My daughter and son-in-law are against immunizing their kids. Will my grand kids be okay?

Question

So far, neither of my grandsons have received any of their required vaccinations because their parents say they're not really necessary. In addition, my oldest grandson has a cronic horseness that they are ignoring. Should I be concerened and if "yes," what can I tell them that they might need listen to know?

Answer 1

Hello,
Before answering your question, I am going to make a comment. I was reading through the responses that you have received already. I noticed that there are a lot of "thumbs up" and "thumbs down" to many different replies. I am going to ask you to please
take these with a grain of salt. Many people have been led to believe that vaccinations are mandatory. They are not mandatory. Some people say that they are "required" in order to be admitted into daycare or school. This is not true. Many people believe this because health care providers do not mention that there are exemptions.

FACT:
The actual requirement in the US is that the school or daycare must be provided with a "proof of vaccination" OR an "exemption". That is the law. The law is set by each individual state. There are basically three reasons for exemption: Medical, Religious, and Philosophical. Here is a quote and link straight from the FDA website:
"All States allow medical exemptions for immunization. Forty-eight States permit exemptions for religious reasons and 15 States permit parents to claim exemptions on philosophical grounds."
http://www.fda.gov/CBER/faq/vacfaq.htm


Now on to my answer...

First, regarding the chronic hoarseness that you say they are ignoring. They should definitely get that checked out. If they do not want to go to a regular doctor, they should look into naturopathic medicine or homeopathy. These are 2 great alternatives.

Now, to the big question…

You asked: "Will my grand kids be okay?"

Vaccinations or no vaccinations, that question is impossible to answer. There is no sure 100% way to protect our children from everything. There are risks associated with diseases like whooping cough, measles, chicken pox, etc.. just as there are risks associated with the vaccines. Also, vaccines are not 100% effective. It is the parents' responsibility to weigh the risks of the vaccines to the risks of the diseases.

There are many bad reactions to vaccines. You can check the VAERS database for more info. http://vaers.hhs.gov/

Here is a link of some results from that site. It shows all adverse reactions to vaccines with the word "meningitis". Note: It shows many cases where meningitis was actually CAUSED by a vaccine. It also shows many cases where the vaccine failed to prevent the disease. This is a government run site, so there are no conspiracy theories here.
http://www.medalerts.org/vaersdb/findfield.php?PAGENO=1&PERPAGE=10&SYMPTOMS=meningitis

Vaccinations also contain heavy metals such as mercury and aluminum. Why do they tell pregnant women and women who are breastfeeding not to consume tuna due to high mercury levels? Because it is dangerous. FDA suggested that vaccine manufacturers stop using thimerosal in their products, although they have not banned it from vaccines. Many vaccines still contain mercury. Here's a link: http://www.bestsyndication.com/?q=081206_autism_mercury.htm

Look at some of the other ingredients in vaccines.... human diploid cells from aborted fetal tissue, continuous line of monkey kidney cells. Here is a link: http://www.informedchoice.info/cocktail.html

Here is the insert for the chicken pox vaccine.. direct from Merck:
http://www.merck.com/product/usa/pi_circulars/v/varivax/varivax_pi.pdf#search=%22Varivax%20insert%22

There have even been cases where the vaccine actually CAUSED the disease. Here is a recent report in the news where the Polio Vaccine actually caused Polio.
http://www.scidev.net/news/index.cfm?fuseaction=readnews&itemid=3062&language=1

There are many children who have suffered very badly from vaccines. Here is a recent report in the news:
http://today.reuters.com/News/CrisesArticle.aspx?storyId=PEK202650

You can also find many stories online of parents whose children had very severe reactions such as this one:
http://www.cindeegardner.com/shana.htm

Then, I believe there are diseases that are actually good for a child to catch as a child. Take Chicken Pox for example.
I remember when I was a child and the vaccine for chicken pox did not exist. Chicken Pox was not a big deal back then. It was considered a good thing if we got it at a young age. This would provide lifelong, natural immunity. All of a sudden, there is this huge fear of chicken pox. And now many schools are "requiring" the chicken pox vaccine.

I, personally, would never inject that stuff into my child. The vaccine's risks outweigh the risks of complications caused by chicken pox. And, on top of that, the vaccine is not 100% effective. It may also give you a higher chance to get shingles as an adult, which is worse than having chicken pox as a child.

The reason that I am showing you this is so that you can see that there are always two sides to the story. Natural Disease isn’t the only bad thing out there that can harm children. Vaccines can too.

I can go on and on. But this answer would be much longer than it is. Once you finish reading this answer, you need to continue the research on your own.


In my opinion, it should be the parents’ choice to vaccinate or not to vaccinate their children. Ultimately, it is the parents' who are responsible for their children’s' well being. Either way, vaccines or no vaccines, it is the parents' who have to live with their decision. Everyone on here that is saying "They HAVE to vaccinate them". I ask all of you something... If they do vaccinate them, and there are long term complications, are YOU the one that has to live with it? Are you going to take care of their child? No. The parents are. So why not just let the parents make this important decision? I bet that most of you have never fully researched the subject.

I strongly believe in making an INFORMED DECISION. First do the research and ONLY THEN decide to vaccinate or not to vaccinate. What I feel needs to be done by parents in regards to this subject is this:

1. Research the risks of EACH vaccine and EACH disease.
2. Compare the two. Do the risks outweigh the benefits?
3. Be prepared for the risks. For example, if they choose not to vaccinate, they need to boost their child's immune system through vitamins and minerals and whole foods. They also need to know how to treat these diseases if their child comes down with one.



Now, being the concerned grandparent that you are, here is my recommendation to you:

I presented you many facts. I also gave you my opinion. My opinion is just my point of view. Think for yourself. Open your mind first. Remove any prejudices that you may have. Then research the topic. Don't research it from a Pro-Vaccination standpoint. Don't research it from an Anti-Vaccination standpoint. Research it with an open mind. Look at both sides of the story. Sometimes you may need to read between the lines. Look at the benefits and risks of EACH vaccine. Look at the risks, probability and benefits of EACH disease. There are so many questions that you need to ask. For example… How likely is it that my grandchild will get Polio? How severe is whooping cough? If my grandchild contracts Whooping Cough, what are the reactions? If treated properly, is it very dangerous or is it just an inconvenience? What are the adverse reactions to the MMR Vaccine? How likely are they? What is the success rate of the vaccine? … Those are just quick examples.

Then, if you feel that you should discuss this with your child, do so. I would never push my opinion on anyone. Think about it. How would you feel if you push them to vaccinate and they do. Then, their children end up being the ones that have a negative reaction. Ultimately, the decision should be left up to them and you should support their decision either way as long as they are making their decision in their children's best interest.

Answer 2

Here's the scoop:
Tetanus: Is life threatening. It is outside, it is inside, it is everywhere.. spores live on pretty much every surface. Every ten years a new shot is needed. Every time there is a cut, a scrape, a strawberry on the knee, there is a chance of getting tetanus.
HepB and other certain vaccines = required for school aged children.
HiB, Can cause meningitis in the little ones, and pneumonia in the slightly older population.
Measles, Mumps, Rubella = dangerous to pregnant woman, and their unborn fetus. Also can cause sterility especially in little boys. Getting Orchitis from mumps can cause sterility. That doesn't rule out all of the rest of the diseases, pneumonias, and meningitis that these diseases can cause.

Will the schools let the children in if they aren't vaccinated?
Usually the answer is no.
The vaccines are really necessary.
And they really DO need them...
Even though herd protection can help keep them safe in some respects.
Wild Polio is still out there, and yes children can still get it... but rarely.
You should be concerned.
When a family comes in with concerns about vaccines I talk to them about it.
Ask them to accompany them to the pediatrician and have the pediatrician talk to them about everything.

Answer 3

I have two kids.. 11 and 10. I didn't immunize my children because I had a sister who lost her son at 3 months and it just terrified me to think it might have had something to do with immunizations. Looking back now.. I was only paranoid and overly protective.. but I NEVER immunized my children until they started school.. and then it was required of me. I hated having to do it.. but I was forced to.

My children were both healthy and normal without having vaccinations. I don't know if I would recommend it to anybody else.. but ppl do things for their own reasons.. so I completely understand.

Immunizations still have risks. It's something that needs to be researched. Your daughter has her reasons..

In regards to his chronic hoarseness.. could be the air he's breathing.. his environment. Might just need a humidifier for his bedroom while he's sleeping at night.. :D

Good luck with your grandsons.. They'll grow into strong healthy boys. Take care.

Answer 4

All vaccinations are not necessary, even though they are "required" by medical physicians and schools. I suggest doing some research on the vaccinations and seeing what they are actually doing to the body. There are many good websites and article in health magazines that can help you out. Maybe your daughter and son-in-law have already done that. You could also get some information from a non-medical physician, such as a chiropractor.

Answer 5

The new strains of illnesses makes vaccination mandatory for children. Before, we could afford to ignore fever that last even a week and eventually the body recovers. Nowadays, a fever could hide a more serious illness that could kill within three days, hence complete blood chemistry is recommended within the second day to be repeated every 24 hours. Hyperventilation and shortness of breath, including hoarseness could mean a lot of things but medication attention is definietly immediately needed. Bronchopneumonia used to be survivable for 24 hours, now the patient could die within six to 12 hours. The purpose of vaccination is to prepare the body's antibodies in resisting illnesses. It is gross ignorance and irresponsibility to say that the vaccinations are not necessary.

Answer 6

.immunizations are required by law , like it or not. they could have their children taken away from them . if one of those children get something that the shots could of prevented , they as parents can be charged with child neglect the kids will have to have shot records to start school. i think you should see a heath nurse or doctor and get information on immunizing and share it with the children's parents . people like them are the reason we have these laws to protect kids.
the chronic hoarseness could be serious ,like cancer of the throat. i don't mean to scare you but if the parents don't get him looked at . you should step in and do whatever you have to see them kids are correctly taken care of
good luck and i hope the best for the children that ain't old enough to make their own choices

Answer 7

your grandchildren need help!!!!, without proper vaccinations they may not go to school. They will not be allowed. If records are forged their parents could get in serious trouble. If one of these kids comes down with one of the viruses they could likely die. It is a concern. Their young bodies cannot handle it. There is a reason they came up with the vaccinations...... people have died and not just a few.......

Answer 8

first of all, when they reach school age the school will want an immunization record from the family doctor, without it they won't be allowed in school until they get their required shots by state law. Yes I would have a chronic cough checked out, especially in a small child.

Answer 9

Your daughter and son in law are making a huge mistake. Children still get mumps, measles, whooping cough, tetanus and any number of absolutely preventable childhood diseases. Children DIE, let me repeat this DIE, because they catch these diseases. Check out the CDC website for information about the recent mumps outbreaks as well as mortality statistics. Immunizations are necessary, not optional.

Answer 10

This is sheer foolishness. To apply Anderson Cooper's quote about Hurricane Katrina "Hope is not a plan." Hope will not prevent major disease. The small possibility of side effects is more than outweighed by the sheer damage that a disease that could have been easily prevented can cause.

Answer 11

I guess they plan on home schooling?

The grandson needs to be checked by a doctor. They need to atleast see that is going on with his throat.