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From: kenc@islenet.UUCP (Ken Cribbs)
Newsgroups: net.kids,net.med
Subject: Re: RE: Immunizations causing handicaps
Message-ID: <1653@islenet.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 24-Sep-85 17:35:36 EDT
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Posted: Tue Sep 24 17:35:36 1985
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> > I was under the impression that immunizations were required by law.
> 
> I have never heard of a LAW that required immunizations. I
> believe it would be held unconstitutional on the basis of
> freedom of religion. There are a lot of religions that have
> beliefs about medical procedures that vary from standard MD
> practice.
> 
> There are, however, immunization requirements for such
> things as entering school. One can usually obtain a waver for
> these on any number of reasons. However, when an epidemic
> occurs, those children without the proper immunization are not
> allowed to attend. This happened here in the entire Phoenix
> area last spring with a measles epidemic, most prevalent in
> the high schools. Naturally, some parents took it to court for
> depriving their children of the right to education. The judge
> threw it out. Interestingly enough, the issue the parents took
> on not getting their children immunized was not religious.
> 
> > We are scheduled to have our 9 week old given her first DPT shot this
> > week. The doctor gave us a pamphlet on all the different immunizations
> > required and some possible side effects that might occur after the
> > shots. It seems to me that the risks of not having the shots are far
> > greater than having them. Any comments?
> 
> Agreed. My comments above are not based on my opinion of
> whether or not immumizations should be given. I feel they
> usually should, with direction from an MD, close supervision
> to recognise side effects, and based upon the child's health.
> -- 
> Suzanne Barnett
> 
> uucp:	 ...{decvax,ihnp4,noao,savax,seismo}!terak!suze
> phone:	 (602) 998-4800
> us mail: CalComp/Sanders Display Products Division
> 	 (Formerly Terak Corporation)
> 	 14151 N 76th street, Scottsdale, AZ 85260

I would add the following recommendations:

Pertussis vaccine (the "P" portion of DTP immunization) can
cause serious neurologic damage in relatively rare instances;
if the child has an underlying neurologic disease, a histiry
of seizures, or serious problems with allergies, be sure to
specifically ask your pediatrician whether it might be 
safer to give only the DT immunization (diptheria and
tetanus toxoids only, without the pertussis vaccine).  If
the doctor becomes defensive or acts as though your concerns
are ridiculous, get a second opinion from another pediatrician
before consenting to the immunization.

The same recommendation applies if there is a family
history of a seizure disorder ("epilepsy").

                          -- Ken Cribbs
                          {ihnp4, dual, vortex}!islenet!kenc


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