How to make an informed choice about vaccines

What choices do you have? Some families choose to vaccinate their infants on the recommended schedule. Other people choose to vaccinate on a delayed or alternate schedule by either choosing to opt out of some vaccines and/or to change the age that vaccines are administered. Lastly some families make an informed choice not to administer any vaccines to their children.

How does someone decide what is right for their family?

Look at the current recommended schedule for your state or province. Research each illness that is included. What are the symptoms or signs of illness. What is the duration and range of severity of illness. What are the historical and current statistics for each illness? What is a normal course of each illness and what is a worst case scenario? Are there any possible long term or permanent effects?

Look at the ingredient list for each vaccine. What concerns are associated with some of the ingredients? What are the possible risks or side effects of each vaccine? Read the package inserts that can be easily found online for each vaccine. What are the listed known side effects or risks?

Ask a family doctor for information about vaccine options.

Ask a holistic practitioner for information about vaccines, alternative ways to support immunity and/or how to minimize the risks or side effects associated with vaccines.

Research the MTHFR gene mutation and how it can affect one’s ability to handle certain toxins or substances.

What does your parenting instinct say?

Compare a current vaccine schedule with a past vaccine schedule. (This link compares to a 2017 schedule. More vaccines have been added since then at the time of this posting).

Learn the differences between live vaccines, inactivated vaccines and shedding.

But don't children have to be completely vaccinated to attend school? No, not in almost all states and provinces. Some states have recently lost exemption rights but the majority still have options for people who are at risk for vaccine injury, have a personal or family history of vaccine injury or for religious or philosophical reasons.

The Vaccine Book by Robert W. Sears, M.D., F.A.A.P. is a good resource that lists unbiased information answering many of the questions above and he also suggests an alternate schedule (for American families). There are also several documentaries about vaccines. Consider all benefits, risks and your intuition. Try to filter fear out of decision making either way.