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Archive for September 24th, 2008

Vaccination Affirmation

September 24th, 2008 by Oskar Kennedy

I am going to vaccinate my child.

My wife is expecting our first child in February. I plan to be a responsible and caring father. I know, therefore, even before I know whether we’re having a boy or a girl, that I am going to make sure that my child receives all of the recommended vaccinations on the medically accepted schedule.

I am going to vaccinate my child.

I want my child to grow up as safe as possible from the scourge of serious illness. I will not rely on the vicarious or “herd” immunity of my child’s peers. I will take responsibility for the health of my child, and for the health of those around us, by ensuring that my child won’t succumb to a preventible infection, and in so doing become a vector for potentially devastating disease.

I am going to vaccinate my child.

There is some small chance of adverse side effects from vaccination. Fevers, swelling at the injection site and mild nausea are all possible. In extremely rare cases, a severe allergic reaction can cause permanent brain injury. But these risks are far outweighed by the benefits. Vaccination will protect my child from diseases that have maimed, disabled and killed infants and children throughout human history.

I am going to vaccinate my child.

Vaccinations do not – DO NOT – cause autism. It isn’t even worth wasting breath on. Vaccines have never contained methyl mercury, the compound that has long term toxic effects on the human body. Every study linking vaccination to autism has been shown to be fatally flawed or totally fraudulent. The preservative that was thought to be the culprit hasn’t been used in childhood vaccines since 2001, yet the rate of autism diagnosis has continued to climb.

I am going to vaccinate my child.

I am going to protect my child to the best of my ability. Safe, reliable vaccines are arguably the most important medical advance ever developed. Vaccination is among the most important child safety measures that a parent can provide. To withhold it based on rare side effects and anti-scientific hysteria is irresponsible, unconscionable and unbelievably selfish. You are exposing your child, and everyone your child interacts with, to unnecessary risk.

I am going to vaccinate my child.

I am not just going to protect my child’s body. I am going to protect the vulnerable, malleable brain that every child is born with. I am going to teach my child the value of learning, of critical thinking, of asking questions and not accepting answers without evidence. Blind belief and nonsensical thinking are mental infections that plague humanity, and I will give my child the tools to grapple with them.

I am going to vaccinate my child.

Because I am responsible for the wellbeing of my child, and for the safety of the friends my child will make. Because my parents cared enough to vaccinate me. Because I am going to be a good father. Because I love my child.

I am going to vaccinate my child.

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└ Tags: autism, children, disease, illness, immunity, parenting, vaccination, wife