Before Vaccinating...
Read. Talk with other parents. Talk with your physician. Talk with your partner. Listen to yourself.
If you choose to decline vaccination, know your rights (viewable in our “Laws & Rights” section) and the risks you might be facing.
If you decide to vaccinate, we recommend the following action steps for your consideration:
1) Talk with your healthcare provider; make sure that s/he knows what your concerns are and that s/he is able to respect your decisions, regardless of what they are.
2) Read the vaccine package inserts, available from your doctor’s office (or via this website in the ‘Vaccines & Disease’ section), ideally prior to your child’s visit (we parents are generally anxious enough during these visits without being expected to quickly read and comprehend these often complicated documents).
3) Have vaccines administered separately when possible, both to lessen their impact on the child’s system as well as to help clarify, should your child have a reaction, to what vaccine s/he is reacting. Find more information about purchasing separate vaccines.
4) Know your family history. Is there history of: vaccine reactions? convulsions or neurological disorders? severe allergies? immune system disorders? It is important to share this information with your healthcare provider.
5) Know your child’s current health and the contraindications for (i.e., reasons for not giving) the vaccine. For instance, fever is generally reason not to administer a vaccine, as the child’s immune system is already engaged in one challenge. It’s okay to delay until another day if you’re unsure; vaccine schedules are recommendations, not immutable truths.
6) Has your child had a vaccine reaction before? Previous reactions are often contraindications.
7) Make sure you’re getting what you’ve asked for before the vaccine is administered; e.g., if you’re concerned about thimerosal, make sure the vaccine is a thimerosal-free version. Be empowered to ask the doctor and read the vaccine package insert.