Most pediatricians agree that the benefits of vaccines outweigh the risks and that they prevent horrible diseases like polio, diphtheria, and tetanus, as well as serious illnesses like measles, mumps, rubella, and whooping cough. As a public health matter, they say, vaccinating all children prevents any of these diseases from emerging in a country.

What Critics of Vaccines for Kids Say

Nevertheless, critics do make some disturbing points. One is that vaccines contain toxins. While the vaccines do prevent the illness they are intended for, critics contend, they simultaneously may be contributing to other problems in your child—such as autism, allergies and learning and/or autoimmune disorders—either through the toxins that accompany the vaccine, or through the live vaccine. Except for two vaccines, the vaccines your child receives are made with non-live bacteria, but two of them contain live (but weakened) vaccines. Critics fear that these live vaccines then live on in your child's body and may produce reactions.

It is important to point out that none of the allegations made by critics of vaccines has been proved. However, it does seem that some children who had been progressing normally developed autism soon after being vaccinated. Was this a coincidence, and would they have developed the autism even without the vaccine? At this point, the answer is not known.

Other critics contend that vaccines prevent the body from fighting diseases and developing its own natural defenses against contracting them in the future. They say that vaccines do cause a small but certain number of deaths each year, and that taking the chance that your child wouldn't develop the illness if not vaccinated may be a safer bet.

What Do You Say?

Each parent must make her own decision, weighing things like family history against the viewpoints of each side in the dispute. But keep in mind that pediatricians are nearly unanimous in agreeing that vaccinating your child is the wisest choice.

For further reading on the controversy over vaccines for kids go to:

Infant Vaccination Controversy

Shirley's Wellness Cafe

About.com: Making Sense of the Autism/Vaccine Controversy

National Vaccine Information Center

Wikipedia: Vaccine Controversy

Wikipedia: Thiomersal Controversy

The Senior Vaccine Controversy:

Why Some Believe Vaccines for Seniors May Not Be Worth It

The flu vaccine is recommended for all adults over the age of 60 because people over that age have a weaker immune system and hence a reduced ability to cope with the flu. More importantly, having the flu reduces the ability to fight other diseases, such as bacterial pneumonia.

However, some contend that precisely because seniors' immune systems are weaker, the effectiveness of the vaccine will be weaker, as the vaccine works by stimulating the immune system to fight the flu. Since the immune system is so weak to begin with, the degree of ability to fight the disease may not be high. These critics contend that any claims to the effectiveness of the flu vaccine are biased due to the inclusion in the studies of the many healthy people who are vaccinated—people who would have fought off the flu even without the vaccine.

What Should You Do?

Discuss the issue with your doctor. Even though the vaccine may not be as effective as claimed, it seems to be a safe vaccine that won't endanger you.

For more information on seniors and vaccines, and on other recommended vaccines for seniors, go to:

SAGE: The Science of Aging Research

BC Health Files: Why Seniors Should Get the Influenza Vaccine

Medical News Today

Consumer Affairs: Do Flu Shots Really Help Seniors?

MedHelp: Immunization and Vaccine Forum

Wellness is something we all strive for.

Educating yourselves about vaccines, and discussing your questions with your doctor, should help you make the right decision.

Cheers,
Sheila