To vaccinate or not to vaccinate? Since the 2015 measles outbreak, that’s been a hotly debated question. More than 121 cases of measles in 17 states had been reported, sparking nationwide fear and controversy. While a senate committee has convened to discuss vaccines and preventable diseases, parents have continued to defend their stances on vaccinations in a heated national conversation.
We spoke with area medical professionals to get their thoughts.
Vaccinate in Full
and on Schedule
Tiffany Morgan, a nurse practitioner at Cook Children’s Health Care System in Fort Worth, advocates for full vaccination, advising parents to follow the vaccine schedules published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Updated annually, the schedules include immunizations against 14 preventable diseases — including measles — by age 5.
Morgan says she has witnessed firsthand the devastating results of delaying or opting out of vaccinations.
“I’ve taken care of countless children who did not get vaccinated on schedule and suffered very dire consequences as a result,” says Morgan. “Some have even died.”
She urges parents to trust their doctor’s education and experience. “Everyone should educate themselves to a degree, but also remember that this is a really complex scientific issue,” advises Morgan. “Get your information from credible sources, not just blogs and opinion sites. Most importantly, trust your medical professionals.”
Fully Vaccinate on Alternative Schedules
Approximately 40 percent of parents have their children vaccinated on a delayed or alternative schedule, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health. Reasons include a fear of severe reactions, general mistrust of vaccines, illness and lack of access to medical care. By choosing an alternative schedule, parents can be selective in what vaccines their child receives and when.
Dr. Ray Tsai, president of Children’s Health Pediatric Group, recommends following the CDC schedules but also urges parents to work with their doctor.
“Our first preference is to follow the vaccine schedule recommended by the CDC,” Tsai says. “It’s been proven to be safe. Millions of children every year get their vaccines according to the schedule. But if parents feel strongly about getting them on an alternative schedule, the American Academy of Pediatrics promotes working with the parents to get the children fully vaccinated, even if that means spacing them out.”
Tsai recommends that parents who delay vaccinations due to illness or other issues speak with their doctor about following a catch-up schedule to bring their child’s immunizations up to date.
”I think most pediatricians would rather you speak to them about the best process to get the child fully immunized, rather than not have the child immunized at all,” he stresses.
Opt Out of One-Size-
Fits-All Vaccinations
While there is no official tally of how many parents are choosing not to vaccinate their children, the anti-vaccine movement is growing, particularly among affluent families. Reasons for this choice include an alleged link between vaccines and autism, concerns about side effects and a belief that vaccines carry more inherent risk than the diseases they prevent.
“Many vaccinations mandated by the current vaccination schedule are to protect against diseases that are nuisances with very small risk of serious complications for healthy, well-nourished people,” says Amy Rogers, a local nurse who has chosen to use a pseudonym out of fear of backlash.
Rogers expressed concerns about the safety of vaccines.
“The one-size-fits-all approach is not necessarily safe for everyone,” Rogers offers. “I have personally cared for several vaccine-injured people, and while the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System site insists that most reactions to vaccines are coincidences, the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program has paid more than $2.6 billion to vaccine-injured people since 1989.”
Rogers urges parents to educate themselves, and she outlines practical measures for parents who choose not to vaccinate their children.
“If you have chosen an alternate schedule or no vaccines at all, practice good hand washing, provide a healthy diet, ensure outdoor playtime and limit exposure to people with symptoms of illness,” says Rogers.
Image courtesy of iStock.
