Our 5 year old has received several of her scheduled vaccinations, but not all. With each shot, I prayed that God would protect her and keep her from any harmful side affects. I felt so confused and conflicted over the issue. I didn't know anything about immunizations, other than I had had some when I was born - though not nearly the amount being scheduled now. Her Dr. pushed the vaccines whenever we went in for her checkups, and family members and friends made me feel like I was harming my daughter for even questioning whether or not to vaccinate her.
I remember one visit where she received 4 shots. I was a nervous wreck and prayed she would be safe. Thankfully, she was fine and didn't seem to have any side effects from the multiple shots. That was the last time she had immunization shots.
The past couple months I've been trying to be more proactive in reading about the immunizations. Honestly, I'm more confused and conflicted now than I was as an ignorant first-time father.
One couple we know are very anti-immunization. Their daughter almost died from an allergic reaction to a DTaP or MMR shot. One the other hand, my neice is a nurse who works in maternity or labor and delivery at the hospital. She's mostly for immunizations, as is her mother (my sister).
Some websites I've been looking at:
John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
This website has a lot of information on the components/ingredients of vaccines. They also have information on Thimersol, which they claim has mostly been removed from all current vaccines. Of course, there are still the formaldehyde, aluminum, bovine and aborted fetal extracts which are still in the vaccines. Another helpful part of this website, is they have .pdf's of the vaccine package inserts, so you can read all the fine print with each vaccine.
"Growing Up Vaccinated"
Interesting read from someone who received vaccinations, and is living with some side effects. Her mother was a nurse and husband went to medical school. She has a background in law and political science and looks at the politics behind Big Pharma and the government. They did not vaccinate their children.
She wrote another article
HERE in which she gives her opinion on God and vaccines -- she says God doesn't approve. There are some good points in the article A disturbing detail is when she goes writes about the aborted fetal extracts used in vaccinations.
The more I read, the more I am leaning against vaccinations. My wife, however, seems to be leaning more for vaccinations.