Childhood Vaccination: Questions All Parents Should Ask by Raquel Lazar-Paley
The issue of childhood vaccinations is quickly becoming the health issue of the 21st century. As the number of children with autism, juvenile diabetes, allergies, asthma, learning disorders, ADD/ADHD and other chronic illnesses reaches epidemic proportions, parents (and scientists) are becoming increasingly concerned and critical of childhood vaccination. Members of the general public are asking questions that need answers. Many of these questions are leading them to wonder about the safety and effectiveness of childhood vaccinations.
Several doctors and researchers have written books on the matter. Tedd Koren, D.C. is one of them. In his book Childhood Vaccinations: Questions All Parents Should Ask, Dr. Koren explores some of the basic vaccination questions drawing from a wide variety of sources based on empirical clinical findings, U.S. government reports and articles published in biomedical journals - among others. Traditional medical pediatricians recommend that vaccinations begin as early as birth and continue regularly until about age 8. Parents are led to believe that the only way to prevent an outbreak of these diseases is to immunize their children.
Confidence in vaccinations is so prevalent that children are required to show immunization records before they can enroll in public schools. Many parents do not even know they have a choice in childhood immunizations and that in many states not only are medical and religious exemptions permitted, but personal belief exemptions as well.
Skepticism about the safety of vaccines used to be on the fringes, but has now found its way into the mainstream media. The debut show of Eli Stone on ABC centered around the issue of vaccines and autism. While the show included statements that science has refuted any link between autism and vaccines, the episode's conclusion delivered a contrary impression. In the end, the jury awarded the mother $5.2 million, leaving audiences with the idea that vaccines do cause autism.
Clearly, the ground swell is growing and many are seeking answers to the long-term safety and effectiveness of childhood vaccinations. Parents are asking more and more questions about immunization requirements, including:· How effective are vaccinations? · What's in a vaccine? · Are vaccinated children healthier than non-vaccinated children? · Are vaccines safe? Do the benefits of vaccination outweigh the risks? · How is vaccine research conducted? How thoroughly are vaccines tested? How long are test children observed?
Resources on the internet are helping parents get educated about vaccinations. There are even online courses like "Childhood Vaccination: Questions All Parents Should Ask" available to practitioners and parents alike.
As we stand together asking these questions, doctors, researchers, pharmaceutical companies, and the FDA will feel more and more pressure to answer them with sound, long-term research, before making them requirements. Regardless of your opinion on whether or not all children should be vaccinated, these are undoubtedly questions that all parents should ask.
Source:
Raquel Lazar-Paley, Esq., is the owner and director of Conscious Woman, Inc., an online community aimed at raising awareness of legal and consumer issues concerning women's health, children's health and welfare, and the environment. Conscious Woman utilizes cutting-edge, live interactive online learning classrooms and forums to promote informed choices.
