Here we go, measles outbreak in Campbeltown and all the children involved were not fu

[soccer mum]

And whooping cough outbreak started in the norther rivers - which is very much an attachment parenting - for want of a better word hippy/crunchy area. I don't mean that attachment parents are the only ones to blame at all, but it does seem to be a group that doesn't vaccinate.

I know a few non-vaxxers and I have talked to them about it as I am keen to learn their POV. All non-vaxxers I know are the 'hippy' type. I think in the age of ipads and ipods etc people are trying to be more 'natural' - which in itself isnt bad - I'm also keen for less chemicals in my body, but personally the risks of not vaxxing are far too great to me.

I do wonder if its the fact that vaccinations are needles that puts a lot of people off - because once a needle is given you can't ungive it, rather than a course of tablets you could stop taking, for example. And maybe the idea that injecting something is 'unatural'? If people do have severe reactions and it was a course of tablets, then they could stop IYKWIM

[beebs]

Wow we must have been really unlucky then As must a lot of people I know

I have no idea what your or your friends situation is, but I think our ideas may differ when it comes to what constitutes a vaccine reaction??

[OM]

I have no idea what your or your friends situation is, but I think our ideas may differ when it comes to what constitutes a vaccine reaction??

Possibly, however any type of adverse side effect it cannot be denied is a reaction

For the sake of you understanding where I am coming from though how about trouble breathing and hives. I think that's a big enough reaction for me to say no to vaccinating my children anymore.

[beebs]

I think that's a big enough reaction for me to say no to vaccinating my children anymore.

I would agree.

[Rbottom]

Some of the highest non vax rates are starting to be in areas with highly educated middle class, like the northern beaches. I find that really interesting.

I think you will find vaccines are just one area that this group is skeptical about. Its just one small fragment of a very big picture which involves toxic free lifestyles and very little trust in big corporations and the government.

Not vaccinating because its 'trendy' is not on, neither is just being lazy. I am a very selective vaxxer through being informed and educated. I also have the means to treat my child (if they could be treated) if they contracted a VDP. It would not be a matter for the public health system. If I did not have these means then I would not have had children. Its about being responsible for your actions.

[VicPark]

All people who don't vax should have their children taken off them.

Especially if those children are also obese.


Oh and circumcised.

I agree

[Ffrenchknickers]

I agree

Of course you do..

[VicPark]

If a person truly believes that swelling and redness is a reason not to vaccinate, that is whether you like it or not, still a medical reason.

Yeah but it's like a housewife breaking a nail while vacuuming and using that as an excuse to never do housework ever again!

[VicPark]

Of course you do..

-

[samsausage]

It's just that vaxxing is a very grey area, you damned if you do, damned if you don't.

Actually no, it's not. Not even close.

On the one hand you have science: literally hundreds of reproducible/independently validated/peer reviewed studies which support childhood vaccination.

On the other hand you have what exactly? I've been on this site since 2007 and have yet to see one single piece of evidence which supports not vaccinating our children.

The fact is if you make the choice not to vaccinate then you are putting other peoples children at risk. I can understand that people don't like to hear that as it goes against their carefully constructed rationale for not vaccinating.

I challenge anyone on this site to truly, honestly look at their rationale for not vaccinating their children. If there is any hint of reasons like distrusting the medical community or being suspiscious of 'big pharma' or a reliance on anecdotal evidence then I urge your to rethink your stance. If those reasons form part of your decision making process (and yes, this demands complete self honestly and a mature ability to self reflect) then you need to go back and start again with the facts, and only the facts.