too chicken for chicken pox?
February 1, 2010
I was just reading an article/blog titled ‘Should you have your child vaccinated for chicken pox?’.
According to the article “The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) have gotten behind the varicella vaccine.”
Why are we vaccinating against things that aren’t even that harmful!? As a child, I was sent to chicken pox parties where a mum would have all the kids over if her child had contracted chicken pox! I never actually got it but loved hanging out and eating party food with the spot-ridden host! This definitely doesn’t make sense to me.
Pharmaceutical companies donated over a US$1million for conferences, grants, medical education and even helped build the new AAP headquarters. Merck (the maker of the chicken pox vaccine) kindly donated $433,000 (the same year the academy promoted the new HPV vaccine) to the Academy! That’s so generous of them, hey!
Its also mentions that Wyeth donated $342, 000 (makes the new mercoccal vaccine) and Sanofi Aventis donated an undisclosed amount (they make 17 different vaccines plus a five-in-one shot just added to the US schedule).
Now, I can’t say that I’ve researched these donations myself but this is an example of how a few pennies can sway an opinion or get something pushed through faster. Just food for thought….
February 2, 2010 at 12:13 am
Thanks for posting this. Although I am certainly not against all vaccinations, I share you surprise that children are now being vaccinated against childhood diseases like chicken pox. The mumps maybe, because it can be very dangerous if contracted in later life – but why chicken pox? Is this another big pharma moneyspinner? And what is it doing to our general immunity to vaccinate against even more minor disorders?
February 2, 2010 at 1:35 am
I was vaccinated against chicken pox; had it as a child and as an adult so what was the point. Although for much more serious diseases like Polio, it definitely stopped the spread of it, as you rarely hear about it now or see sufferers. I know it was quite a revolution at the time and have met people who got struck down by it and had to wear those terrible leg supports and had a permanent limp. I do agree that the very idea of ‘vaccination’ has entered deep into the psyche of most people, based on fear and with them assuming that it is a cure from everything. Good health is the best protect against all disease. I wonder if big pharma will see a market for the ‘common cold vaccine’ or the ‘Obesity Vaccine’?
February 2, 2010 at 8:14 am
We vaccinate at 18 months for chicken pox in Australia. Possibly one you might like to consider not doing?
February 5, 2010 at 9:19 am
Chicken pox can be lethal if you’re an adult. Would you rather get vaccinated or would you rather face the risk of death?
February 6, 2010 at 10:10 am
Personally, I’d rather not get vaccinated and risk death. And if my son doesn’t feel the same way as an adult (and hasnt contracted it naturally) he can choose to be vaccinated.
It can be lethal, but so can lots of things. And what’s more, there are adverse reactions to the vaccine that I don’t feel are worth the risk.
According to the the Australian Department of Health and Aging, there were 4 recorded deaths between 2002 and 2005.
If these vaccinations did help (which I doubt) why dont they wait until the child is at least 12 and they have had a chance to contract it naturally rather than vaccinating at 18 months?
I’m sure you can do your own reading and research about the possible adverse reactions and the rate of contraction/death.
Thanks for reading and taking the time to post a reply.