Vaccinate for All of Us

A new mother suffering from post-partum depression, I watched my husband and two nurses hold down my infant son for two vaccines. The nurses stuck each of his tiny thighs with long needles. I cried as he screamed; my emotions told me what we were doing was wrong.

But my head – the part that has read about vaccines and public health – knew we were right to follow the recommended immunization schedule. There’s a saying that “mother knows best and she should trust her instincts.” In this and many other hard moments in motherhood, my instincts have been proven wrong. Instincts and emotions can lead us far from facts and necessary, hard choices.

I have to rely on the scientific method and results – like our once, not-so-distant eradication of measles in the United States – as I make my decisions. I went to graduate school to study poetry, not medical school to study medicine. I’ve read many articles about health, as well as asked our doctors questions. I trust their knowledge, experience and expertise.

We humans are animals and we need to work to keep our species healthy. Five infants, humans who are too young to receive the vaccine, were diagnosed with measles today at an Illinois daycare. Five infants who can do nothing but rely on adults to care for them and keep them safe. If we had herd immunity, as we recently did, infants and those with medical conditions who cannot be vaccinated, would be safe from the disease.

As Sarah Kliff wrote for Vox the other day, “Vaccination is not a personal decision. It is a social obligation.” As members of a community, we need to care for one another, especially those who are the most vulnerable among us.

This means being vaccinated for ourselves and others in order to stop diseases from spreading.

Right now in the United States, there are loopholes for parents who have “religious and personal exemptions” and can opt out of vaccinating their children. If we close those loopholes, then we will be, once again, safe from diseases we shouldn’t have to worry about killing us.

Hopefully this will happen in California and across our nation. As Kevin Drum writes for Mother Jones, “If this were purely a personal choice, I'd go ahead and let parents decide. But it's not. It's a public health issue, and our top priority should be protecting public health.” 

Read more about vaccine safety from the CDC. 

Yes, Your Child Should Be Vaccinated Against the Flu

Influenza can be deadly for children and older adults. You and your children should get the flu vaccine this fall to keep your family safe. For more, read what the Mayo Clinic has to say about it, as well as the CDC and NIH.

I know, the shot hurts (I'm the first the complain) and it is annoying to make a trip to the doctor (or a local pharmacy) just for the vaccine, but it is worth it. I believe deeply in vaccines and protecting not only my child, but helping to protect the human tribe. As a poet, I will put my trust in science and those who have studied the issues.

Vaccines for the human tribe: Keep us all safe

It hurts our hearts to see our bambino cry. Deciding to do something that will cause him pain, even if it is ultimately in his best interest, isn't easy. Vaccines fall in that category. Helping the nurses to hold down our infant son to vaccinate him in this thighs was difficult, but vital to his health and the health of our human tribe.

Following the recommended vaccine schedule helps to keep all babies healthy and safe. Many diseases have mostly vanished because we are vaccinated against them. Some babies have medical conditions that do not allow them to receive the vaccinations; if other babies receive the vaccinations, they keep those children safe.

There are many public conversations about possible connections between autism and some vaccines. Public health and medical organizations have not proven this connection. The American Academy of Pediatrics has a very clear page about vaccine safety, including a linked page about autism and vaccines. Here's what they say:

MMR and Autism
Q. Is there a link between measles vaccination and autism?
No, there is no scientifically proven link between measles vaccination and autism. 
Extensive reports from both the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Institute of Medicine and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention conclude that there is no proven association between MMR vaccine and autism. 
Autism is a chronic developmental disorder, often first identified in toddlers from age 18 months to 30 months. MMR is administered just before the peak age of onset of autism symptoms. This timing leads some parents to mistakenly assume a causal relationship. There is no evidence that MMR causes autism. 
Increasing evidence indicates that autism is determined while the baby is still in the womb, early in the pregnancy.

Our bambino was quite fussy for about 48 hours after receiving his first round of vaccines. He had a low grade fever, resisted sleep and didn't want to eat without extra coaxing. A little baby Tylenol and many, many cuddles helped him through. Talk to your doctor about what you can do to help your baby after vaccinations.

Vaccines help to protect everyone. Follow your doctor's advice and keep us all safe. 

Owed Treats: Vaccines & More

We wish we could give the bambino treats after he bravely faces something difficult, like yesterday's two month vaccines.

Of course, there really aren't any treats for infants. He can't spend extra time playing soccer, call his best friend to meet up, or have ice cream. My husband said with a smile that we should keep a list of all the treats we owe him. Then, later, we can say, "this ice cream cone is for that first time your blood was drawn." With all the crying and noisy, uncomfortable sleep, it feels like we owe him an entire gelateria.

For now, he gets all the attention he wants and deserves. Like always.