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By Jessica Lane
March 15, 2023
Last week, my son had his well-baby checkup, and thankfully, it was a pretty uneventful visit. After addressing a minor issue with a scaly patch on his toes (which turned out to be just sweaty feet), our wonderful nurse brought in his vaccinations. He barely flinched for the first shot, cried a bit for the second, and then we shared some comforting snuggles before heading home. Boring, right?
Later, I posted a photo on my public Instagram account, showcasing his little hand grasping my thumb, with the caption:
“This little hand had a well-baby checkup today! He’s right around average for height and weight but scoring high on the head circumference chart! Apparently, my kids just have big brains! He clung to me during the visit, needing two shots, but he handled it well. I always tell them that it hurts for just a moment, but it protects them from serious illnesses. We’ll talk about herd immunity later. #motherhood #momlife #checkup #vaccine #holdinghands #momblogger #indianablogger #letthembelittle #motherandson”
The response to my post was absolutely overwhelming. I anticipated some backlash by including “#vaccine,” but the level of confrontation was astonishing. Some commenters linked his head size to autism (seriously?!), questioned the validity of herd immunity, and expressed concerns about the “toxic chemicals” I supposedly allowed into his body (um, what was I supposed to do at that point? The shots were already given!). One particular comment about his head swelling due to vaccines made me chuckle. My kids have always had large heads—trust me on that.
Here I was, celebrating the fact that my child wouldn’t contract mumps, while others were telling me I had just ruined his life. How did we arrive at a point where strangers online feel entitled to criticize a mother for making informed, scientifically-backed choices for her children?
Many comments echoed the same phrase: “Do your research.”
Do you really think I haven’t? Do you believe my doctor, who has dedicated years to her medical education, hasn’t done her homework? She has children the same age as mine. Would she inject her own kids with something dangerous? Highly doubtful.
Now, let’s rewind a bit. I’ll be honest; I was skeptical about vaccines at one point in my life. There, I said it. It’s perfectly normal to question what one is told. If something raises red flags, it’s wise to dig deeper and research from all angles, verifying anything that appears to be propaganda.
In college, I opted out of the H1N1 vaccine, along with several peers, due to concerns over side effects that we had stumbled upon online. The school rushed the vaccine on us, and I felt uneasy about it. I mean, I saw “I Am Legend”—I knew how that could go! A few months later, seeing that my classmates didn’t turn into zombies, I conducted more balanced research and eventually decided to get vaccinated. As a medical major, it was crucial for me to protect the vulnerable populations I would encounter.
Before welcoming our first child, I encountered a lot of alarming vaccine-related information. The potential side effects and preservatives listed seemed daunting. I even compared the levels of “harmful” preservatives in vaccines to those found in ordinary foods. For instance, did you know that a pear has more formaldehyde than a flu shot—600 times more? I won’t revisit the myths here; others have already done that effectively with linked studies, so feel free to check this out for more info.
To summarize, I chose to vaccinate my children.
While I may forget to get my flu shot sometimes, it’s not an intentional stand against vaccination—just a lapse in memory.
Here’s why I vaccinate my children:
I’m not just protecting them from sniffles; I’m shielding them from serious diseases like polio, measles, diphtheria, and rubella. Yes, their bodies might fend these off, but they could also face severe complications like paralysis, brain infections, or blindness. I’d prefer they endure a little discomfort from a shot rather than risking a trip to the ER due to a preventable illness.
Additionally, we vaccinate for those who cannot. I once worked with a little girl who couldn’t get vaccinated due to her health issues. Before you argue that if she can’t handle it, then no one should, consider that she also struggled with food intake. There are genuine medical reasons—like cancer or genetic disorders—that prevent some individuals from receiving vaccinations. By vaccinating my children, we contribute to herd immunity, protecting those who are vulnerable.
I’m not concerned about preservatives. Our bodies have natural filtration systems to handle these substances. Vaccines need preservatives to remain viable from the lab to your arm. Your doctor won’t be administering a fresh batch of measles from a petri dish just for you to have a “preservative-free” option.
To those hesitating to vaccinate:
I won’t look down on you. The disrespect I received for making my choices was eye-opening and I refuse to mirror that behavior. If you’re vaccine cautious, I understand your fears. You’ve likely encountered scary information and are simply striving to do what’s best for your child. Parenting is complex, and the guilt from making a “wrong” choice can be overwhelming.
I genuinely hope you’ll broaden your research beyond counter-movement groups. There is a lot of misleading information out there, and they make it all too easy to find. Remember, correlation does not imply causation. Be discerning in your research. If the CDC makes you uneasy, check out what the World Health Organization has to say, or consult your doctor or nurse. Approach discussions with an open mind.
To be blunt: Parents in the past lost children to these devastating diseases. Think about that. Thousands of children died due to measles, rubella, and other illnesses. We are blissfully unaware of the realities faced before vaccines. While I don’t expect to change anyone’s mind with these words, I hope they at least plant a seed of consideration.
When I vaccinate, it’s not merely for my children; it’s for yours too. Nothing anyone says will make me feel guilty for this choice.
So please, don’t advise me to “do my research.”
I have. Extensively.
I hope you will too.
Love,
A Mother
Summary: In this heartfelt post, Jessica Lane shares her experience with vaccinating her children and the backlash she received after sharing about it online. She emphasizes the importance of vaccines in preventing serious diseases and protecting those who cannot vaccinate. Jessica encourages open dialogue and thorough research, stressing that her decision to vaccinate is not only for her children but for the broader community.