Would You Vaccinate Your Child if You Knew All These Facts?
New York, New York (PRWEB) August 19, 2013 -- When researching the latest news about vaccinating children, parents will undoubtedly find a lot of conflicting information, especially within the “green” community. One argument states that we are better off vaccinating our kids. The other side claims that childhood immunization is wrong and unnecessary. An increasing number of parents are deciding not to vaccinate their child or to delay the immunization shots. So what should parents do about vaccinations? This comprehensive parent’s guide provides important facts to consider when deciding on whether or not to vaccinate a child.
Every day parents make decisions for their children by asking themselves: Will the benefits of our decision outweigh the risks? This is a good question to ask when it comes to vaccinating children. It’s imperative to obtain an objective perspective on the most important aspects to be considered when doing own vaccine benefit/risk evaluation.
This vaccination checklist will guide parents through the following areas:
• Benefits of vaccines
• Vaccine side effects
• False claims related to the use of vaccines
• Vaccinations and being green
• Tips for parents about vaccines
Read the full-length article: http://www.livinggreenwithbaby.com/parents-guide-to-children-vaccinations/
Living Green with Baby also provides an easy-to-understand infographic with some fundamentals parents should be aware of:
How do the risks of childhood immunization compare to the risks of everyday life?
- 1 in one million vaccinated children experiences serious side effects
- 1 in five thousand children gets injured from a falling TV
- The amount of aluminum added to a vaccine is comparable to the amount found in one liter of infant formula.
What are the risks if I don't vaccinate my child?
- Children without the diphtheria vaccine (DTaP) are 4 times more likely to suffer from the disease.
- Children without the pertussis vaccine (DTaP) are 8 times more likely to suffer from the disease.
- Children without the measles vaccine (MMR) are 35 times more likely to contract the disease.
Tips for parents: stay informed about vaccines:
• Take a look at the Vaccine Information Statements for each vaccine. They provide information on benefits, risks, who should avoid each vaccine and a lot of other good information.
• Do some research through the CDC and other watchdog organizations about the latest vaccines, since the formulations and vaccines routinely change.
• Check the conditions under which a patient shouldn’t take a given vaccine and tell your doctor if you have any concerns.
• Tell the doctor about any current illness or medical conditions. Some vaccines are postponed if patients have moderate or severe illness.
• Be wary of info available through social media and unestablished websites. A lot of it is incorrect.
• After giving a vaccine to a child, look for anything unusual such as fever or unusual behavior. Signs of a serious allergic reaction may include difficulty breathing, wheezing, hives, weakness, dizziness, paleness, or accelerated heart beat. If such signs are present contact a doctor immediately.
• Use Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) to learn of or report side effects of using vaccines
• When informed about a side effect ask a question: Does the claimed side effect rely on scientific data? And someone saying so is not enough: Verify the scientific evidence yourself. Not only whether it truly exists but also whether it's based upon a reputable source (there are even fake “scientific journals,” so beware), whether it has been independently reproduced and validated, and whether there is agreement among experts.
So, do the benefits of vaccinating a child outweigh the risks? For the majority of vaccines available the answer is a resounding yes. But this is not necessarily true for all vaccines available and all situations. Parents should evaluate the benefits and risks of each vaccine separately, according to the most up-to-date data and each individual case. Additionally, it is wise to stay on top of the latest news from the health watchdog organizations.
How do you feel about vaccines?
Read the full-length article: http://www.livinggreenwithbaby.com/parents-guide-to-children-vaccinations/
About Living Green with Baby:
Living Green with Baby is a new series of food, travel, home design and lifestyle content designed to inspire parents of new babies, toddlers and older children to encourage healthy, environmentally sustainable habits at an early age.
Katka Konecna, Living Green with Baby, http://www.livinggreenwithbaby.com, +1 9179298497, [email protected]
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