To Poke or Not to Poke: Vaccines

The topic of vaccines, especially for children, has recently become a hot button issue in the health field. Whether for or against them, it is important to know as many facts as possible before making any decision. New Era recommends the book, The Vaccine Book:Making the Right Decision for Your Child by Robert Sears. We feel this book does a great job of explaining what each vaccine is for, why it may or may not be necessary and statistics on cases in the U.S. without much bias for or against. Whatever the decision, remember it is always a matter of personal choice. There are laws in Michigan and the U.S. that state vaccines may be opted out of based on religious, moral or medical reasons. This includes the vaccines that are "required" of children entering schools. More information can be found on the state's website.

There are both pros and cons to each and every vaccine. Every vaccine needs to be evaluated on a separate basis. Most of us are aware of the pros of getting a vaccine. Children are at a reduced risk of getting whatever disease they were vaccinated for, however it is not a guarantee. While the list of cons can be exhausting, the major ones are 1) some vaccines still contain ingredients that are harmful to the body, such as mercury 2) the vaccine can actually give you the disease, however usually it is a milder case, 3) vaccines can give you a false sense of security, such as the Gardasil vaccine for HpV, and 4) the artificial immunity given by vaccines wears off in 5-7 years.

When deciding to vaccinate a child, New Era ALWAYS recommends that bundled vaccines be split up. Although this may mean more "pokes" for the child, it GREATLY reduces the risk of complications. New Era also recommends that the parents and doctors weigh the risks and benefits of giving or skipping each vaccine.

Particularly if the decision is made to not vaccinate a child, maintenance of the immune system becomes an active process. This includes eating healthy, exercise and regualr exposure to germs. Regular exposure to germs is a workout for the immune system, much like Rocky getting ready for a fight. One of the most important steps in this process is maintaining a healthy nervous system, which will boost the immune system. The best way to support the nervous system is through chiropractic care. Getting adjusted also has many other beneficial "side effects."

Contact Dr. Dave or Dr. Brooke at New Era Chiropractic for any questions, or visit our website at www.newerasaline.com.