To vaccinate or not vaccinate:

You need to get your child vaccinated. Even though many of the diseases that they get vaccinated against are rrare, you don't want to your child to suffer from something you could have prevented. Many children die each each from diseases that they could have been vaccinated against. If you ever want your child in daycare or even when they are school age, they have to be vaccinated. The government will help you pay for the shot if you bring them to a state run clinic. Many organization have monthly clinics set up where they vaccinate for free or for a low cost. In our area they have one every weekend at a different location.

It's compulsory for all babies to be vaccinated here. It's definitely beneficial to vaccinate against any harmful/deadly diseases if the vaccines are available. Not all countries can afford to have vaccinations, especially the third world. Thus there is always a risk when your child need to travel in future. Morever, tuberculosis, polio and hep A/B viruses are still active in the world. Prevention is better than cure so it's advisable to go for it.

Well, when its time for your baby to go to school, most places require vaccinations. I don't know what state you live in, but it's something you'll want to look into to.

I believe all kids should get their vaccinations, and as many have said most schools/playgroups etc won't take children that haven't been. Here in Aust. the vaccinations are free if you go to a clinic (paid - and subsidised if you go to your doctor) It's not common for a child to show any symptoms after having their shots, though they do suggest you don't get them if your child is ill at the time (has a cold etc) It's been awhile since my kids were babies but I think your count is a little off - many are combined (along with some are a medicine rather than a needle) I think they may have three lots vaccinations before they're about 18 months old (and again it's been awhile and my memory isnt as good as it used to be) then another before they start school - then a couple during their school years.

hello my dear frn...don't think much...just vaccinate!

i have two kids and all of them had a vaccination.. I believe in vaccine..

I have 7 kids and all had their shots. I had only one child react to any of them so we had to change what was given. You have to weigh up whether a small risk of reaction compared to the long term risk of getting something that may or may not mame or even kill.

most of the vaccinatios are against life threatening diseases and it would be a gr8 mistake if u dont get ur child vaccinated,that means ur child will not be immunized and remain vulnerable to a number of diseases. most of these diseases are of viral nature and thats y they can remain in environment for a long time and can become infective getting into hosts body.make it sure that u get all the vaccinations done.trust me i m a postgraduate student of biotechnology and understand the basics of all this vaccination procedures.

whats there to think about? vacinations protect our children

vaccination is veryimportant thing that helps us to protect from diseases. of course it is must for small babies to vaccinate so that the can fight out with germs. the governmaetis also supplying some vaccines for small babies with out taking money fromthe people. the babies can with stand themselves from getting diseases.

I believe it is not only right of you, but it is your RESPONSIBILITY as a parent to make sure your child is vaccinated against the diseases that can be vaccinted against. You may not remember, but many of these diseases, like small pox, measles, mumps, rubella, etc etc killed people at one time. Is that a chance you really want to take with your daughter?

Let me tell you about my son. When he was a little over 1 yr. old, he had a severe cold problem, other than that he was ok. We took him to the hospital and the doctors decided to confine him. We agreed. The following day he was released but to our surprise, to problem became worse, the temp started rising and he refused to move. We took him back to the hospital only to find out that the first time we took him, he contacted polio from a child in the same ward with an undiagnosed case. He wasn't vaccinated at that time. So don't take the risk. Vaccination is not such a terrible option.

I don't agree with you at all. You yourself made the statement if everyone gets vaccinated then how can anyone get infected. You're right, but that would require absolutely 100% of the people to get vaccinated. Which is really not the case. Even in recent years there have been outbreaks of measles and mumps. You are putting the weakened viruses into your baby to prevent tragic illness later on. Anyone who is not vaccinated is at risk for getting these diseases. Plus, I don't know where you are, but herein the US the schools require the vaccines. So you're just going to end up getting them anyway unless you plan to homeschool. Sure there are many more vaccines these days than before, but this is a positive thing! Your baby will not have to experience even chicken pox which we experienced, and even chicken pox has risks! For your child's sake I surely hope you get her vaccinated. In my opinion it is neglectful not to.

Hi, it's very important for your child to get those vaccines. And those illnesses are not rare as mentioned from other posters. Those vaccines are for the most common illnesses your child may acquire. A baby's immune system is not yet fully developed so your child does not have antibodies for those illnesses. Your child is not getting sick from getting a shot. Your baby will likely develop a fever, and your doctor should have told you to give her an antipyretic in the event he will develop a fever, if he did not then it means he did not do his job right it's his responsibility. The fever is a natural response of the body, it means that the baby is developing antibodies from the shot, so that if at any point in time your child encounters the illness his body is already prepared to fight it. That is why vaccines are PREVENTIVE measures to ensure that your child does not acquire them. The reason why we "rarely" see cases nowadays is because of the Health Department's drive to eradicate the cases of said illnesses. And the reason why those child, or people catch the illness is because they were not given protection when they were babies. So people who are vaccinated will not get the disease. A few of those vaccines can only be given within the range of 0-9 months. So if your baby did not receive those shots he can't have them again.Your doctor should have explained those things to you. That is the first thing they should have done. Explained how critical it is for your child to have those shots. If they did explain and you were still unconvinced it means that they were not very good at getting the point across. In our country the vaccines needed for a child 0-12 months old is FREE in government health centers. You should look into your local health department for that. If your child is getting shots from a Private Hospital/Clinic then the government is not liable for that. In the poorest countries where they cannot afford to have vaccines, thousands of babies and children die. I hope it helps. God Bless and I hope your baby is always healthy. P.S. During your mom's time it may be possible that vaccines were not developed yet to fight the diseases or that vaccination was not emphasized.

I can't believe parents ask this question in this day and age. Of course you should vaccinate your children. We're not currently at risk for small pox and measles, but, quickly will be if people to think they don't need to vaccinate their children. You should do some research, the medical community recommends vaccinations.

it's vital to give babies their vaccines...i've never done the research on it and i can't give you a scientific reason why but you have to understand....not EVERYONE is vaccinated, animals arent, some humans arent...what if you dont vaccinate and you get your daughters friends really sick...vaccination is totally needed and im sure if you had the right type of insurance it would be free...besides, neglecting to vaccinate and neglecting to support your childs body in anyway is illegal...if you decide to raise your child on a vegan or vegetarian diet they can and will be taken away from you. seriously, when a child is at risk, stick to the old school way...seriously.

I was the same way you are with our first baby. But the liklihood of your baby getting sick from the shots are slim, if she does get sick it will probably be just a slight fever and then she'll be fine. But if you don't vaccinate her, she could get very serious diseases that could kill her. There's alot of diseases that are still active and if everyone stopped vaccinating we would see the diseases come back again in the US. Third World countries have terrible problems. Also the shots are mandatory for her to enter school, so she would have to get them all then anyway and that would be hard on a 5 or 6 yr old. I agree, the government should give the shots free, but they don't unless you have a medical card. Your local health department should be able to give her the shots at a reduced cost to you.

I'd honestly hold-off... i got scared after my youngest son seemed to develop autism (possibly) after birth. I'd do some investigating if i were you... if in doubt, don't.

I have received all the vaccinations already. That way I remain immune to diseases. I receive the flu shot once per year also. After all the tests everything's normal and within limits. I had chicken pox when I was thirteen.

vaccination for babies is important.. it boosts their immune system. i have a niece who completed all her vaccinations and she rarely contacted a disease.. protect your child!!