http://www.momvaccines.org/html/vaccine_waiver.html

http://spktruth2power.wordpress.com/2009/08/16/state-by-state-vaccine-waiver-requirements/

Sarah, I’ll email you with my doc’s name, but suggest she go to the WAP chapter meetings which begin again next month!

Kelly

They are due for their booster shots now but I will not be getting them, so at least I am able to spare their immune systems from some of that stuff. Plus, we have never had a flu shot. Ever. (And we’ve never had the flu. Ever.) I wish I’d had more information in the beginning and I would have chosen differently.

We aren’t going to have any more children, but if we did, I have read enough information now to convince me completely that I want to avoid vaccines. I would have no problem turning them down now.

I agree that whether you choose to get vaccines or not, it should be an informed personal choice. I would never tell someone not to vaccinate their children, but I don’t mind sharing the information from “the other side” so at least people can make more informed choices. It took a lot of information for me to become “informed,” so I understand why it is difficult to make the leap to side against vaccination. The new HPV vaccines and the HINI are really scary to me, though. I would avoid those like the plague.

Mike Adams with Natural News (and several other NN writers) write prolifically warning against vaccines. It’s worth taking a look for anyone who wants more information about why vaccines aren’t so great.

By the way, (and please feel free to e-mail me back about this) do you have a referral for a good pediatrician in the Grand Rapids area? Believe it or not, she lives there now (just moved there!) and is searching for a pediatrician that is a bit more open to limited vaccinations and an extended or delayed schedule . . . we were just talking about it this morning on the phone and I realized that I knew TWO blogging friends in the area so thought I’d ask! When I saw you had written this post, I figured it was serendipitous!

I appreciate you Kelly, you’re a fantastic blogger and a resource to many!

Best,
Sarah

This is such an awesome post; thank you for all of the work you put into this. I’ll be linking to this and sending folks your way when the subject comes up.

We got talked into a few vax for dd#1, the dTap (pertussins was going around) and Hib I think. Our pediatrician is very relaxed about it and believes in trusting a mom’s intuition. It’s a good thing that I didn’t do any more for her, though, because she has neuro-developmental “issues” resulting from oxygen depravation and prenatal malnutrition due to a disfunctional placenta. On top of that, she had to be on a course of prophylactic antibiotics for her first year of life due to kidney refux disorder. So….let’s just say her immune system was compromised. We have been dealing with gluten/grain sensitivities, behavioral problems, developmental delays, slow growth, yeast overgrowth, and heavy metal toxicity (with amazing imrpovements, thank God) for 4 years now. I can’t imagine what more vax would have added to that scenario.

My unvaxed son is the healthiest, sturdiest, happiest, most peaceful 2 year old I’ve ever seen (if I do say so myself). He never gets sick more than the sniffles, and always recovers within 24 hours.

In spite of a very relaxed ped, we have ultimately transitioned our care to naturopathic doctors who we don’t have to worry about “cornering” us into vaccines and support the notion of building immunity in other ways.

I think nutrition is foundational to immune-building. My kids eat no grains and no sugars (fruit is a treat and is eaten in moderation) or processed junk foods. Lots of veggies, greens, water, raw milk, grass-fed beef, seafood, cod liver oil, coconut oil, etc.) and I think this is key to helping children keep their immune systems running optimally.

Thanks again for this great post!

I’m def. looking forward to part 2. My oldest is fully vaxed, but I don’t love the idea of the boosters before KG (next year! Gahhhhhh!) so I’m anticipating learning from you about exemptions. Your research is fabulously sound, and I empathize w/yr dozens of hours. If only all the info could be in one place AND make sense AND be accurate, right?

My babe is partially vaccinated, and hubby just got talked into the flu and pneumonia shots when he went in for a yearly physical. (If I had been there…!!) It’s a tough (12 tough!) decision.

Thank you!
Katie

I do not have children. My husband would absolutely vaccinate them. There are certain things that I would vaccinate for, but I would spread them out, like someone else mentioned. I can’t imagine HOW it could possibly be okay to have the immune system overwhelmed by being forced to suddenly recognized a dozen different diseases (many of which can be deadly).

I never do the flu shot. My husband does. I rarely get sick with small things like that–he tends to though (but he LOVES his carbs and soda when he’s at work).

One thing about the traditional medical doctors and the stance on vaccinations: there is a potential legal liability there if they recommend against them and your child gets sick with one of the diseases that could have been prevented. Given that, many probably prefer to say nothing at all. Even naturopathic physicians must be careful giving such advice, but because they are more naturally oriented and their time slots are filled differently, they can take the time to educate you and allow you to come to your own decisions. However, most NDs do not vaccinate in their offices (at least around here). There just isn’t enough call for them to do that.