Do you vaccinate your children? What about the risks?

Most people get vaccinated each year for the flu, and get their children vaccinated throughout childhood for dangerous diseases such as measles, whooping cough, etc. At the same time, there are scores of people out there who refuse to get their children vaccinated for fear that something awful may happen to their child; such as developing autism, brain damage, or even death.

What if I told you that both groups of these people are right? That there is not only the extreme ends of the spectrum: “vaccines are great” or “vaccines are deadly”, but more of a middle ground. What if I said that yes, vaccines are wonderful life saving tools and save millions of people from developing deadly diseases each year; yet at the same time there are those out there who may be susceptible to getting ill from the vaccine?

Recently I had a chance to watch the documentary The Greater Good, and it really opened my eyes to the idea that there is more than just the idea of pro-vaccine, or anti-vaccine.

What the documentary aims to show you is that although vaccines really are good for society, there may be people who are just genetically predisposed to having a reaction from the vaccine (moreover, the ingredients used to administer the vaccine). Some of the reactions could be simple rashes, or could be as severe as brain damage, autism, and even death.

The Greater Good, really asks you to take a look at the bigger picture and realize that perhaps vaccines are not really “one size fits all.” We need to look at bettering the vaccines we do have so those who may be in danger of having some type of reaction are either getting a different type of vaccine, or just not required to have it. Be that through genetic testing to look for indicators that might make them a risk, or just developing new/better vaccines.

If you do nothing else, I highly suggest watching this documentary. There are three families featured in The Greater Good, and each of those families has a heartbreaking story to tell.

ABOUT THE GREATER GOOD:

THE GREATER GOOD looks behind the fear, hype and politics that have polarized the vaccine debate in America today. The film re-frames the emotionally charged issue and oﬀers, for the first time, the opportunity for a rational and scientific discussion on how to create a safer and more eﬀective vaccine program.
synopsis:
Our society has reached a crossroads on vaccines. Americans are asking questions about safety but are confused about where to turn for answers. Government agencies are charged with implementing sound policies that will keep vaccination rates high and disease rates low. But to accomplish this noble goal, does the government go too far in shielding the public from possible side eﬀects?
THE GREATER GOOD explores this pressing question and sheds light on an issue that is already on the minds of expecting mothers and fathers, grandparents, doctors and healthcare professionals across the country. Human stories of families forever changed by their vaccine choices engage audiences while vaccine experts help refocus the discussion of vaccine safety within a troubled system.

One of the stories in this documentary features a young girl who chose to get the Gardasil vaccine because she kept seeing the ads on T.V. saying she needed to get it. Her mom took her in, and after getting the vaccine she had two strokes, seizures, partial paralysis, and vision problems. The medication now required to keep her alive has crippled the family financially.

After watching this documentary there were several things I learned, one of which is that the drug companies that make vaccines CANNOT be sued or held financially responsible for problems related to the vaccines. There is a special court system set up for the pharmaceutical companies that make the vaccine, and they are not liable at all!

Here is a preview to the documentary, take a look: