I am so sick and tired of hearing all of this crazy nonsense regarding vaccines. All of it-- it's complete madness and it's driving me absolutely insane. "Pro Vax" and "Anti Vax" movements, people belittling and degrading others due to their decisions (on both sides), the lies spread by the media and the lack of education altogether. Argh!!!
I think the last one is what really bothers me. First, if you have ANY opinion about vaccines at all besides "we just get them", then you are automatically placed in a category. Then, anything you have to say regarding vaccines that perhaps others disagree with is instantly regarded as an uneducated remark (especially if it against vaccinations). Both sides point fingers and claim the other side is: UNEDUCATED. Wake up people, we all are fucking uneducated. When is the last time you learned about something in a completely unbiased fashion (not in school, that's for sure)? What was the last "hot topic" that was presented to the public without first being shaped by the greed and financial interest of larger people/corporations in charge? And at what point did everyone stop thinking for themselves and hand their brains over to someone else...because it seems to be what every damn person has done in regards to this highly sensitive topic.
I would like to RECLASSIFY the term educated when it comes to vaccinations. Educated does NOT mean you do everything the white man in the white coat tells you to do because the media tells you if you don't you are a waste of society. If you choose to weigh out the risks and make such decisions on your own, then great. But don't do it just because someone tells you to or preys off your fear. Educated means doing your OWN research, formulating your OWN conclusion, and EXERCISING your personal freedom to then implement whatever decision you have chosen. Personally, in regards to vaccines, I would say you are EDUCATED if and only after you have read every manufacturers' insert that comes with every vaccine you plan to get for yourself or your child(ren). How can you say you have made an educated decision when you have not read the ingredients, risks, side effects, precautions, safety & efficiency, etc? Do you not do this before you take any prescription medicine (I hope so)? Do you not read the label on every pre-packaged food item you purchase? Do you not research nutrition and shop for healthy balanced meals for your family? Do you try to purchase non-toxic items for your family; do you keep your hazardous chemicals away from your children's reach; do you keep a watchful eye on your children and prevent them from situations that would put them in danger? How lazy & uneducated is it then, to NOT read the simple warning label that comes with the drug you are about to have injected into your or your child's body??
Personally I don't care what decision you come to. I don't care what side of the "fence" you are on and I strongly detest the fact that there is such a great and hateful division among people over this topic anyhow. I wish we could all start a new revolution, especially parents, a revolution of education. Not "Mothers Against Vaccines" or "Mothers For Vaccinations"; "MOTHERS FOR VACCINE EDUCATION". Be educated; take a few simple hours out of your day to read more than just the 5-line paper your doctor hands you; make your decision then.
If you are curious to read the manufacturer's inserts here are the most current copies: http://www.immunize.org/packageinserts/
