Why I Give My Kids Vaccines

If you’ve been on the fence about vaccinating your children, please keep reading for the reasons why I give my kids vaccines – from a Pediatrician & mom of 5.

Have you ever wondered why vaccines have become such a hot topic? Back when I was a kid in the 80’s, I always went to the doctor expecting to get shots. It was just a normal part of most visits. But recently, more and more kids go into the Pediatrician’s office without that expectation because their parents refuse. I’m all for parents choosing what they feel is best for their kids. As long as they have all the facts to make that choice.

Yes, I’m a Pediatrician.

I’m also a mom.

I was vaccinated as a child, and got all the boosters I’ve needed as an adult. My 5 kids are all up-to-date with their vaccines. They get them all on time, following the schedule recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). None of them have had any side effects from the vaccines. They’re all healthy (besides my oldest son with a congenital heart defect – totally unrelated to any vaccines). My kids all have normal immune systems – and pretty good ones, I might add. They’ve all been through the typical daycare colds when they were younger. But have been so healthy since.

I give my kids vaccines:

To protect them

There are a ton of illnesses out there that kids have to face on a regular basis. I give my kids vaccines to protect them from the deadliest ones. Diphtheria, tetanus (“lockjaw”), whooping cough, polio, meningitis, bacteria in the blood, pneumonia, hepatitis B, measles, mumps, rubella, chicken pox, hepatitis A, HPV cancers. All illnesses I’ve chosen to protect my kids against.

Another physician I know likes to use the analogy of buckling in your child while driving in the car. If you wouldn’t let your kids drive around unbuckled, then why let them go through life unprotected, without vaccines? Vaccines save lives just like seat belts do!

To protect everyone else

Protecting my kids is by far the main reason I give them shots. But, there’s an added benefit. My kids being vaccinated also protects the most vulnerable around them. Babies who are too young to get their shots, pregnant women, those getting chemotherapy, and anyone with a compromised immune system. In “herd immunity”, when the majority of the community is immune to a disease (either by having it or being vaccinated against it), they reduce the risk of the disease being in the community. So, my kid being vaccinated helps protects those who aren’t.

Herd immunity is an epidemiological concept that describes the state where a population – usually of people – is sufficiently immune to a disease that the infection will not spread within that group. In other words, enough people can’t get the disease – either through vaccination or natural immunity – that the people who are vulnerable are protected.

These diseases are still out there

Even though vaccines have been around for decades, we’re still seeing vaccine-preventable diseases. As more families are refusing vaccines, we’ve seen outbreaks of diseases like measles, chicken pox, and whooping cough. We used to think we were only at risk when we traveled to other countries where these diseases are still active (or from outside travelers). But, we’re also at risk right here at home.

They’re effective

I won’t spew a ton of data out here. But vaccines have drastically lowered the rates of serious illnesses in children. Here’s a snapshot of data that shows the drastic decrease in the rates of diseases since the intro of these vaccines.

I don’t believe the hype

I believe in medicine and research-based conclusions. Not the random, unproven information that’s out there.

Myth: Vaccines aren’t safe

Fact: Years of research has proven that the benefits of vaccines far outweigh the risk of side effects. Yes, there can be mild, short-term side effects, but severe long-term effects are very rare. Vaccines go through years of testing before they’re given to the general public. Yes, there are preservatives in vaccines – but none anywhere near toxic levels.

Myth: Vaccines cause autism

Fact: There are 2 very faulty studies out there that cause people to believe there’s a link between the MMR vaccine and autism. These studies have been refuted several times over. Yet a lot of people still hold on to their misleading results. I have seen children with autism who have not had any vaccines. Here are summaries of 2 large studies that support the fact that vaccines DO NOT CAUSE AUTISM:

Autism Occurrence by MMR Vaccine Status Among US Children With Older Siblings With and Without Autism Summarized here: No MMR Vaccine-Autism Link in Large Study

Vaccines are not associated with autism: An evidence-based meta-analysis of case-control and cohort studies Summarized here: New Meta-analysis Confirms: No Association Between Autism and Vaccines

Myth: Too many vaccines at one time overwhelm the immune system

Fact: Simply not true. Vaccines are given on a schedule that’s been proven safe, and protects your kids when that protection is needed the most. Splitting up or delaying vaccines makes your little one vulnerable. Plus, giving vaccines together allows for less visits to the doctor, and less trauma to your kids. Yes, they may get more shots at one time. But I’ve found that to be much less traumatizing than bringing your kids in weekly or monthly for the sake of breaking up the shots.

Myth: Pediatricians only promote vaccines to make money

Fact: We don’t make make money off of vaccines. Yes, vaccines are expensive because of the research, testing, and manufacturing that goes into them. But, the money you (or your insurance) pay for them doesn’t go into our pockets!

If you’re still in doubt, here are a few sources of credible vaccine info. Vaccine Information Statements are also easily accessed for all the vaccines out there.

To set an example

The bottom line is I’d never give anything to anyone else’s child that I wouldn’t give my own.

As a mom, I couldn’t live with myself if something easily preventable happened to one of my kids. Could you?

If you’ve been on the fence about giving your kids vaccines, this link addresses common vaccine concerns.

Other helpful resources related to why I give my kids vaccines:

• Why I Gave My Kids The COVID-19 Vaccine
• Why I Gave My Kids The HPV Vaccine
• Overcoming 10 Myths About The Flu Vaccine
• Benefits of The Flu Vaccine

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