Anti-vax nurses? Are you serious?

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We were discussing the Disneryland measles outbreak at work, and I was appalled to find some of my co-workers refuse to vaccinate their kids. They (grudgingly) receive the vaccines they need to remain employed, but doubt their safety/necessity for their kids.

I must say, I am absolutley stunned. How can one be a nurse and deny science?

As a nurse, you should darn well know what the scientific method entails and what phrases such as "evidence based" and "peer reviewed" mean.

I have to say, I have lost most of my respect for the nurses and mistrust their judgement; after all, if they deny science, on what premise are they basing their practices?

It is so irresponsible when the media presents "both sides" in cases where there is no other side. When they do that the wackos get equal time and it send a message that there IS a debate when there isn't.

BBC Network recently adopted a similar position when it comes to discussing climate change. They're no longer willing to give equal air time to people who don't believe in it. I think it should be the same way for vaccines. Good point.

Specializes in critical care.
It is so irresponsible when the media presents "both sides" in cases where there is no other side. When they do that the wackos get equal time and it send a message that there IS a debate when there isn't.

Okay, another video. John Oliver needs to do a piece exactly like this on the vaccination "debate".

Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Climate Change Debate HBO - YouTube

Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.
Okay, another video. John Oliver needs to do a piece exactly like this on the vaccination "debate".

Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Climate Change Debate HBO - YouTube

Jon Stewart did a couple weeks ago. It was actually just a rant, though, rather than a debate.

Specializes in Pediatrics, High-Risk L&D, Antepartum, L.
To me, as a person who had measles and felt like death, I feel that the antivaccine movement is like having an anti-car seat movement. There is much evidence to show the benefits of vaccines as there is for child car seats. Avoiding vaccines because of the very rare, but realistic complications (Gulliane-Barre or anaphylaxis) is analogous to not using a car seat because your kid may not get out in time if the vehicle burns. The evidence says the benefits far outweigh the risks. As far as autism, there just isn't any evidence of a link, only emotion. I am not minimizing having an autistic child. It must be devastating. It would be terrible for other kids to suffer disability or even death due to a fear not supported by fact.

You can certainly choose not to vaccinate. However, you have no right to put others at risk. In PA, we have cyber school. If you do not want vaccines for your kids out of choice, there is your alternative. Personally, I will put my trust in someone like Dr. Paul Offut and leave Jennie McCarthy to posing naked and Dr. Wakefield to taking his place in history as a fraud. For those Catholics who link the rubella vaccine to aborted fetuses, you are correct. However, many prominent theologans, still support vaccination for the benefits it offers. http://www.immunize.org/concerns/furtonarticle.pdf

On the catholic note...the church actually addressed this issue and states that vaccination is okay. So in reality the aborted fetal tissue and religion doesn't work if you are catholic. You can say morally you aren't okay with it...but being catholic doesn't work.

And I say this as a catholic who believes in vaccine choice...using religion only works if the religion is on your side and in this case it isn't.

Specializes in hospice.
Yes, please don't hang the children. It's not very nice and according to my experiences watching the walking dead, it's utterly heartbreaking having to take them down a second time after they reanimate.

Come on, I already apologized for the DYAC.

Specializes in hospice.
BBC Network recently adopted a similar position when it comes to discussing climate change. They're no longer willing to give equal air time to people who don't believe in it. I think it should be the same way for vaccines. Good point.

Yeah, that's valid. :rolleyes:

Climate change: this is the worst scientific scandal of our generation - Telegraph

Specializes in critical care.
Come on, I already apologized for the DYAC.

Giggle a little. It's fun!

Specializes in hospice.
Giggle a little. It's fun!

I do every time I see your profile pic. Gotta love Frank N. Furter!

Specializes in Emergency.
I do every time I see your profile pic. Gotta love Frank N. Furter!

Anti-vax nurses make me think:

It's astounding, time is fleeting, madness takes its toll....

Specializes in Emergency; med-surg; mat-child.

You're so hot when you talk all science-y.

Can you post the url for that graphic? I'd love to share it.

Specializes in Emergency; med-surg; mat-child.

What people REALLY need to research is the dangers of dihydrogen monoxide. This stuff kills millions, and EVERYONE is exposed to it *every day*. The government even recommends we ingest it intentionally!

Dihydrogen Monoxide Research Division - dihydrogen monoxide info

Specializes in Emergency; med-surg; mat-child.

Right? I'm not entirely clear on how one can die of complications of a disease if they didn't have the disease in the first place. So by this logic, if a patient on coumadin hemorrhages because of an elevated INR, taking coumadin wasn't the problem?

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