It’s time to get serious: vaccinate your children. Yes, I mean it. I’m tired of hearing misinformed opinions that jeopardize public health and invite diseases that we should have eradicated long ago. Take measles, for instance. In recent years, the United States has seen alarming spikes in cases—with 70 reported last year, 188 the year before, and a staggering 667 in 2014. And guess what? The majority of those affected were unvaccinated.
The MMR vaccine doesn’t just shield your child from measles; it also protects against mumps and rubella. Mumps, which can be painful and affects the salivary glands, is making a comeback—in January, Colorado reported 24 of the 26 cases in the Denver area. Washington State is also seeing rising numbers.
The CDC reported nearly 20,000 cases of whooping cough (pertussis) in 2015. Those numbers likely underestimate the reality since many cases go unreported. Infants under three months are particularly vulnerable; in fact, 1,970 of those cases were in children under six months old. Tragically, six people died that year, including three infants under one year old—all due to the refusal to vaccinate. And by “refusal,” I mean those same kids you’re responsible for.
Let’s Tackle Some Common Myths
First, don’t tell me aluminum in vaccines will cause Alzheimer’s. According to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), the aluminum content in vaccines is comparable to what’s found in a liter of infant formula. If you’re proud of breastfeeding, remember that breastfed infants also ingest aluminum—7 milligrams in their first six months, compared to 4.4 mg from vaccines. You’re not worried about your milk causing serious health issues, so why worry about vaccines?
And formaldehyde? It’s actually less concentrated in vaccines than in your child’s body—five times less, to be exact. CHOP emphasizes that formaldehyde is essential for human metabolism, and the quantity in vaccines is too low to harm your child.
Now, let’s talk about the number of vaccines. Don’t claim we’re giving too many at once. Three decades ago, we vaccinated against eight diseases with over 3,000 viral and bacterial proteins. Today, we protect against 14 diseases using just 150 immunological components. So, your child is actually exposed to fewer antigens than you were as a kid.
And let’s not forget herd immunity. When enough people are vaccinated, diseases can disappear altogether. This collective immunity protects those who can’t be vaccinated—like newborns, pregnant individuals, and those with compromised immune systems. By not vaccinating your child, you put others at risk, including the very young and the elderly.
You may think your choice doesn’t impact anyone else, but that’s simply not true. Sure, you can make medical decisions for your child, but those decisions have consequences for the entire community. I understand your fears about side effects; however, the benefits of vaccinating far outweigh the risks. My own kids hate getting shots, but I remind them that they’re heroes for protecting not just themselves but everyone around them.
Don’t say vaccines didn’t eliminate polio, smallpox, or diphtheria. Sanitation and medication play a role, but they won’t eradicate diseases. Only when a significant portion of the population is immune can we truly eliminate these threats.
So, please, just vaccinate. Yes, your child will cry; yes, you’ll worry about side effects. But it’s almost guaranteed they’ll only experience a mild fever. My child was one of the rare ones who had a measles-like rash after the MMR vaccine, yet we still completed their immunizations. Because immunization is not just about your child; it’s about community health. You owe it to the vulnerable around you to do your part.
For more information about health and wellness, check out this blog post. And if you’re looking to boost fertility, Make a Mom is a great resource. Another excellent site is IVF Babble for all things pregnancy and home insemination.
In summary, vaccinating your kids is not just a personal choice; it’s a responsibility to protect your community. The benefits far outweigh the minor discomforts. Let’s work together to keep our children and all those around them safe.