The decision a family makes about vaccinations is a difficult and personal one and the right answer is the answer that makes the most sense to the ones making the decision.  Therefore it is very important that the decision to vaccinate is made based on good information and facts.

There is bountiful information about vaccinations on the internet, in magazines and in books.  The information available on vaccinations can be confusing and overwhelming, 

and tends to be extremely one-sided.  Either,  opinions state that vaccinations are safe and the risks outweigh the consequences of the disease and that choosing not to vaccinate not only puts your children at risk but puts all children at risk for illness; or that no vaccinations are safe, should be avoided completely, and the side effects are more dangerous than the disease.  Most of the information provided is not false, frequently inflammatory but not false. Statistics and quotes can be alarming. 

Unfortunately, there are no easy answers but there are good questions you can ask to help decision making a little easier.  

1. Be familiar with the diseases that are being vaccinated

· How are they contracted?

· How prevalent are they in our society?

· What is the treatment? How easily is the disease treated?

· Who does the disease infect? What age group?

2. Why are we vaccinating for these diseases?

· Are they deadly, deforming, debilitating, or inconvenient?

3. What are the side effects, adverse reactions and risks associated with each vaccination?

4. What exposures will your infant/children face?

· Is there exposure to siblings who are in school or daycare?

· Will the infant/children be home or at daycare?

The CDC (www.cdc.gov)   provides printable versions of vaccination schedules for infants, children and adults that list all available and recommended vaccinations. 

Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System ( http://vaers.hhs.gov/) reports all adverse reactions to vaccinations as reported by physicians and healthcare providers.

It is important to keep communication open with your pediatrician or family healthcare provider.  If vaccinations are a concern for you and your family then your healthcare provider can be a valuable source of information.  If your healthcare provider is not willing to discuss vaccination options with you, you may want to consider finding a provider who will.

This article was written by Dr Denise Grobe, Naturopathic Physician for the Center for True Harmony Wellness and Medicine.