My mother took care of me.

Vax

Very much against it. Our daughter has never been vaccinated. The pharmaceutical companies are just out there taking advantage of thr people in our country. The industry is making billions and really not doing much to keep us safe. Today children are required to get about 10x the amount of vaccinations that were required for us and most of it is for illnesses and diseases and haven't been around in years. Its a very sad situation.

The biggest problem with vaccinations with which I'm familiar is that they contain mercury—even when they say they don't. The microscopic print on flu vaccines, for example, says it's not proven safe for pregnant or nursing mothers. If you look at the list of symptoms for mercury poisoning, it tracks one for one with the symptoms of Alzheimer's—when it produces dementia. But there are lots of other ways mercury poisoning manifests in the body besides dementia—ALS, MS, Parkinsons, and more. And thousands of studies worldwide linking "silver" dental amalgams (50% mercury) with neurological and other deficits. I personally would rather have my own immunity than mess with vaccines if I have a choice.

Absolutely. My daughter who lives in W. Hollywood enjoys her year-round Disney access pass. She called her mom who reassured she got vaccinated back in the day. NYC school students must get vaccinated.

Yes, VAX! Vaccines have eradicated diseases...done more good than harm. The most harmful things are our playing with and contaminating our food, air, and water sources!!! That is where a major cause of illness lies.

I agree wholeheartedly with Elizabeth--vaccinate! Far, far more good has come from vaccination than damage has come from their use. Do you expect 100% of medications are safe for 100% of people? Of course not, or there would be no medications (for example, aspirin can cause a lot of damage). On the whole, though, vaccines are very safe, and have been studied upside down and inside out (http://www.fda.gov/BiologicsBloodVaccines/SafetyAvailability/VaccineSafety/UCM096228). Moreover, most standard vaccines don't even contain that because they're single use (see Table 1). The mercury contained in vaccines, in thimerosol, is different than the mercury you find in gold production or a thermometer (http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/vaccine/thimerosal.htm). The most prominent spokesperson for anti-vax is Jenny McCarthy, who, last I checked, has zero scientific credentials or credibility. The CDC, which has been helping put out the Ebola blaze in Africa, carries a little more weight with me.

For further commentary about this, read Frank Bruni's column in Saturday's New York Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/01/opinion/sunday/frank-bruni-disneyland-measles-and-madness.html

Absolutely believe in the Vax!!

Look, you've got to understand both sides. Living your life like the pharma companies are out to "get" you is one thing, but then don't bring your sick carriers to large theme parks. If you want to live off the grid, God bless. But if you're going to play well with others, follow the rules.

I didn't mean for my prior comments (the two most recent "Anonymous") to get posted that way; I stand by them 100%. Today there's another good story in the newspaper about how a fraudulent study is still an impetus for the misguided anti-vax movement. http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/02/us/a-discredited-vaccine-studys-continuing-impact-on-public-health.html

It is a difficult topic because everyone's opinion is based upon their sincere belief in doing the right thing by their families. My pediatrician, whom I have grown to trust implicitly, is emphatic about the concept that we had almost completely eradicated the measles from existence in this country, and that because of fraudulent "studies" distributed to honest people, that there is a significant distrust for vaccinations that is seriously endangering children's health. I think it is foolish to live as if the pharmaceutical companies are in some great conspiracy to hurt people, or even not to heal people. The evidence couldn't be more clear throughout recent American history as to how long people live these days because of modern medicine.

If anything, we've gotten too good at keeping people alive for our own best interests...but that's another topic, lol (don't be offended by that, I'm mostly kidding).