Parenting Australia

Vaccinations have been in the media of late, and we recently shared some information regarding seasonal flu and swine flu with readers. Most of the controversy has surrounded seasonal flu vaccines and parents have been advised not to immunise children under five against seasonal flu. However, swine flu vaccinations are still recommended and H1N1 is expected to be the dominant flu this winter season. Professor Bishop, Australia’s Chief Medical Officer said, “It is safe to have the swine flu vaccine. The TGA’s assessment of clinical trials and the advice of its expert committees is that Panvax® is a safe, effective vaccine for prevention of the H1N1 influenza.” Despite this over two thirds of Parenting Australia readers say they will not be vaccinating their children against swine flu.

In a recent survey conducted by www.parentingaustralia.com.au we asked parents whether or not they were planning to vaccinate against Swine Flu. A whopping 67.5% said NO while only 32.5% said they would. We found these statistics surprising, especially as an active ad campaign has been promoting the fact swine flu does cause fatalities. A high percentage of usually healthy people who fell ill from swine flu last year had to be treated in intensive care units across the country.

This is the reason reader Jackie Smith chose to have herself and her child vaccinated. She said, “I could live with us both being a little sick from the immunisation (though neither of us reacted to it), but I couldn’t live with myself if my daughter got it [swine flu] and died from it. I would forever blame myself. At least I know I have done what I can to prevent it.” Reader Kim Hutchison has also immunised her family as her daughter’s prematurity and her own immune disease mean they are in a high risk category.

Others were adamant about their choice not to vaccinate. Parenting Australia reader Katrina Harrison said, “Nope! We are not guinea pigs! There hasn’t been enough testing done on the swine flu vaccine and I don’t want to be told in 10-15 years that it should never have been given.” Reader Chrissy Grainger agreed, and questioned the effectiveness of the vaccine and lack of long term studies.

Vaccinating children is obviously a contentious issue with our readers, and Australian parents are divided on the best course of action. We’ll leave you with Professor Robert Booy’s opinon as he is not only the Head of Clinical Research at the National Centre for Immunisation Research, but he also cares for sick little ones at the Children’s Hospital Westmead. His opinion? Vaccination is still the most effective preventative.

What’s your opinion? We’d love you to have your say. You are welcome to share your comments below, join us in the forums or chat with us on our facebook page.

10 Comments

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1. sandy pritchard makes this comment

   Monday, 31 May 2010

   I chose to have my child vaccinated. I couldn't live with myself if something ever happened to my child that I potentially could have prevented. There's an element of risk to everything and it's your duty as a parents to make those judgement calls. I also think I would be extremely concerned that she would become seriously ill because of children who aren't vaccinated and that may be carriers, and also because whooping cough and the like are on the rise.

2. Sharon Goodall makes this comment

   Tuesday, 01 June 2010

   I vaccinated my 19month old little girl several months ago. She reacted with high fevers with the 1st dose (39-40degrees) and vomiting approx 6hrs after (of course this started at 10pm when she woke in a bed full of vomit and a raging temp). I observed her for any other symptoms and gave rectal panadol which helped. Slept all night and only low grade fevers the next morning and within 24hrs she was back to normal. I was very nervous about following up with the 2nd dose a month later but did so. Didn't want her to go through all of that and in the end not be protected. 2nd dose - absolutely nothing happened. We did give the injection in the morning though and observed her in 'awake hours' and she displayed not one symptom. I'm still not sure about it but at the same time glad it is done. I would recommend anyone planning to vaccinate their little ones to do it in the morning and observe them through the day.

3. Tina makes this comment

   Tuesday, 01 June 2010

   Before you vaccinate your child, research the vaccination topic yourself so you are fully aware of the risks involved. If you do vaccinate your children, have you ever questioned why you are vaccinating - or are you just following the 'norm'?
   In my experience, as the mother of two children, one vaccinated and one not vaccinated, I cannot compare the two in terms of illness throughout their lives. Remember; Vaccination does not equal immunization. Research before your vaccinate.

4. Nicola makes this comment

   Tuesday, 01 June 2010

   We decided to vaccinate both of our sons, as we felt that the risk for not vaccinating them was far greater. I have not however, given them a chicken pox vaccination as I didn't get chicken pox until adulthood and for me, chicken pox seems to be one of those childhood 'rights of passage'. We have also never given the boys the flu vac, and with the recent media coverage on the problems with this vaccination, I feel pleased to have made this decision.

5. Leigh makes this comment

   Wednesday, 02 June 2010

   I spoke to my doctor just last week and was advised not to give my son the H1N1 influenza vaccine as they had stopped this vaccine for children under 5. I wanted to get him vaccinated against the swine flu but was advised by my doctor not to.

6. Bree makes this comment

   Wednesday, 02 June 2010

   Definately vaccinate. I have seen the deadly effects that these viruses and diseases that we can vaccinate against and reduce the risk of, have on children. There is no way that I would take the risk of not vaccinating, and do not want my children near others that have not been vaccinated. Whooping Cough and the like are only on the rise again because people are failing to vaccinate, and adults are not getting their booster shots.

7. Tracey Huxtable makes this comment

   Wednesday, 02 June 2010

   I chose not to vaccinate at all from birth. I did the research and decided against vaccination. Its a very personal choice and one that should be thoroughly researched before making the decision. My belief is that little bodies are being injected with too many chemicals and we are over vaccinating. Also vaccinating does not guarantee that you will not get the illness, not vaccinating does not mean that you can become a carrier either, comments like this are ill informed and are generally made by people to put fear into others to vaccinate. There is a lot of media hype over vaccinating, especially at the beginning of illness seasons, there is also a huge push by pharmaceutical companies because this is how they make their money. The studies done for pro vaccination are carried out or funded by pharmaceutical companies, so hardly inderpendent.

8. Tracey Huxtable makes this comment

   Wednesday, 02 June 2010

   I chose not to vaccinate at all from birth. I did the research and decided against vaccination. Its a very personal choice and one that should be thoroughly researched before making the decision. My belief is that little bodies are being injected with too many chemicals and we are over vaccinating. Also vaccinating does not guarantee that you will not get the illness, not vaccinating does not mean that you can become a carrier either, comments like this are ill informed and are generally made by people to put fear into others to vaccinate. There is a lot of media hype over vaccinating, especially at the beginning of illness seasons, there is also a huge push by pharmaceutical companies because this is how they make their money. The studies done for pro vaccination are carried out or funded by pharmaceutical companies, so hardly inderpendent.

9. Erika makes this comment

   Thursday, 03 June 2010

   I'm still in two minds. We decided to vaccinate all 3 of our children with the seasonal flu shot back in April as my husband was undergoing chemotherapy. My 18 month old developed extreme fevers and suffered febrile convulsions lasting about 5 minutes 8 hours after the vaccine was given. He is now half vaccinated and we have been offered the swine flu booster for the children but have not made a decision. I'd really like to know what level of immunity they would have after the one injection, but no-one seems keen to tell me.
   
   I am also very concerned that the problems with the seasonal flu shot are going to impact on the rates of vaccination against other harmful and preventable illnesses.

10. DyadyaSportivnihShtanah makes this comment

    Sunday, 15 August 2010

    This is good

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