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by Liza Janda

Pregnancy BlogsJust this week, one of my Bradley Method and Prenatal Yoga students asked me if I had any blog posts about vaccination. I said I did not, mainly because I know little to nothing about vaccinations. Also, it’s a really, touchy subject. I’d rank it up there with circumcision, abortion, gun control, politics (ugh)! No thanks. I’ll avoid that conversation.  But her question spurred me on to do a little research and create a blog post.

I am not here to give you an uninformed opinion (that’s what my opinion would be). But I will give you information so you can do your own research and you can make your own informed decision. The opportunities to sign a waiver, get a medical exemption, or opt-out of vaccinations for any reason, are getting less and less in California. I am not an “anti-vaxxer” I am pro “do your own research and make decisions WITH your care provider”. But here is an article for anti-vaxxers (as they are called in this article) Anti-Vaxxers Have A Plan To Get Around California’s New Vaccination Law. And this is the link to the state law requiring vaccines. Below you’ll find many resources and more information on immunizations.

Questions to ask your pediatrician
regarding vaccinations:

  1. Why get vaccinated?
  2. Who should get the vaccine and when?
  3. Who should not get the vaccine or who should wait?
  4. What are the risks of the vaccine?
  5. What if there is a moderate or severe reaction to the vaccine? What should I do?
  6. Is my child sick right now?
  7. Has my child had a bad reaction to an immunization before?
  8. Does my child have a personal or family history of:
    • Vaccine reaction
    • Convulsions or neurological disorders?
    • Severe allergies?
    • Immune system disorders?
  1. Do I know if my child is at a high risk of reacting?
  2. Do I have full information on the vaccine’s side effects?
  3. Do I know how to identify a vaccine reaction?
  4. Do I know how to report a vaccine reaction?
  5. Do I know the vaccine manufacturer and lot number?

THE AAP’S STATEMENT on immunizations:

One very important step in ensuring the health of any child is to make sure he or she receives immunizations at the correct time. Whether it’s a childhood MMR vaccine or an adolescent pertussis booster, these simple procedures can save lives – and AAP is here to answer any questions you may have about childhood immunization.”

CDC Immunization

Immunization Schedules:  https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/

Vaccines and Pregnancy:  https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pregnancy/index.html

The COVID-19 Vaccine and Pregnancy

  1. From Johns Hopkins
  2. From WHO – “The World Health Organization recommends against getting a COVID-19 vaccine during pregnancy, except for women at high risk of exposure to the virus or of becoming severely ill, according to guidance released this week.   The organization said there isn’t enough vaccine data on pregnancies to determine the efficacy or risk in pregnancy. Neither Moderna nor Pfizer enrolled pregnant women in their clinical trials..”  https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/pharmacy/most-pregnant-women-shouldn-t-get-covid-19-vaccines-who-says.html

Lists of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases:

  1. http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd-vac/vaccines-list.htm
  2. https://www.aap.org/en-us/advocacy-and-policy/aap-health-initiatives/immunization/Pages/vaccine-preventable-diseases-and-policy.aspx?nfstatus=401&nftoken=00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000&nfstatusdescription=ERROR%3a+No+local+token

AAP – Vaccine Safety

Many parents worry about the possible side effects of vaccinating their child and if their child really needs all those shots.

Pro/Con Information: Pro/Con – http://vaccines.procon.org/ The Leading Source For Pros & Cons Of Controversial Issues

So what if your child does have a bad reaction? What do you do? Whom do you contact?

  • THE NATIONAL VACCINE INJURY COMPENSATION PROGRAM:

1-800-338-2382 , http://www.hrsa.gov/vaccinecompensation/

Books on Immunizations Pro & Con:

From America’s most trusted name in pediatrics – an indispensable, comprehensive, most up-to-date guide for parents facing the childcare question of the decade: “Should I vaccinate my child?” Dr. Sears provides an in-depth look at each disease/vaccine pair, presents reasons both for and against administering each vaccine, and offers the essential tools for making informed decisions about your child’s health.

By Stephanie Cave, MD, with Deborah Mitchell. An important resource that respects parents’ intelligence and encourages them to be equal partners with doctors in deciding which vaccines their children should get and when they should get them.

Aviva Jill Romm. Written by an herbalist and midwife, this is a lucid, reader-friendly presentation of a controversial topic. “The best book I’ve seen on the subject. Its commonsense, non-hysterical approach assures legitimate and informed consent.” Peggy O’Mara

·      Deadly Choices: How the Anti-Vaccine Movement Threatens Us All by Paul Offit

This information does not substitute for a care provider-patient relationship and should not be relied on as personal medical advice. Any information should not be acted upon without professional input from one’s own healthcare provider.

When in doubt, ask your BRAIN questions:

What are the Benefits? 

What are the Risks? 

What are the Alternatives?

Once you got the information use your Intuition. 

Ask what if we do Nothing?