More parents are choosing to delay or skip vaccines for their children because of safety concerns. According to a national survey, more than 10% of parents are not following the recommended vaccine schedule or skipping vaccines completely. There are a lot of unanswered questions about the safety of vaccines, and the vaccine-autism debate is still on-going.
There is no doubt that vaccines may cause serious side effects in some children. There may also be a link between vaccines and learning disabilities, as well as autism. Some parents already hold the vaccine industry responsible for the development of autism in their children. They are questioning the number of vaccines being given to babies and toddlers, and they believe that some of the vaccines are unnecessary.
Researchers fear that skipping vaccines could lead to outbreaks of vaccine preventable illnesses in the future. Additionally, most pediatricians and other doctors assert that vaccines are safe, effective, and unrelated to the autism epidemic. They are urging parents not to delay or skip vaccines.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that pediatricians continue to work with parents who decide to delay or skip some of the vaccines; if doctors pressure parents to follow the vaccine schedule they are likely to lose those families.
The fact that the Supreme Court granted pharmaceutical companies liability protection from vaccine injuries that result from government mandated vaccines did not help the situation. In fact, it may have caused more parents to skip or delay vaccines fearing they have no recourse if their child is harmed by vaccines.
The debate about the safety and necessity of vaccines is likely to continue for years to come. Parents have the responsibility of making the choice that they believe is best for their children. The choice is not always easy.
Comments