So....My son is going to be on his high school tennis team and being the procrastinators we are, we just got his sports physical yesterday.

I prepared myself for the onslaught from the nurses and doctor on vaccines. Andrew has rarely been to the doctor, but when I took him for a camp physical 2 years ago, I practically had to put a choke hold on the nurse to shut her up about vaccines. FWIW, Andrew WAS given all the little kid vaccines as I was not as educated 15 years ago. Like many parents I did what I was told in regard to giving my kid shots.

Anyway, the nurse did BP, height, weight and all that. She then asked about Tetanus and meningococcal meningitis vaccines. I very bluntly said "We are here for a sports physical, and that's IT" She turned kind of red, said OK and walked out. I was polite but very firm.

The doctor we've seen before was on spring break so we saw a new young very pleasant lady doctor. She started right in on the vaccines. I told her that I was not interested in hearing her pitch although I realize that she's just doing her job. I also told her that Andrew had all of his childhood stuff, but that since then I have spent years researching and I'm not convinced about the safety or effectiveness of the vaccines they are suggesting. I went on to tell her that I have signed a waiver at the high school stating that my child will not be receiving any more vaccines because of my personal conviction. Gotta love Wisconsin, cause many states won't recognize personal conviction as a reason to refuse vaccines.

Anyway, she listened to me and I told her about the research I've done, and that I truly don't believe that a healthy kid is obtained by shooting him up with a vaccine. ESPECIALLY vaccines that are known to cause autoimmune diseases like Guillain-Barre Syndrome. Keep in mind that only 1,000-2,600 people in the entire US contract meningococcal meningitis and that it is treatable with penicillin. I also told her I realize there is a risk of death and other side effects from this disease but that the risks from the vaccine seemed pretty scary too. My son is ready to get his driver's license and that's WAY more scary to me than his risk of getting meningitis!

We talked in depth for about 15 more minutes with my son rolling his eyes the the entire time, then came the clincher. LOL She said that I was much more informed and educated than most parents she talked to and that she respected my opinions and completely understood. She then took a deep breath and said "BUT KIDS DIE FROM MM!! AND USUALLY WITHIN 24 HOURS!" She was getting a few sweat beads on her brow by this time.

I just stared at her for a moment and said "Did you hear anything I said? Scare tactics are NOT going to work on me. We won't be getting any vaccines today! Let's just get on with the physical please." I told her that if my son gets cut I'll be in right away for a tetanus shot, as that is one vaccine that actually works and has minimal risk.

She cleared her throat and went on with the exam and was quite pleasant for the rest of the visit. Right before I left she had the nurse come in with a vaccine waiver, which I gladly signed.

I can see how easy it is for parents to get strong armed into going along with treatments, medications and procedures that they aren't sure of. I feel like I was on the hot seat for most of our office visit, but since I was prepared for it and ready to meet the challenge it was actually kind of interesting.

I'm not advising that people don't vaccinate their kids or whatever, but just relating my experience on how the modern medial profession tries to scare people into questioning themselves and their own beliefs. I feel we are all responsible for our own health, and that of our kids and animals. I want my doctor and vet to be a part of my team, not an adversary. It's really kind of sad.

 Quote: cindy easton rhodes

She said that I was much more informed and educated than most parents she talked to and that she respected my opinions and completely understood. She then took a deep breath and said "BUT KIDS DIE FROM MM!! AND USUALLY WITHIN 24 HOURS!" She was getting a few sweat beads on her brow by this time.

LOL...I can totally visualize this. Poor dear must have looked like a balloon ready to pop.

 Quote:

I feel like I was on the hot seat for most of our office visit, but since I was prepared for it and ready to meet the challenge it was actually kind of interesting.

Mentally preparing yourself for the onslaught and calmly, but firmly, taking the issue off the table really does work, IME. With vets I don't allow the conversation to even start. I agree it IS sad having to wrangle with healthcare providers...but in a weird way, kind of fun, too.

I completely agree Cindy. Congratulations to you for sticking to your guns.

 Quote: Cindy Easton Rhodes

I want my doctor and vet to be a part of my team, not an adversary. It's really kind of sad.

That is the crux of the issue isn't it? And I think you will search for a very long time to find an allopathic doctor (whether for people or animals) that will be willing to listen and really hear what you are saying. I had one, and discovered at my last appointment that she had sold her practice and had seemingly disappeared off the face of the earth.

I've purposely left out in other post what choices my wife and I have made for our child's vaccines. I personally, like you, don't want to sway anyone this way or that way.

One vaccine that I will say that we did not get was the rotavirus vaccine. Rota is basically horrible diarrhea. Well, we all know that being proactive about dehydration is probably the best thing you can do for diarrhea. Common sense. Pay attention to your child, do what you can to keep them hydrated, go to the hospital for fluids if they are dehydrating despite your efforts.

Koen's vaccinated cousin, who comes to work here, too, got rotavirus. He had terrible diarrhea for 2 weeks straight. Many days 8 to 10 bowel movements a day.

Of course, our grubby little boy got it, too......and completely cleared it within 3 days.:smile: Probably 10 bowel movements total.

It helped re-affirm, in my mind, that we made the right choice regarding this vaccine. His little body handled it perfectly, IMO. We'll see how the next case of rota goes.(crosses fingers)

His pediatrician is awesome regarding our choices. He has never made us feel dumb or like horrible parents. He only sympathized with us about having to make tough choices that all parents have to make.

He never brought up vaccination when we took Koen in for rota. One of the nurses on the otherhand did, and had no rebuttal what-so-ever when we explained that this started with a vaccinated child.

Our pediatrician even told us that in school they don't spend very much time on vaccination. I admire him for that honesty.

I'm going to remember that line, "We are here for _________ today. Thank you for your concern, though."

 Quote: Michael_Wise

His pediatrician is awesome regarding our choices. He has never made us feel dumb or like horrible parents. He only sympathized with us about having to make tough choices that all parents have to make.

Sounds like you have good'un...

Do you guys have buy-in from your partners about going a low-vaccine route? I'm assuming yes....

As a hospital working nurse, we are forced to ask every patient who comes in if they have had/ want the flu/ pneumonia vaccines while they're with us. So many patients just agree to whatever is recommended, so I either ignore the protocol and don't ask, or do ask but in a very nonchalant way. Perhaps someday I'll be "talked to" about it, but I don't think it's necessary for most of the people I see to get these vaccines! Of course they should have the choice, I suppose, but it disgusts me, personally. And like I said, so many people are uninformed, it's just not right.

Yay for you for standing up for yourself!!! Sad that you have to...

Just a quick note to mildly defend the physician's mindset.
Remember that all these vaccinations are now recommended by the CDC ( http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/rr/rr5515.pdf ). And if those are not given by a parents request, and if the child ends up with that illnesses and something bad happens, the physician would end up liable and be sued, even if the parent signed a wavier ( the classic defense used by malpractice attorneys when a wavier was signed is " my client didn't understand what they were signing" ).

So the legal risk to a physician is high when they have a practice with non- immunized patients in it, hence their strong desire to go with the published recommendations of the CDC.
Plus, it's considered the "community standard" of care, and when you drop below that for any reason, including the patient's own request, it makes it very easy to lose a malpractice suit.

Just a general FYI there.....

Yep. "I just adhered to the standard" or "I just followed my training" is really the only defense against lawsuits.