[mandana]

Originally Posted by mercyteapot

In post #85, my post is quoted by you. That means you were posting to me, or at least that you should have known I would assume you were addressing me directly. Otherwise, why on earth pull my post into it at all??? Again, with the right there in black and white for all to see.... And yes, the issue is fuzzy, but it certainly doesn't become less so when people claim that statements were made that were never made (as in when you claimed that I said the vaccine question is a tenet of CAN), or purport that this organization or the other has taken a stand that they haven't, in fact, taken. And the few parents that I have known who have foregone vaccinating their children completely, did not make the decision based on inflammatory or emotional 'observations'. They have either witnessed their child's deterioration after the first dose of the MMR, or have an older child with autism that they feel was caused by a vaccination. Disagreeing with them is fine, but assuming that these people didn't think long and hard about their choice is an outright fallacy. Many others have chosen to separate out the vaccinations, and have their child receive each shot individually, usually at their own expense, since insurance will only cover the 'package' deal. Are these parents also making their decisions based on the 'inflammatory, emotional observations' or do they pass your litmus test for being capable of making rational, well informed decisions?

OK, here's my last post on the subject, and I'm only going here because I want you to know that I wasn't quoting you when I said the bit about it not seeming to be a tenet that they hold dear. It was a statement meant to clarify that while they might not dismiss 100% the connection, it certainly isn't something that is on their front page with a big flashing arrow. I was NOT quoting you, and this is evident because there are no quotation marks nor did I directly quote that from you like I did above. In no way, shape or form did I intend to give the impression that I was quoting you. I was, however, arguing with you.

We can go back and forth on the other matter until we're both blue, which I have zero intention of doing. I said it the way I see it, you said it the way you see it. And you're right, it's all in black and white. Once again, I'm not an expert. It's only an opinion.

Amanda

[jeepgirl]

This is my last post on this subject. I would much rather prevent my child from getting a disease that would most likely harm him or her or might even kill him or her RATHER than not do it out of fear because of a "risk" that hasn't been adequately proven. All I can say for now is that you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink. And you can tell a parent that they are possibly risking their childs life, but you can't make them listen. I guess the same can be said from the point of not wanting to vaccinate. However, from my viewpoint (which can be reversable) - each parent has his or her own choices to make, and if that choice effects their child negatively, then that parent has to live with it.

[mercyteapot]

Well, given that posters are dropping like flies, announcing that they're leaving the thread, I may just be talking to myself here. But, what the heck, it sure isn't the first time! While there are indeed 'hardliner' parents who believe their children shouldn't be vaccinated against anything, no matter what, there are many more who just want to find that middle ground. How can you determine the minimum dose a child needs to be protected, and adminster that dose in the safest way possible? Vaccination 'hardliners' who advocate that all children should be given the doses according to the recommended schedule, with no consideration given to those children who 'may' be part of the 'small' subset of kids who 'may' react negatively to vaccines are no more a part of that elusive middle ground than the rabid anti-vaccination crowd.

[wincha]

I think you need to make an informed decision. That is those with children who are the autism spectrum do make sure their children either do not get any more vaccinations especially if they saw a regressive change after vaccinating, and or wait until they are older to vaccinate(they do this with their other younger children) and of course make sure the vaccinations are mercury free. Also there are nurses and doctors out there that do not agree that the chicken pox vaccine is necessary and if they can find a way to hold off on this at least give the children a chance to get the disease itself and if not vaccinate at a certian age where if the child got the disease at an older age it would be more serious ie after 10 or 12. There is more here than you have to or I just wont' get my child vaccinated. Most peds do not go into that much detail about the side effects(I'm not talking about the basic fussy, fever side effects either)