9.29.2008

The Big Stick

I am not going to tell you what is right for your families value system. But, as you know, the debate over vaccinations and their safety are very heated.

Many women/families who choose to vaccinate, though, do so relying on the advocacy and accountability of independent medical professionals and organizations that tout the safety and effectiveness of these vaccines.

I would welcome you, no matter what your stance on vaccinations, to read How Independent Are Vaccine Defenders, an article written by CBS as an investigative report.

I, personally, cannot take the word of someone who takes money from an organization for it's promotion - not when there are so many questions surrounding it's safety and effectiveness. Can you say ethical issues?

Before you dispute this, consider the following conundrum:

I have a wonderful breastfeeding relationship with my child. There are no indications that there is anything amiss. I go to my pediatrician, who weighs my child and then says "I think it would be healthier to give him formula. We can measure it, there are no side effects or harm to it, and it will show that we did everything in our power to circumvent an issue cropping up later in life where he was malnourished".

Later, once my child is sucking away on formula and refusing my breast, I realize he has allergies to the formula content, gets more ear infections, has upper respiratory infections, etc... on a whim, I look into formula funding and find that my pediatrician gets a 'bonus' from the formula manufacturer for every sample he leads a woman toward, hands out, or otherwise encourages.

This is the same situation (BTW, the above situation does occur as well). Yes, most everyone receives payment for their work, but when their work could be detrimental to my child's health, or there is a strong possibility of risk or harm, shouldn't we, the consumer, know all of the facts, who is lining who's pockets and at what expense, and what political and financial agreements these professionals have with other companies?

This undermines the credibility of the American Academy of Pediatrics, Every Child By Two, and pediatrician Dr. Paul Offit, in my opinion, and strengthens my belief that we don't know enough about the majority of our vaccines to be pushing them so staunchly on the public.

Do your research!

Thank you, Corinne, for bringing this to my attention.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

I like the following blog which has a lot of information on vaccines:

http://insidevaccines.com/wordpress/

-Kathy

Jenn said...

do you know if there is a site to find pediatricians that don't push vaccines...

Nicole D said...

Jenn - if you go to http://www.momvaccines.org/ you will find a phone number to call. Call that number during the daytime hours and they will give you names of providers who are choice-friendly. I am not sure if they have one for GR area, but it is worth a shot (no pun intended).

Your other option is Dr. Michael Bolan, with South Kent Family Care. He is not against vaccines, but will support your choice not to do them.. he is also supportive of a delayed vaccination schedule. He is located in Kentwood, not sure of his number. Hope that helps.

AtYourCervix said...

Buhahaha! I love the fact that my child's pediatrician claimed that I would not be allowed to let her go to public school without all of her vaccinations.

Hmmm, where is she now? Oh yes, in public school. Without all of the "required" vaccines. Amazing how a little waiver filled out works for the school district.

DoulaMomma said...

on a related note - vaccines in NJ:
http://doulamomma.blogspot.com/2008/10/new-mandatory-vaccines-in-nj.html

CappuccinosMom said...

There certainly are doctors who recieve benefits from drug companies, and doctors who don't care about their patients. My parents saw that. They were horrified and often guild ridden by the stuff and food poured out on them by drug reps.

However, in their office, they kept samples to give away free to poor patients who truly needed them :), and although they are concerned about non-vaxers, when they were practicing they were very respectful of different choices.

I wish I could find a pediatrician and an OB in my area like my parents. Then I could be *sure* of respectful treatment and maybe even homebirths. :)

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