Why would you NOT vaccinate your baby?

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Why would you not vaccinate your baby? new mummy blog
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Why would you not vaccinate your baby? new mummy blogI’m shocked every time I read about parents not vaccinating their precious babies. It makes no sense to me, I’m a scientist and an analyst, and through those rolls I’ve worked in human health risk assessment including toxicological research.

 

Here are a few reasons I believe childhood vaccinations (the NHS Childhood Immunisations, in the UK)?are in our best interest:

  • Huge amounts of research go into every vaccination and medication before it reaches the stage of trials
  • There are umpteen million hurdles with lots of testing before us humans are allowed to trial new vaccinations or medications
  • Every board is paranoid. They don’t want to approve a drug or vaccination that might be met with criticism! They know us mere mortals love a reason for a scandal and will look for any needle in a haystack
  • Let’s face it we all know the NHS is always strapped for cash, so they definitely don’t want to pay for population style vaccinations if they’re not 100000% sure. Seriously these vaccinations cost stupid-money a year, that’s a lot to be agreed and signed off!

 

Seriously though, I believe the above, but why would you not vaccinate your baby?

  • vaccinations help keep us safe from certain terrible diseases and illnesses – polio, pneumococcal disease, meningitis, measles, mumps, rubella, are definitely not something we want in our population!
  • I don’t want my teeny tiny daughter to suffer any illness, no sniffle, no cough, and definitely not anything I could protect her from!
  • Mummy guilt?is terrible as it is, yes is ones about me. Imagine if I didn’t give my baby the immunisations and she got measles really badly, or any of these other potentially deadly diseases? I feel sick at the thought.
  • children receive vaccinations when they are young to protect them when they are at their most vulnerable, when their immune systems have not yet developed (let’s face if adults couldn’t survive these… ?kiddies can’t either, especially with their less developed immune systems). And, come on, meningitis is the word which brings deep immense uncontrollable fear to every parent, we all try the glass test just to be sure.
  • I trust the NHS. As a scientist I analyse everything, believe me it takes weeks for us to choose a TV unit, and a drawer full of paint testers to choose the colour for one room, but I wholeheartedly trust the NHS to protect my family and spend their money wisely on vaccinations which work and are doing as they say.

 

I acknowledge there are side effects, however, EVERYTHING has side effects! That Calpol you use to bring down baby’s temperature, to ease their suffering… Guess what, that leaflet you threw to the side as you grabbed that syringe, contained a huge list to potential side effects.

To those who ask ‘does the MMR not cause autism’… ‘that’ study by Wakefield was completely flawed, not robust and has been completely superseded by subsequent research, including?multiple studies in multiple countries, none of which substantiated those claims. ?I got rather into researching the MMR side of this ?and so I wrote a blog post just on it here: “The MMR Vaccine and Autism – 12 children is not enough”.

I’ve seen arguements that some parents don’t want to subject their babies to chemicals and ‘outside toxins’… Well I don’t really know where to start with that. Oh yes, so you exclusively breastfeed, don’t drink alcohol or take anything when you’re ill, and baby baths in just water. That’s fine. Now, you can’t possibly use nappy rash cream?or barrier cream either, can you? I assume you wash baby’s clothes after they’ve been worn? But do you wash baby’s clothes and blankets before they’re first used? … Oh and do you live near a road? Each of these subject baby to outside influences! Would you just argue black is white and white is black, and the earth is square? Child health is not a bandwagon, it’s much more serious!
Even just using basic common sense tells me that vaccines help our population, vaccines limit the effects of a disease if we do get it, and for goodness sake a robust study must contain more than 12 children, must have a control group and must not include untraceable (faked?) data!

I respect that everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but surely the experts know best? Surely all the research and boards these vaccinations pass tells you something? Surely the fact the government pays for EVERY child to have these tells you something? ?Surely the fact the General Medical Council, the British Medical Journal, the World Health Organisation, and many many many others have discredited Wakefields research and shown through robust studies that these are safe vaccines and in our best interests, tells you something?

Lynne x

Please note this is my opinion and I have provided the references I talk about at the bottom of this post. And, please have a read of my follow up post about MMR and Autism (The MMR Vacccine and Autism: 12 children is not enough)

References:

Autism Speaks website news:?No MMR-Autism Link in Large Study of Vaccinated vs. Unvaccinated Kids: https://www.autismspeaks.org/science/science-news/no-mmr-autism-link-large-study-vaccinated-vs-unvaccinated-kids

JAMA, 2015, The Journal of the American Medical Association, Autism Occurrence by MMR Vaccine Status Among US Children With Older Siblings With and Without Autism: http://jama.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=2275444

GMC, 2010, General Medical Council,?FITNESS TO PRACTISE PANEL HEARING
28 JANUARY 2010:?http://www.nhs.uk/news/2010/01January/Documents/FACTS%20WWSM%20280110%20final%20complete%20corrected.pdf

NHS News, 2010, Ruling on Doctor in MMR Scare😕http://www.nhs.uk/news/2010/01January/Documents/FACTS%20WWSM%20280110%20final%20complete%20corrected.pdf

WHO, 2003, World Health Organisation, MMR and Autism😕http://www.who.int/vaccine_safety/committee/topics/mmr/mmr_autism/en/

Wakefield, 1998, The Lancet,?Ileal-lymphoid-nodular hyperplasia, non-specific colitis, and pervasive developmental disorder in children😕http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(97)11096-0/abstract

 

 

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35 Comments

  • Reply
    The MMR Vaccine and Autism - 12 children is not enough - New Mummy Blog
    January 20, 2016 at 1:32 pm

    […] wrote a post on why I thought we should vaccinate our children here. In writing it, I started researching the MMR vaccine and autism. I knew I didn’t believe […]

  • Reply
    Random Musings
    January 20, 2016 at 2:34 pm

    Totally agree! Yes, there might be side effects, but the risks are minimal. There is a much higher risk of a baby catching one of the diseases if you don’t vaccinate than there is of a baby suffering side effects.
    I understand that people don’t want to put chemicals in their bodies, and that’s their choice, but not to vaccinate a baby on principal is wrong in my opinion. You can have principals when its your own health you are putting at risk! #bestandworst
    Debbie
    Random Musings recently posted…Staying Motivated: How to stay on track to achieve your goalsMy Profile

  • Reply
    Little Pickle's Mom
    January 20, 2016 at 4:54 pm

    So wholeheartedly agree with this post! Like you said, everyone is entitled to their own opinion and we’ll each make the decision we think is personally best for our child… but surely any risks of a vaccine outweigh the risks of contracting the illness. That said, I was MMR vaccinated when I was younger but still ended up contracting Rubella (although, it was only mild so thank goodness!). #bestandworst

    • Reply
      newmummy
      January 20, 2016 at 5:29 pm

      Thank you! Yes I think that’s what people don’t realise, you can still get the diseases, just you have more immunity so you shouldn’t get them very severely. Imagine if you hadn’t had the jags, how much worse you’d have been!

  • Reply
    Sarah Howe (@RunJumpScrap)
    January 20, 2016 at 5:14 pm

    OMG yes yes yes! When I hear about loonies who don’t because they want to let them get naturally immune to something (I don’t apologise for this statement!) I want to scream. It is so dangerous and your points are so valid! There are somethings you must do and vaccinations are so important. Thanks for sharing with #bestandworst xx
    Sarah Howe (@RunJumpScrap) recently posted…Best and Worst Week #34My Profile

    • Reply
      newmummy
      January 20, 2016 at 5:27 pm

      Thanks sarah, and I completely agree with your comment!

  • Reply
    Katie/Squirmy Popple
    January 21, 2016 at 11:35 am

    Well said! I’ve heard some parents complain about their babies having bad reactions to vaccines, and I can’t help but think, “Okay, but you know what’s worse? Meningitis. Or polio. Or mumps.” #coolmumclub
    Katie/Squirmy Popple recently posted…Let’s be honest – kids can be the worstMy Profile

  • Reply
    mummuddlingthrough
    January 21, 2016 at 7:32 pm

    Hi Lynne, a fellow scientist! I do agree…I work in the healthcare industry and am quite confident in the stringent regulations enforced on the industry. In fact, I didn’t even hesitate to question it. If it was recommended by my healthcare professionals, that’s good enough for me. The alternative consequences are unimaginable, and I am happy to live in a day and age where the research and scientific achievements of others allows me to protect my kids. Great post, thanks for sharing it with #coolmumclub
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  • Reply
    Kate - ItsABug'sLife
    January 21, 2016 at 7:44 pm

    My two year old nephew is currently undergoing chemotherapy and so CAN’T be vaccinated as his immune system is too weak. Therefore, he relies on everyone else to vaccinate their children to ensure his own safety. It makes me so angry to hear out of date anecdotes about autism and any other reason for not vaccinating unless it’s medically advised. As you said – why on earth would you not?! Great post.

  • Reply
    Natalie @KidGearUK
    January 21, 2016 at 8:47 pm

    Totally agree.

    I really don’t understand the anti-chemical people. Um…EVERYTHING is chemicals!! They’ll want to ban dihydrogen monoxide next.

    #coolmumclub

  • Reply
    Someone's Mum
    January 21, 2016 at 9:58 pm

    Completely agree – as a mum who vaccinates and has a child with asd, and as I said on your other post which is so informative too. #coolmumclub

  • Reply
    The Speed Bump
    January 21, 2016 at 11:13 pm

    I totally agree with you! Some kids are immune-compromised and can’t be vaccinated for that reason – therefore we have even more of a duty to vaccinate our own kids, to protect those who can’t! #coolmumclub
    The Speed Bump recently posted…Young Parents AREN’T EntertainmentMy Profile

  • Reply
    Louise
    January 21, 2016 at 11:33 pm

    I totally agree with everything that has been said already – as parents surely our jobs are to protect our children so why do people think that by not vaccinating they are doing a good thing – all they are doing is helping to spread illnesses that can be prevented. As I said on Twitter my Grandad had polio as a child and couldn’t walk properly this meant that he couldn’t work very much and couldn’t drive, play with his children or his grandchildren as much as he wanted he had a good life but a poor quality life in some ways, I’m sure if the vaccine was available when he was younger his mum would’ve vaccinated him and his siblings. All 3 of my children have been vaccinated and if I had anymore children then they would be too. xx
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  • Reply
    Rebecca U
    January 22, 2016 at 8:56 am

    I much prefer the schedule we have in the UK. In the US they vaccinate against things like chicken pox and I personally think that is unnecessary. I didn’t get the flu jab in pregnancy and I got the flu. Both my midwife and GP said I’d be fine though and it can’t harm the baby (it didn’t). So I just think the conflicting information we get doesn’t help anything?! #thelist
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  • Reply
    Kate
    January 22, 2016 at 11:00 am

    Great post – honestly, when people still try and bring up the VERY discredited autism-MMR link claims, it makes my brain explode. Side effects are poop but not as poop as a life threatening illness. I’m so glad the NHS does these are a routine and I WILL side eye parents that decide not to.

  • Reply
    Ellie @ Hand Me Down Baby
    January 22, 2016 at 11:34 am

    I couldn’t agree more! I want to protect my babies from anything that I possibly can. And after Little Miss A getting chicken pox, I’ll definitely be getting Master J vaccinated for that too!
    #FabFridayPost
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  • Reply
    Carrie Bowers
    January 22, 2016 at 12:46 pm

    Great post! Vaccines work! I don’t know why people don’t vaccinate their children.

  • Reply
    Kerry-Ann
    January 22, 2016 at 2:26 pm

    I have to throw a spanner in the works here and say the jury is out on this one for me. I loved your post and your explanations but would have serious concerns about the fact that the study by Wakefield, despite all the research, etc, was enough to send the medical fraternity into a bit of a tizz. I’m not advocating against vaccinations, my children have had all their immunisations to date, but I do have reservations about vaccinations like the flu jab offered to our children every year. I decline the children’s yearly flu vaccinations and will continue to do so as that is a choice I’ve made as I too am uncomfortable with the amount of conflicting information fed to the public together with the scare tactics used. #FabFridayPost

  • Reply
    All about a Mummy
    January 22, 2016 at 2:31 pm

    Completely agree. It baffles me why some people are so short sighted.
    All about a Mummy recently posted…Roasted Garlic, Apple and Butternut Squash SoupMy Profile

  • Reply
    Gary Mathews
    January 22, 2016 at 3:02 pm

    I will for the life of me never understand why parents don’t get there kids vaccinated. I think Anti-Vaxxers should go live in there own little island of misplaced thoughts and stupid beliefs!

  • Reply
    Bumbis Mom
    January 22, 2016 at 3:26 pm

    Well said. Thanks for linking up to the #FabFridayPost
    Bumbis Mom recently posted…Part 2: What Are We Blogging For?My Profile

  • Reply
    Rachel (@self_led_learn)
    January 22, 2016 at 7:48 pm

    Very well said. Know far too many people who don’t want to immunize. Scary. #FabFridayPost
    Rachel (@self_led_learn) recently posted…Fabulous FridaysMy Profile

  • Reply
    Su {Ethan & Evelyn}
    January 23, 2016 at 11:30 pm

    All my kids are up to date with their jabs. I only wish I knew about the jab for chickenpox before they both had it roughly at the same time. Now, they have scares here and there – Evelyn has it worse down there. Poor thing. And I feel such a failure mum for not knowing. 🙁 Thanks for sharing your post with #FabFridayPost
    Su {Ethan & Evelyn} recently posted…My Sunday Photo: Salty StationMy Profile

  • Reply
    Laura @ Dot Makes 4
    January 24, 2016 at 12:16 pm

    I completely agree! There are always side effects, but they definitely out way the risks of not vaccinating.

    Laura xx
    #KCACOLS
    Laura @ Dot Makes 4 recently posted…A Better Night’s SleepMy Profile

  • Reply
    Laura's Lovely Blog
    January 24, 2016 at 2:51 pm

    YES! This drives me insane too! Why would you know want to vaccinate your children against serious illnesses? It’s bad enough when they have hand, foot and mouth! That doctor who wrote the ridiculous MMR paper has a lot to answer to #kcacols
    Laura’s Lovely Blog recently posted…Ten Small Things To Help With Weight LossMy Profile

  • Reply
    Clare
    January 24, 2016 at 9:02 pm

    Another great, informative post lovely! I really don’t understand people that refuse vaccines. It is something I will never understand. I appreciate we all have choices and we do what is best for our children, but I don’t feel they’re our choices to make. The NHS may have its flaws but it is there for a reason and I whole heartedly trust it. If I am told these vaccinations will help protect my children, I will do it. And I expect the vaccine to do just that. These vaccines would never be in place without extensive research and testing! #bloggerclubuk xx

  • Reply
    Backs n Bumps
    January 24, 2016 at 9:36 pm

    This is a great post. I agree with you about the importance of childhood vaccinations, I would hate for my kids to get ill because I didn’t get them vaccinated. I’ve even paid for the chicken pox vaccine as why would I want them to suffer when they don’t have too. #justanotherlinky
    Backs n Bumps recently posted…Officially RegisteredMy Profile

  • Reply
    Emma T
    January 24, 2016 at 10:41 pm

    I totally agree…and you’ve not even touched on the fact that vaccinations have driven out pandemics in the past so we have a lot less than previous diseases, as well as the need to have enough of the population covered. So those people whose children aren’t vaccinated are basically covered in that few don’t get vaccinated. #thelist

  • Reply
    Laura
    January 25, 2016 at 8:26 am

    I am nodding so furiously over here my head may come off! Yes! I couldn’t agree with you more. I feel so passionately about vaccinations and I find this current trend from misinformed parents very worrying. I’m all for letting families make their own choices for their children on damn near everything, but not this. I’m sorry but choosing not to vaccinate affects all of society and that’s just not okay IMO.
    Laura recently posted…“You have cancer”​ – Guest Post By Elizabeth GrossMy Profile

  • Reply
    Life as Mum
    January 25, 2016 at 5:06 pm

    Totally agree with you.
    I actually had someone about 3-4 months ago have a go at me because I had vaccinated my girls. The amount of cr*p I had off her was unreal. She was making out as if I had like abused my kids! she has never vaccinated her kids.
    Thank you so much for linking up to #justanotherlinky
    Life as Mum recently posted…Gro-Clock ReviewMy Profile

  • Reply
    Mudpie Fridays
    January 25, 2016 at 10:15 pm

    Another great post, we are considering getting Monkey vaccinated against Meningitis although I need to do some more research. But in all honestly whether is this or something else why would you risk it? Thank you for joining us at #BloggerClubUK hope to see you again next week x
    Mudpie Fridays recently posted…Our Visit to Bird WorldMy Profile

  • Reply
    Something Crunchy Mummy
    January 28, 2016 at 9:38 pm

    I totally agree! Why when something is offered to help and protect our children would we refuse. Thanks got linking up to #justanotherlinky xx
    Something Crunchy Mummy recently posted…My Running JourneyMy Profile

  • Reply
    Amy @ Mr and Mrs T Plus Three
    January 28, 2016 at 10:14 pm

    Yes I am in agreement too, I am pro vax and have done my research. This can be a bit of a contentious one nonetheless and I do hope all parents make the choice based on what I hope is an informed decision and not from listening to propaganda from anti-vaxers. Great post thanks for linking it up to #thelist x
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  • Reply
    A Moment with Franca
    January 30, 2016 at 10:23 am

    I completely agree with you!! I don’t understand how people can even hesitate about that! It is so important to vaccinate your children. I didn’t know that you are a scientist and an analyst! Wow very impressive!! I love this post Lynne. Thanks lovely for sharing this at #KCACOLS. I would love to see you again on Sunday! 🙂 x
    PS: PS: Oh Lynne I could not find my badge. I would love you forever if you could please add it to your post. Thanks lovely.
    A Moment with Franca recently posted…Review of Muggle Tours for Harry Potter Fans & GiveawayMy Profile

  • Reply
    February Bucket List - New Mummy Blog
    February 3, 2016 at 8:30 pm

    […] was thrilled at the amazing response to my ‘Why would you not vaccinate your baby?‘ and ‘The MMR and Autism – 12 children is not enough‘ posts! Your comments […]

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