Recently vaccinations have become a controversial topic. Everything from what is in them to when to give them or if to give them. In Ontario your doctor will likely give the first one at 2 month as a vaccination elixir taken orally. Then every few months for the first year and a half of your child’s life another prick, a few tears, and back to normal. Or is it so simple?
Side effects from vaccines are a reality that has yet to be quantified. Some side effects include a rash anywhere on the body, raised, painful area at the insertion site, fever, vomiting, diarrhea, or fatigue. There are some side effects of which have been proposed by the general public but not backed up by appropriate studies. These are the scary ones. The ones that make people think twice about vaccinations. The first of these side effects is Autism and the second is death.
There is no official percentage given for the incidence of what is referred to as “vaccine injury”. The government of Ontario website only says that these are “rare”. However, if you do a simple search on the internet you will find a plethora of anecdotes of such “injuries”. Many suspect that heavy metals used in vaccinations, primarily mercury, are responsible for these incidences. Many suspect that they are due to overwhelming the fragile immune systems of tiny infants. So what are the facts?
The facts are that the preservative thimerosal (containing organic mercury) was removed from vaccinations in Ontario in 2001. Vaccinations save lives and prevent serious illness. Vaccines have been administered for over a hundred years. The vast majority of people have no side effects, serious or otherwise from vaccinations. Does this mean everyone should receive vaccinations?
Research is ongoing to determine if there is a subset of Autism that can be attributed to vaccinations. More research is also needed to quantify the occurrence of side effects. In Ontario alternative vaccination schedules are offered for those that are immune compromised due to disease or preexisting conditions. This is an indication that vaccines cannot be considered safe for everyone. And until we know more parents are well advised to do their own research, talk to their doctor about any concerns, and follow their gut. Vaccination is important for our society however, there is not simply one way to deliver vaccines. Make an informed decision on how and when to vaccinate your child. This will give you the peace of mind that they will be safe from both “vaccination injury” and deadly or serious diseases.
