Christmas

Tuesday, February 3, 2015

Where Do YOU Stand?

Every time I watch the news or read a feed online, I hear about this measles epidemic. I had both the measles and German measles when I was young. So did my husband. So, we’re immune to the virus. My kids were all given the MMR shots as part of their immunization process. My little grands were also inoculated. None of us is at risk, so why do I let myself be concerned? I think it’s because it annoys me that people allow the spread of the disease to go on. I want to scream, “Get vaccinated and get your kids vaccinated.”

Yes, I know, that’s just my opinion, but I’m sticking to it. Those parents who refuse the immunizations are what I like to call ‘wrong!’  The whole issue of the safety of the vaccine has been debunked over and over by experts. So what makes these parents think they know better? The research has proven that the serum cannot cause autism. I remember my daughter doing a paper on it in college, and she looked at the issue from both sides. Research won out, though.

When I was a principal, it was mandatory that children be vaccinated or they couldn’t be enrolled. One family tried to fight me on it, citing examples of the serum coming from aborted fetuses. The pope himself decreed that this was false, but the family kept pushing. They went over my head to the pastor who came to see me about it. I wouldn’t budge, though, and he accepted my decision. The family called the diocese and were rebuffed by them as well. They smeared my name all over, even putting an article in the paper about unfair it was. I stood my ground – get vaccinated or do not enroll. They ended up going to the local public school and claimed religious belief for an exemption.

Measles can be a serious illness. I only remember being sequestered in my room and given treats, but I know I was covered head to toe with a rash and I was feverish and tired. I know that if the disease gets really bad, children – and adults – can even die from it. That’s why I just can’t understand when parents won’t get their child vaccinated!

Our illustrious governor (tongue firmly planted in cheek,) said he believes that parents should have the right to choose. It’s true I despise that arrogant bully, but this time he went too far. By condoning this practice, he opened the door for still more people to refuse the vaccine. It scares me to think of how many parents were influenced by his statement.

So, where do you stand? Should it be a rule that all children and many adults get immunized? Or, do you believe that parents should have the right to refuse it for their children? I’d like to hear opinions.

Peace,

Muff

11 comments:

  1. I am darn set in my opinion on this myself. If a child does not have legitimate medical condition that makes it unsafe to be vaccinated (not parents opinions based on Pseudo-science) they should be vaccinated.

    Just one more example how many individuals think it is all about them all the time with no consideration of others.

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  2. HI MUFF - I am all for mandatory vaccinations. And consequences for those who do not comply - if parents refuse to safe-guard their kids (and others) by vaccinating then they can home school them. I too ad the measles as a kid and I recall my Mom hair to cut off my braids because my hair got so knotted from being in bed for so long. I think she kept those braids for years.
    All my kids were vaccinated as advised.
    Love Gail
    peace.....

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  3. i believe all children should have all vaccinations. if the parents don't comply, the children should not be allowed to attend public schools. period.

    and on another, completely unrelated topic but one that gets my goat......if you want to live in the u.s., learn to speak english. i don't really feel like we should have to pay for portable translators or pay to teach peeps how to speak spanish. if you want to live here, learn the language!!!

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  4. I think that children should be vaccinated for life threatening illnesses. Measles falls into this category, whereas chicken pox does not. But, I do believe it's the parent's right to choose, not the government's.

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  5. The stupidity of non-vaccination boggles the mind. I honestly don't know how anything moves an inch forward these days because social (and therefore political) interaction has become so contentious. Was it always so and I just wasn't paying attention? We managed to get some monumental things done, like civil rights, so it couldn't have been as bad. I sometimes wonder if this is the natural outcome of the indulged baby boomer generation now reaching maturity. Maybe we were so self centered (and remain so sometimes) that the concept of civility gets shorted.

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  6. I agree with you on this, wholeheartedly. Sometimes I think the US is going backwards instead of forwards.

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  7. I am on the fence teetering back and forth. I have Amish friends who don't vaccinate and their community seems to never be sick. I think if you want to have shots fine and not to hassle others. My Mom did not believe in those shots and kept us kids home the day the county nurse came to give shots. What I am concerned about is mutation. Every law made take a right away. I am still on the fence about this.

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  8. I am blown away by 1.) that family getting a religious exemption when they went to the public school and 2.) your governor's stance on the issue. If you choose to be a part of the public, then you have responsibility for the public welfare. People wanting rights without responsibilities drive me a bit crazy.

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  9. So happy to see you back in the saddle.
    Of anyone who has an opinion about vaccinations, I would respect yours as a former school principal. You were responsible for hundreds of kids. One unvaccinated child could be a risk for countless others.

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  10. Thank you for ALL of your heartfelt opinions. I love reading them, and I think I'll be running some more polls in the near future!!

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  11. Everyone should get them the benefits outweigh the risks:)

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