Last week, my little one had his routine checkup, and it was pretty uneventful. After addressing a minor issue with a dry patch on his toes—just a case of sweaty boy feet—our wonderful nurse came in with his vaccinations. He barely flinched during the first shot, cried a bit with the second, but soon settled down with some comforting cuddles. Nothing too dramatic, right?
When I got home, I shared a sweet photo on my public Instagram account, captioning it with: “Today’s well-baby checkup was a success! He’s right on track for height and weight and has a big brain to match that big head! Poor guy clung to me during the shots, but I always tell the kids it hurts just for a moment, and it protects them from serious germs. I’ll explain herd immunity to them later. #parenting #vaccination #momlife #momblogger #letthembelittle”
I was shocked by the reaction I received. I should have anticipated that using “#vaccination” would invite some backlash, but the comments were intense. Some people suggested his head size hinted at autism (seriously?!), questioned the validity of herd immunity, and expressed concerns over the “toxins” in the vaccines I had just allowed into his body. I mean, what was I supposed to do at that point? The shots were already given! The claim about his head swelling from the vaccines made me roll my eyes—my kids have had large heads since birth, and I can assure you they do not have hydrocephalus.
I was genuinely excited about the vaccines. I thought, “Yay, my child is protected from mumps!” Yet, some were telling me I had just made a terrible mistake.
How did we arrive at a place where complete strangers feel entitled to criticize a mother making informed, scientifically-backed decisions for her children? Several comments echoed the same refrain: “Do your research.”
Do they think I haven’t? Do they think my doctor, who has devoted years to her medical career, hasn’t either? She’s a mother too, with kids similar in age to mine. Would she risk her own children with something dangerous? I highly doubt it.
Let’s rewind a moment. I want to be open about something: I had my doubts about vaccines for a short period. There, I said it! I think it’s healthy to question what you hear. If something concerns you, you should absolutely conduct your own research and consider information from various sources.
During college, I opted out of the H1N1 vaccine, along with some classmates, because we were anxious about side effects that we read about online. The school presented it as a new, urgent vaccine, and it made me uneasy. After a few months, when I saw my peers weren’t turning into zombies, I did some rational research and ultimately decided to get vaccinated. I was studying in a medical field, after all, and it was necessary to protect vulnerable populations.
Before having my first child, I came across vaccine-related information that was quite alarming. Lists of potential side effects and preservatives used in vaccines were everywhere. The sheer number of shots that children receive before kindergarten was surprising, prompting me to dig deeper before having our daughter. I explored studies and articles from both sides and compared the levels of “harmful” preservatives in vaccines to those found in common foods (did you know a pear contains more formaldehyde than a flu shot? Over 600 times more!).
In the end, I chose to vaccinate my children.
I don’t always remember to get my flu shot, but that’s not a statement against vaccinations—it’s just me being forgetful.
Now, let me explain why I vaccinate my kids: It’s not merely about preventing a cold. It’s about protecting them from serious diseases such as polio, measles, diphtheria, and rubella. Could they potentially fight these infections on their own? Maybe. But they could also face severe complications, such as brain infections or paralysis. I’d rather they endure a little discomfort from a shot than rush them to the ER due to a preventable disease.
Another crucial reason for vaccinating is to protect those who cannot. I used to work with a young girl who couldn’t receive vaccinations due to her medical condition. Before you say, “Well, if she can’t handle them, why should anyone?” understand this: her body struggled with many things, including food. There are valid medical reasons that prevent some individuals from getting vaccinated—cancer, genetic disorders, and immune deficiencies, to name a few. My family can tolerate these vaccines with minimal reactions, helping to build a community of immunity for those who can’t.
I’m not worried about the preservatives. Our bodies are equipped to filter substances. Vaccines require preservatives to remain viable from the lab to the clinic. Your doctor will not be administering a fresh batch of mumps in a petri dish for you to receive a “preservative-free” shot.
To those who are hesitant about vaccinations: I won’t belittle you. I’ve experienced the disrespect for my choices, and I won’t reciprocate.
If you’re vaccine-wary, I understand your concerns. You’ve likely encountered information that raises alarms. It’s a tough journey, and as parents, we aim to make decisions that will affect our children’s lives forever. The guilt from making a “wrong” choice can be overwhelming.
I hope you can expand your research beyond sources that propagate fear. There’s a lot of misinformation out there that is easy to stumble upon. Remember, correlation does not equal causation. Be discerning in your findings. If the CDC makes you uneasy because it’s a government source, check out what the World Health Organization has to say. Consult with your doctor or nurse, but keep an open mind. Share your concerns with them and discuss your hesitations about vaccinations.
Let me be blunt: In the not-so-distant past, countless parents lost their children to diseases we can now prevent. Think about that. Thousands of children died. Families mourned the loss of their beloved kids. Rubella outbreaks led to thousands of miscarriages annually. Children suffered blindness, deafness, and paralysis from these illnesses. We are so insulated by modern medicine that we forget how devastating these diseases can be.
I’m not saying any of this to change your mind, but I hope it encourages you to think critically about vaccinations.
When I vaccinate, it’s not just for my children; it’s for yours as well. Nothing anyone says will make me feel guilty about this choice.
So please, don’t tell me to “do my research.” I have. Extensively. I hope you will too.
In conclusion, making decisions about vaccinations is a personal and often challenging journey for parents. It’s essential to rely on credible resources, and if you’re interested in further exploring this topic, you can check out this blog post for insights on family health.
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