On Vaccines

To vaccinate or not to vaccinate, THAT is the Question.

Is it an easy decision? I hope it's not.  
Because the more time you spend learning about what's best for your new bundle of joy the better.  
​ (I will share one word of advice a little later on).  

ALL I WANT, (and I know I'm not alone) is a healthy generation of kids.

So, if you are looking for a yes or no answer, go to a biased website.
If you want INFORMATION, then keep reading because believe it or not, Vaccines are more than a black and white topic.

Where to begin?  Let's start here:

         1.)  A.S.K. Q.U.E.S.T.I.O.N.S.  

Your child is going to be unlike any other child ON THIS EARTH.  I can promise you that.  And because of that, they will need something different then those in the bassinets on either side.  
Do your OWN research and ask health professionals throughout the allopathic/holistic spectrum on thoughts and advice.  It will be a lot of work, but you also have the
BIGGEST RESPONSIBILITY ON EARTH:
 taking care of and making decisions for a child;  Helpless and dependent on loving parents.

         2.)  Homework didn't end with school

    There are plenty of books to read on the topic of vaccines.  (and raising a healthy child for that matter.) Let me offer up a few suggestions of where to start:

• The Vaccine Book: This book offers pros and cons as each chapter dives into a specific disease that is on the recommended vaccination schedule.  
• Well Adjusted Babies: This book is overall about naturally raising a child.  There is a specific section devoted to vaccines and goes over pros and cons to each decision.

          3.)  On the topic of research

Not always, but sometimes, studies and their results can be spun in such a way that the conclusion doesn't match the actual findings.  Be careful about referenced studies and if you aren't sure what to make of it, take it to someone who spends time reading research articles for fun (Like me!) that can take the time to explain it.


****If I may make 1 suggestion****:  
We have a lot of mandatory vaccines that are given to children just in the first year of life.  If you chose to fully vaccinate your child, consider a delayed vaccination schedule.  More visits, less vaccines per trip.  Kids go through a lot during the first year of life.  And if something does occur after a dose (God-forbid) you can make an informed decision about boosters or additional doses.

In SUM:

• Ask Questions (to us included)
• Do some Homework  (this is more important than algebra)
• Delayed Schedule  (Because you as the parent get to make that decision)

And finally, My role as a health care provider is to inform on topics such as this in a non-biased, judgement free, and comfortable atmosphere.  So that you can make great decisions based on what is best for you!  
Having said that,
in order to fully understand what this process looks like in our society, I have read research, looked at statistics and trends, learned from other health care professionals, and even read vaccine health labels.  I have developed my own bias (I am human after all) and do have opinions of my own.  I will try to stay as informational as possible, but if you want another health care providers opinion, ask in private as I will be keeping my bias off of the world wide web.  Thanks.

Yours in Health,

​Aaron Hildreth