New York City, I would hope that people would use some common sense out there.
Posted by Ginny on Monday, Oct 26, 2009 5:54 PM (EDT):
Great point re. the Internet and its downside. I am a firm believer in having information, but because of the Internet, there’s lots of false information masquerading as fact. This is why I put my trust in those who actually have medical degrees. (And in God, too, of course. 
)
There was a Wired article recently talking about how the number of parents choosing not to vaccinate has increased significantly over the last several years, and about how we are now seeing certain diseases appear in the population to an extent that we have NOT seen since vaccinations began. That scares me. It also addressed the herd issue, mentioned above.
I feel for parents who struggle with this hard decision. Whatever you decide for your children, though, you have to admit that your own child is much better off because many other parents did choose to vaccinate. Thank God the iron lung is effectively a thing of the past ... let’s keep it that way.
I appreciate your comment, Melody. My own children have never had a vaccine reaction (although only one has gotten a few vaccines in early infancy) but I know nearly 10 families whose children have had severe reactions. I’m so sorry you’ve had to face that. It may be anecdotal but it is personal and real for many of us. When outsiders say that it was a reaction/condition that would have happened anyway, whether it was really the flu, etc…I feel it questions the integrity of the parents who know their children and know what has happened to them. The truth is that vaccines are not 100% effective or 100% safe. But as you said, we have to weigh the risks for our own family and trust in God’s graces to us as parents to make the right decision for us.
Posted by monica fitz on Monday, Oct 26, 2009 3:40 PM (EDT):
Dear Danielle, I appreciate your faith and we are all trying to put Our Lord first. At this time the quote “Behold, I am sending you like sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and simple as doves. (Matthew 10:16). Are you aware of what goes into these vaccinations? I suggest looking through the website http://www.avmbiotech.com/home.html. How can we inject our children with tissue from aborted embryo and fetuses? How can we inject them with Mercury, carcinogens etc. Please also read the following from Our dear Pope: In December 2008, the Holy See affirmed in Dignitas Personae, that “everyone has the duty to make known their disagreement and to ask that their healthcare system make other types of vaccines available.” So this is not just a case of reasonable “intelligent” people can disagree. I would hope you could spend some time looking through all of this and perhaps even making it available alongside your opinions about vaccines. May God bless you and may you take a second look.
We are all part of the same body of Christ!
In Her Service,
Monica
Posted by Leah Jacobson on Monday, Oct 26, 2009 5:11 PM (EDT):
I was hoping someone would make this point. I am not against the vaccinations, however, I am morally opposed to some of the methods of production and the “ingredients” of this vaccinations. I simply cannot justify supporting the abortion industry and drug companies that take innocent human life to create vaccinations from. Now not all vaccines are created using aborted babies, but some are and we need to be aware of this and demand ethical alternatives to them. Another website I suggest checking out is from the group Children of God for Life. http://www.cogforlife.org/
They have great print-offs of the vaccines that are ok and the ones that are created from aborted babies and any ethical alternatives to them. Every parent should know what is being injected into their children and this site makes that very easy to do.
Posted by Christa on Monday, Oct 26, 2009 8:45 PM (EDT):
Please Monica, do NOT try to present your personal opinion as Church teaching on this matter. Being told to “speak out” against vaccines from unethical sources and ask for alternatives is not at all the same thing as being told to refuse vaccines altogether. In fact, the Church encourages us to get vaccinated for the sake of the health of the entire population: http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/0504240.htm
Here’s an important quote from that article:
“Parents who do not immunize their children against rubella would be responsible for the malformations and subsequent abortions of malformed fetuses that might result from a pregnant women being infected by the unvaccinated child, both the study and Msgr. Suaudeau said.”
Posted by Mommy mommy! on Monday, Oct 26, 2009 4:06 PM (EDT):
Nicely put Danielle. I’m tired of all the junk science.
I planned on getting both vaccines for my family, but then changed my mind at least 100 times -which has been easy to do since none were available anyways 
In the meantime, H1N1 hit our community hard (one high school closed, my DD class missing 60% of students), so now I’m thinking those “little” fluish symptons my kids had 10 days ago, were in fact the flu. phew.
Posted by Mark on Monday, Oct 26, 2009 6:15 PM (EDT):
Well written and lots of interesting responses. IMHO, therre is some risk to having any medical procedure so it isn’t a question that something is completely safe but rather a question of risk vs. benefit. For me just finishing the swine flu, I wish the vaccination had been available because I had a very bad case with my added chronic health ... Read Moreproblems. I always get the seasonal shot and always had my kids completely vaccinated on schedule. I’m am one of the scientists who investigates this stuff and nuderstand both the risks and benefits. For me, I get to scared of what could be if the diseases were not prevented in my family and in our communities. Just my 2 cents.
Posted by missy on Monday, Oct 26, 2009 7:36 PM (EDT):
Thank you for pointing that out Monica. I had to read the article twice because I couldn’t believe the information was missing. I had sent the ingredients of the vaccine to one of my pro-vaccine friends who sent back this CNS article http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/0504240.htm which, in my opinion, completely contradicts the church’s normal stance on utilitarianism. But, I’m just as concerned with the other ingredients, such as the mercury & other carcinogens. Don’t drink coffee when you’re pregnant, but inject your babies with this “medicine”.... I can’t reconcile the 2 positions.
Posted by Christa on Monday, Oct 26, 2009 8:38 PM (EDT):
Missy and others who fear the “toxins” in vaccines, I just wonder—what do you think motivates the CDC and AAP to recommend “toxic” doses of mercury to entire generations of children? Do you really think they are trying to kill off our kids instead of protect them? Or do you just imagine you are a better scientist than these professionals and YOU know what the real risks are while they are ignorant of them? I understand people who reject vaccines because of moral problems with their origins (aborted fetuses). I will stand up for any mom’s right to refuse vaccines, even if I disagree with her, but I just can’t wrap my brain around these kinds of conspiracy theories and don’t understand people who outright reject scientific data based on internet stories and rumor.
Posted by Interesting on Tuesday, Oct 27, 2009 12:32 AM (EDT):
From the article you quoted from CNS
“The French priest said the human cell lines used to cultivate the production of most vaccines used today come from tissue derived from two human fetuses voluntarily aborted in 1964 and 1970.”
I think it’s sad that they say this is the only source of cell lines. I don’t believe it.
Also, I want to know *who* volunteered them….certainly NOT the tiny babies themselves.
Posted by Andrea on Tuesday, Oct 27, 2009 8:06 AM (EDT):
Good on you Christa, for saying what I frequently would like to say. I too am frustrated by those who believe the entire medical profession, and public servants are all involved in some underhand plot to .... (I don’t know what - control the world?)
Posted by Delores on Monday, Oct 26, 2009 8:06 PM (EDT):
Life is just scary. Especially for mothers. I too have struggled with these decisions. I vaccinated my first 5 all on schedule, but opted not to with the 6th and for the most part stay away from vaccines. I second guess myself, but would second guess myself if I did get vaccines. I think vaccines are good overall, but I am just not sure about doing them at such a young age and so many of them. And I have to wonder if there is just not some sort of build up somehow in our systems. And I think that individual genetics will react and play an important part in the reactions to vaccine (i.e. autism). Autism is a western/modern illness, so I just have to wonder what it is. And the questions I ask are: do “third world” countries have this high of a rate or has there been any correlation between vaccines and autism? And could it be seen anyway in a single generation? Ultimately, as many have already stated, it is about trusting God. Personally, I am awful at this. I just worry and wonder and fear and then pray a lot!
Posted by Clare on Monday, Oct 26, 2009 8:52 PM (EDT):
I am still trying to decide about getting the H1N1 and I think I will get it unless I discover an unethical way that it was developed. I got the flu shot as a child until I begged my mother so much not to get it and then I did not get the flu for 6 years after that. Anyway the H1N1 is a different type of flu and it is being compared to the Spanish flu of 1918-1920 and we do not have antibodies for this flu yet. Blessed Jacinta and Francisco Marto, two of the children from Fatima died from this flu. I am afraid many will throw the baby out with the bath water because of such things as Gardasil and vaccines developed as a result of using aborted babies that may be a cause of autism. I think that we should remember to pray to Blessed Jacinta and Francisco if and when we get sick with the flu.
Posted by Marie M on Monday, Oct 26, 2009 11:09 PM (EDT):
Hi Danielle, I’m sure you knew you’d be opening this can of worms when you wrote the post!! Just want to weigh in here with maybe a little comic relief . . . as a mother of 9 kids who’ve all had the flu this past week (swine flu? not sure, but most likely it was). They all survived (even me ) (thanks be to God). The swine flu vaccine wasn’t available here (at least I don’t think it was) in time, so I didn’t even have to think about whether to pay $25 per kid or research the truth about what’s in the vaccine. Not sure it would have been worth it. Except that I’ve probably spent that much in kleenex, tylenol, ibuprofen, chicken soup, tea, movie rentals, and every other remedy and distraction I could think of. Reminds me of last year when they all had the chicken pox together Yeah, we’ll probably be looking for that vaccine next year . . . praying for you and your kids, Danielle!
Danielle, I really appreciate this post this morning. I woke up with flu-like symptoms wishing I had gotten myself the shot. I don’t mind being sick, don’t get me wrong, but it’s so hard to be sick and hurting AND take care of my family. So I’m starting to rethink my “I don’t need the flu shot” mentality. I might not NEED it, but maybe my family does….
Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, Oct 27, 2009 8:42 AM (EDT):
My husband is infertile because he contracted mumps in his teens (before mumps vaccinations were given) My grandfather lost his three brothers to the Spanish flu in 1918. Pregnant women and their babies have died from the H1N1 flu.
I think for the majority, the benefits of vaccination far outway the risks.
Posted by Clare on Tuesday, Oct 27, 2009 1:25 PM (EDT):
Just a comment about vaccines, I had the measles vaccine in grade 8 and came down with the measles in grade 12. Granted it was in 1978 and it may have been before they realized there should be a booster. Also my son had the measles when he was almost 4 after having the MMR a year or two before. I have 5 children that had the MMR shots and he was the only one to get the measles. It was a surprise as he had been in contact with chicken pox which he developed 2 months after the measles. My point is in a couple years from now we may know how well this H1N1 will work. I waited until my breastfed kids were about 5 or 6 months before I took them for their needles. I wanted to fatten them up first.
Posted by Kate Wicker on Tuesday, Oct 27, 2009 2:01 PM (EDT):
Great dialogue guys. Clare, I just wanted to make a point Re: the fact that you and your son came down with the measles. The WIRED article I linked to in my original post explains why vaccinated people may sometimes still get the disease the vaccination is deisgned to protect against. Unfortunately, a small percentage of vaccines may not be effective; however, what is known as the “herd immunity” helps protect those small amount of people as well as those who don’t get the vaccine. Yet, even a small number of people not getting vaccinated weakens herd immunity and puts all of us at risk (the article uses the example of measles). Herd immunity is very important when understanding vaccine protection. It is explained in layman’s terms at Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herd_immunity
I think one of the problems with this debate is science often does not offer comfort, and sometimes it even appears to be counterintuitive. Mothers are intuitive and designed to nurture and sometimes tend to be governed more by feelings than logic (this can be a beautiful gift when it comes to raising children!), so when we hear other parents talk about their feelings against vaccinations or their belief that a vaccination caused this or didn’t result in this, we, by nature, tend to take it as gospel. I’m not suggesting we should not trust our mom intuition, but we do need to be careful to look at causal relationships (rather than potential correlations), solid research from reliable sources, and consider that choosing not to vaccinate is not choosing to avoid any risk (as Dr. Offit points out in the WIRED article). It’s choosing to take another kind of risk. I believe parents have the right to make this decision, and it’s not an easy one, especially due to some of the tainted vaccines out there. Thankfully, the Church has made a statement that we cannot place the burden of not having ethical vaccine choices on children. We need to demand alternatives, but we do not have to choose between the desire to keep our children safe and healthy and our Catholic faith. God calls us to be loving and rational creatures. I think we have to approach this difficult topic with more than an ounce of reasoning.
At any rate, I’m thankful such a candid discussion has resulted from Danielle’s post.
God bless, and let us hope as far as the flu goes (both the old-fashioned and swine one) we can dodge the germ bullet!
Posted by meg on Tuesday, Oct 27, 2009 2:20 PM (EDT):
I’m with you, Clare. They wanted to vaccinate my babies for Hepatitis B, which is mostly sexually/IV drug transmitted, on the day they were born! Can you imagine? This is the kind of thing that drives up suspicion, and it should. There are literally billions of dollars at stake.
I made sure my babies were older and chubby when they got their shots, too.
Posted by Wendy on Tuesday, Oct 27, 2009 10:22 PM (EDT):
Be happy you could get the shots! We managed to find a seasonal flu shot for the baby who just turned 6 mos. but that’s it. They are vaccinating the elementary schoolers for H1N1 at school, but they only have fluMist and my child can’t have it because he’s asthmatic.
So, I’ve got to have faith, because it’s been my only option
Posted by SG on Friday, Oct 30, 2009 4:51 PM (EDT):
I haven’t read all the comments yet. Six years ago my husband (age 27) got a flu shot. Well, the nurse accidentally put it in his vein, so she gave him a second one. Within hours, he couldn’t walk, he was having seizures and over the next few days he lost abilities to talk and write properly. This went on for months and since we didn’t realize it was related to the flu shot, we spent thousands of dollars on doctors who couldn’t pinpoint anything. Eventually, through many prayers, he started to return to normal and has very little residual effects. Thank-you, Lord!
We don’t know if it was the double dose or the shot in the vein or the flu shot in general but we found this video yesterday of a similar situation…. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h8riAeGh48U I know that the vaccines are mostly safe but it sure isn’t fun to be “one in a million”. I would probably still get the flu shot if my kids were compromised with their health only…and I would pray really hard.
Post a Comment
By submitting this form, you give Faith And Family Magazine permission to publish this comment. Comments will be published at our discretion, and may be edited for clarity and length. For best formatting, please limit your response to one paragraph and don't hit "enter" to force line breaks.
