From the moment you choose to bring a new life into the world you make a commitment to keep that person safe. You read the pregnancy books, you child-proof your home and to the best of your ability give them everything they need to thrive. After all it is your responsibility as a parent.
It is also your responsibility to make healthcare choices for your child. To not merely follow the advice of your medical team but to make an informed decision for YOURSELF.
To vaccinate or not to vaccinate?
I am always surprised when I hear parents say they didn't realise they had a choice in whether to vaccinate or not - and then I remember, with my first child, I was that parent.
You DO have a choice!
It is all too easy nowadays to blindly trust the opinions of medical professionals, friends or family. Essentially to take the easy option, almost resolving yourself of your parental responsibility.
It is instilled into us from an early age to trust our medical system. 'Trust me, I'm a doctor' has become a common catchphase. When your child's future is at stake however, sometimes that trust is not enough.
I would never suggest that your family doctor would intentionally harm a patient. I would however question how much that doctor has researched themselves and actually knows about the vaccines they administer vs how much they have trusted from their medical school education.
In my opinion, a truely responsible parent would research every option available, as though a life depends on it - because it just might.
What if it's the wrong decision?
This is why as a parent or guardian you need to be 100% sure of your choice. You and only you will be responsible for this decision - and this is true of whether you choose to vaccinate or not. Allow me to explain further...
If, for arguments sake, you chose not to vaccinate your child and he/she contracted measles, for example. Who is responsible (assuming an effective vaccine is available to protect from this)?
You are - obviously.
Now what if you chose to vaccinate your child and he/she became vaccine injured. Who is responsible? YOU are.
You will need to care for your child and live with that decision for the rest of your life.
I'm not trying to persuade either way here. I have made a decision on behalf of my own children and I am completely at ease with that.
From one parent to another;
Realise you have a choice.
Take responsibility as a parent.
Research enough to be 100% confident in your decision.