For years and years and years, I've either dived in, head-first, when the vaccination "debate" comes up or I've tiptoed away, sick to my stomach, repulsed and repelled. Sophie's seizure disorder aside, other than the main fact of my instinctual uneasiness about the vaccinations themselves and the manner in which they are given (which speaks of a general uneasiness about public health in general in our country), I am most struck by the simplicity of the debate in how it's reported in the media. I've said over and over that despite my daughter's history, I am not anti-vaccine and that the way the media portrays the issue has only pushed zealots -- both pro and anti -- to the forefront of what is an incredibly complex problem.
Anyway, I'm not tip-toeing. A friend sent me the following link which, while not a scientific article is exactly what I'm talking about and how I feel about the whole issue. You can read it here if you'd like. Just don't let your blood runneth over.
Excellent post Elizabeth. I like the way the article talks about what I read as "common-folk" or not formally educated nor certified as if medicine was your trade. Because I believe even the most knowledgeable people in the medical industry do not actually understand everything about the mechanics and processes involved with ailments like cancer and arthritis.
ReplyDeleteYet I sometimes get the feeling that the general public believes it is as well understood as the Krebs cycle. So I appreciate that articles perspective because it was not that long ago that the most knowledgeable persons in cellular biology had a view on cells being pretty much just a tiny ball of goosh. And now we know the are extremely organized mini cities that import, export, manufacture, consume, regulate, build, teardown and re-build, highways, freeways, sidewalks, garbage-men,... pretty much a metaphorical and literal equivalent to every aspect of our physical lives on earth, and as I see it, the spiritual as well.
Two things come to mind. 1.) As a pediatric nurse I have given thousands of immunizations. We had one little guy end up diabetic and the University said it was from his MMR.Your post just reminded me of that one (1980's) 2.) As a long time health dept nurse I have to say it was the dirtiest facility I ever worked in short of Haiti.
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