Immunizations and the Conspiracy Theorists.

When Conspiracy theories affect kids health...

My 5 year old brings many things home from school. Last week it was a note from the Principal that there had been a confirmed case of Chicken Pox in the school. This prompted his mother and I to review the immunization record we have for our son. .. And yes DS5 has received all his immunizations, including the one for Chicken Pox. So we had a collective sigh of relief.

The next day on my travels the topic on the radio was the ever controversial flu shot… and the annual debate of "do we or don’t we." I cringed when the radio station opened up the phone lines…as next to the topic of the 9/11 World Trade Center disaster, nothing draws out the conspiracy theorists faster than talk of immunizations…tin hats firmly in place. Sure enough it didn’t take long for the calls and claims of conspiracy to start. The usual theories of mercury laden viles and  other "junk" to further the profits and agenda of big business…and of course these callers could not be dissuaded by mere evidence from hundreds of reputable medical studies dispelling these myths….because if a 3rd rate actress, claims it gave her son Autism...well it must be true.

I don’t get too bent out of shape when Adults make the choice not to get the Flu shot, but when the decision involves not immunizing children from serious illnesses my blood pressure rises. Now to be fair…I have missed a few flu shots over the years…but as a direct result of sloth and procrastination. I’ve also been known to be downright suspicious of big Pharma and the desire to drug us for anything and everything, but the bottom line is that I have to believe in science and more importantly the results.  When hundreds of studies from reputable and learned sources all arrive at the same result...you have my attention.

I guess the images of kids in iron lungs, and wheel chairs and leg braces from the ravages of Polio are now too distant for parents of today to remember? At risk of raising the ire of the conspiracy theorists, I have to say it’s at best reckless to not immunize your kids, at worst it’s extremely dangerous and potentially deadly. Not immunizing kids is also selfish and ignorant…unless you live on a deserted island, your decision affects all of us. Immunizing worked in the past to eradicate devastating illnesses like Polio and small pox because everybody participated. I thought evolution meant we got smarter with time…but sometimes it appears we are leaping backwards.

Talk to your doctor and do it for the children!