Calling The Shots

We were in Target the other day and someone else with a new Kindergartener stopped to talk and said in a hushed voice "Did you take him for his shots yet?" I just responded back, matter-of-factly, "Oh, we don't do shots."

She was quite surprised and didn't even know we had a choice. Parents, if you are in the U.S.A. (with some exceptions in West Virginia & Missouri), you have a choice. You have a choice in how many vaccines, if any, that your child receives.

I haven't seen much support among the conservative community about not vaccinating. Maybe conservative parents don't want to buck "authority" or maybe it's lumped in with being too controversial- I am not sure- but, I was very pleased to see the Christian Broadcasting Network bringing this sensitive issue to the forefront, in a news piece asking Are Vaccinations Safe For Your Kids?

We see a regular pediatrician and have never had an issue with not vaccinating at their practice. I think you might be surprised if you just talk honestly and openly with your doctor about your concerns regarding vaccinations. You should be able to talk honestly and openly to your doctor about everything anyway. Be informed and responsible, whatever you decide.

My boys go to public school and we just hand over our signed exemption letter that we write ourselves. I don't care for the way the school's exemption form is worded. I am following the law, and contrary to popular belief, there are no questions asked, no debate, no hassle.

What if my boys naturally get one of the "vaccinated for" diseases? Then we'll naturally deal with it, and be just fine. We've done our research. All those "vaccinated for" diseases are way more treatable and less life threatening than what could be caused from the vaccines themselves. And not one of those vaccinations is 100% effective and guaranteed to do it's "job" (this is fact)- a vaccinated child can still get one of the "vaccinated for" diseases anyway. 

I am so thankful there is a choice. Someone can choose to vaccinate, and I can choose not to. I hope that scientific studies continue to be performed to maximize the safety for those that are vaccinated. 

Most importantly, no matter what I or your doctor or school suggests, you are the parent, you know your child, and you get the final say.

Stephanie blogs at Adventures In Babywearing.