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When I first began my research on vaccinations, I genuinely
wanted to know the truth about vaccines; even if it wasn't the results I wanted
to see. Thankfully, in my research I've
found plenty of information to support my opinion. While researching I have also come to the
conclusion that it is every parent’s responsibility to properly research
vaccines before inoculating their children.
Although almost all of the vaccines do not have any severe problems, it
is crucial to know the facts.
I decided to first begin my research with the one place that
provided and regulated all vaccinations; the Center for Disease Control or
CDC. The CDC’s website was very informative. They have an actual page within their site
that lists every vaccine possible, along with the minor to severe problems that
have been associated with it. The website lists everything, including the DTap’s
side effects; it gives the mild problems, moderate problems and severe
problems. It even goes so far as to give
you the statistical chance of it occurring in a child. For example, “Moderate Problems (uncommon):
Seizure (jerking or staring) (about 1 child out of 14,000), non-stop crying,
for 3 hours or more (up to about 1 child out of 1,000), high fever, 105 degrees
Fahrenheit or higher (about 1 child out of 16,000).”(Vaccines) I think that giving information like this and
in the form they choose to do so is very helpful and easy for parents to
understand. This website is incredibly accessible
to parents, a reliable source of information and can be quickly navigated.
The second resource I found especially helpful was an
article from the Pediatrics medical journal.
The article addresses how to handle parent’s concerns on the effects of
vaccines on their children’s immune systems.
It first began by discussing the growing number of parent’s that are
choosing not to vaccinate. One of the
main reasons being that many of the diseases have not made an appearance in
their lives, believing that the disease is possibly extinct; when in reality we
don’t see them because we vaccinate against them. But due to the lack of their appearance, it
causes parents to have more questions.
This particular article addressed how physicians can address parent’s
concerns; “Because most parents receive information and recommendations about
vaccines from their doctors, and because these recommendations carry substantial
weight with parents, providers must be knowledgeable when addressing parents’
concerns.” (Offit, 124) It goes on to
explain in detail specific areas of concern and what happens within the immune
system of a child. I found this article
to be very credible, it explained thoroughly what happens when the vaccines go
into the body and gave me helpful tips on how to address concerns. 
I feel like I’m on a good track so far with my research. I have openly researched the other side of
the argument and have found a lack of reliable information to support it;
whereas, I found plenty of reliable information to support my original
opinion. I will continue to research and
will willing give any information that pertains to the topic.
Works Cited
Offit, Paul A., Jessica Quarles, et. al. Addressing Parents Concerns: Do Multiple
Vaccines Overwhelm or Weaken the Infants Immune System? Pediatrics Vol.
109, No. 1. January 2002. <pediatrics.aappublications.org>.
Vaccines: Vac-Gen/Side
Effects. 26 August 2013. <www.cdc.gov>.
Hi Katy!
ReplyDeleteI love how your research starts with a pic saying "Be wise immunize." I think using the CDC is a great start to get creditable information that is also accurate information. I think parents now days are more out spoken when it comes to their children especially with vaccines. I think partly because of the effects it may have on their children. But in reality the chances of any effect are very low. I think that sometimes the parent thinks their are helping their child by not vaccinating them but their just actually not protecting the child/children. In my opinion preventions is my motto and the key. I think by giving ways on how vaccines can help the child could also be a way to help parents in the decision making. What are the effects if children are not vaccinated? Are their any laws that regulate vaccinations? that would be interesting to know. Good Luck!!
Ness
Katy,
ReplyDeleteYour source is very creditable. The CDC is the best place to look when looking for real answers and creditable research. Most doctors can't agree anymore on this topic. Your right parents are concerned of the effects and the rick of immunizations. I run a childcare and I have to option to except children immunized exempt or not. I choose to however I warn parent if there is any dangerous stuff going around their child is at high risk of getting sick. This is a great time of year to talk about immunizations. With the flu vaccine is full swing I hear so many different opinions. Some parents are all for it and other despise the idea. However if flu is around that child is a great risk. This is a very conflicting topic there is probably plenty of information on it. Just an idea, maybe find chart and data with the difference of people that are immunized and those that are not. It would be interesting to see the difference.
First I want to say that I have immunized all seven of my children. My question is this: What about the claims that some vaccines have caused autism? Where did this come from, what were they using as proof and how did the medical community refute this. I heard it came from one of the ingredients put into the vaccine, but I am not sure. Are you going to be addressing this. My second question sounds like a conspiracy theory question. Some people think that the drug companies and some others associated with the vaccines are glossing over the problems. Have you heard anything about these problems?
ReplyDeleteI think you are on such a great track for making an excellent paper! I really love that you are looking into both sides. I feel like with you doing that you are opening your mind to why some parents don’t vaccinate ad that will give you better paper. I love how you are putting some problems the vaccines may have and that you are including the likely hood of them! That is very good information for everyone to know. I think if you were to put the chances of getting whooping cough without the vaccine and compare that to the possible side effects that would be a great visual for people as well. I still like the idea you had last week on how if you don’t vaccinate you child you are possibly causing health risks for classmates. My son has a very weak immune system so when a parent doesn’t vaccinate and my child goes around them and they are sick it is not fair to my son who I have tried to protect. I feel like you are on the right track and I can’t wait to read your paper!
ReplyDeleteKaty you are so right. Most of our knowledge about our children's vaccines come from the papers that are given to you by your doctors right before your appointment or when you get into the doctors room. They hand you the papers with all the different vaccines listed on them along with lots of information about each vaccine. Do the parents actually have time to read them before the nurse comes in to vaccinate their child? I know I never actually read them and when I left I do not actually think I still read them then. So I am interested to hear what your paper is going to say and what you are going to find to educate us on the pros and cons of getting our children vaccinated.
ReplyDelete