The notion that the parents of Non-Vaccinated children are stupid, selfish and lazy is absolutely untrue. Most of the people I see and communicate with are intelligent and educated people who hold reasonable concerns for the wellbeing of their family and children.
There are many reasons why people choose not to vaccinate. Some of the concerns expressed in my clinic include:
Adverse reactions, long term complications associated with vaccinations; There may be a history or memory of a negative reaction they had to a vaccination; they want to know more about the additives and other active ingredients used in Vaccines to both stabilize and preserve them, and they desire more support by their GP or health provider when expressing their concerns and fears. GP's and the AMA have some changes to make to prove to these apprehensive parents that what they are choosing to do is safe.
I do not play the devil’s advocate on this issue. It is contentious and emotive. However, the latest remarks from the AMA have only served to segregate children and inflame the issue. A child’s education should not to be used as leverage for the Vaccination debate, and their right to education not held as ransom over the choices that their parents made.
As a professional I do NOT see it my role to persuade people either way. My role is to support where needed and to improve the over-all health and wellbeing of that individual. It is a subject I would prefer their GP’s to manage, but people are turning away. They are seeking more information independently. This needs to be addressed before denying children the opportunity of an education.
The Australian journalist Natasha Bita recently won the prestigious Walkley Award for her article which exposed the Flu Vaccine Scandal in Australia. This is the type of story and incident that has parents questioning the safety of these medicines, especially when it may affect their children. After all, it is not just about the Vaccine, and what it is for. It is about standing by the medicine behind it and the trust in what is said to be ‘safe’.
Melanie Robinson Naturopath BHSc specialises in Women & Children’s health, Contributor to The Natural Parent Magazine & Sacred Pregnancy Magazine.
Port Macquarie News 10/5/13 "Unvaccinated kids are a danger to others: Specialist"
I'd be interested to know how the Port News edited this as I haven't seen the published version. But in my experience, Port News has a tendency to bend the truth or edit for their own benefit or agenda... so wondering how 'edited' your piece was?
ReplyDeleteAs for vaccinations, I chose to vaccinate my children. In my opinion, I will always try to do the best, healthiest thing I can afford to keep my children safe in terms of healthy food and lifestyle. But when it comes to vaccinations, the risks of not vaccinating outweigh the risks of doing it, particularly when there are an increasing number of children who are unvaccinated. But having said all that, a persons choice is their own. And we as parents are charged with making decisions to protect our children the best we know how. Consequently, I do not criticise or judge parents who chose not to vaccinate as that is their decision. And if a parent choses not to vaccinate, that is not the child's 'fault' and therefore they should not be denied education. All I can do is protect my own kids the best way I know how. And so far, this decision has not failed me and I would do it again.