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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask you to help me argue with an anti-vaxxer on fb

854 replies

GoesDownLikeACupOfColdSick · 11/02/2017 21:24

I know, I know. But it's Saturday night, DP is out and I am just home whilst our (fully vaccinated!) DD is asleep.

What do I say to someone who is convinced that we should all do our own research, that vaccines are only about big pharma making big bucks, and that the govt hushes up vaccine damage??

OP posts:
Devilishpyjamas · 14/02/2017 14:02

And autism is not one thing. Autisms

Megatherium · 14/02/2017 14:10

That's rubbish OP. Most parents absolutely are qualified to know what's right for their child.

Manifestly that cannot be the case. If my child became seriously ill tomorrow, the fact that I'm her mother wouldn't endow me with the power to diagnose her and know how to treat her. The science around vaccination is in a similar league.

Original poster
GoesDownLikeACupOfColdSick · 14/02/2017 14:19

Jesus Lottie, that is genuinely terrifying.

OP posts:
Original poster
GoesDownLikeACupOfColdSick · 14/02/2017 14:19

It's up there with people who think Jesus and some herbs can cure things better than doctors!!

OP posts:
BorrowedHeart · 14/02/2017 14:20

Trust me, I know my child better than some of her doctors, I know what works for her and what doesn't, I may not be an expert in the field (near enough am now tbf) but I am an expert on my child. I didn't tell you to "shut up!" I basically was saying that, if you refuse to do checks on other childrenetc then just shut up about the whole anti vax thing, because you will never k ow if it's affected you, seeing as you won't research who is vaccinated or not Wink

BorrowedHeart · 14/02/2017 14:22

Some herbs do work better than medicine, I mean marijuana is kind of proof of that.

Original poster
GoesDownLikeACupOfColdSick · 14/02/2017 14:22

Ah ok. So because you'll never know who gave your kid a disease because they thought they knew best, that makes it ok??

Er. Ok. Hmm

OP posts:
MimiTheWonderGoat · 14/02/2017 14:26

Our gp and two pediatricians dismissed my daughter's rash as eczema, because she was covered in eczema, however I only took her to see them because this rash was different and there were blisters on her scalp. I suspected chicken pox...they said it definitely wasn't chicken pox. Three days later they admitted her to the children's ward and had her pumped full of antivirals and antibiotics...for severe chicken pox. Go figure. Mothers definitely do know their own child a bit better than anyone else.

BorrowedHeart · 14/02/2017 14:28

Are you deliberately being thick? I explain why I said to shut up, if you won't ask who is vaccinated and who isn't, you cannot control who is around your kid, therefore suck it up, some people vaccinate and others don't, you literally refuse to control who is around your child so why keep arguing about it? It's not getting you anywhere.

BorrowedHeart · 14/02/2017 14:28

Still no apology for the rudeness I see, maybe your attitude will be enough to keep people away.

lottieandmia · 14/02/2017 14:50

Parents are specialised in our own children - that's our job.

When I saw dd3's paediatrician about her ADHD/possible ASD to start with she asked me if I'm a child development specialist. I replied 'only where my own children are concerned'

carefreeeee · 14/02/2017 15:06

A bit off topic but we have exactly the same thing with dogs. I've vaccinated hundreds of thousands of dogs and have never ever come across any reaction more severe than a day of being slightly off colour or a lump at the injection site that goes away after a couple of weeks. Nor have I ever heard of a reaction happening from any colleague. Owners would definitely be reporting these if they were happening as they are generally quick to blame any odd side effect on anything we have done.

Yet the dog anti-vaxx brigade is out in force and clients are regularly asking me if vaccines are safe. They rarely question any other drugs we prescribe, most of which have much more potential for side effects.

I am seeing dogs with parvo, which is fatal in at least 50% of cases, even with intensive and very expensive care, on a regular basis. It is 100% preventable with vaccines. Incredibly frustrating! Why are people so quick to believe some stranger on the internet? I just don't know!

lottieandmia · 14/02/2017 15:09

Er, as much as I love animals people are not dogs. And they live a lot longer!

CoteDAzur · 14/02/2017 15:15

"vaccinated hundreds of thousands of dogs and have never ever come across any reaction more severe than a day of being slightly off colour or a lump at the injection site that goes away after a couple of weeks"

Interesting topic. Is there such a thing as regression in cognitive capacity in dogs? Can dogs have ASD?

MimiTheWonderGoat · 14/02/2017 15:16

Also, small damage to the human brain is much more obvious than similar damage to a dog. How do you test cognitive function etc of an animal?

GoesDownLikeACupOfColdSick · 14/02/2017 15:22

This reply has been deleted

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bumbleymummy · 14/02/2017 15:24

GoesDown, you really aren't doing yourself any favours with your attitude.

Original poster
GoesDownLikeACupOfColdSick · 14/02/2017 15:25

Why do I need to, bumbley? Someone who is adamant that they know best but cannot prove a word of it is certainly not someone that I would want to like or agree with me!

OP posts:
MimiTheWonderGoat · 14/02/2017 15:28

GoesDownLikeACupOfColdSick
What's with personally inulting people on here? Is that how you talk to people in real life?

lottieandmia · 14/02/2017 15:28

It's equally dangerous never to question authority, especially where your child is concerned.

'The experts' don't always get it right. For example, I was told by a consultant gynae that I'd had a miscarriage. I hadn't and I knew full well I hadn't.

There is a balance in these matters. I think that vaccination is generally a good thing. But the risks are underplayed. And it's difficult to be taken seriously if a bad reaction occurs. It 'couldn't have been' the vaccine.

Original poster
GoesDownLikeACupOfColdSick · 14/02/2017 15:33

Um, no, comments based on and made in response to someone's comments are not "personal insults". That would involve say talking about something personal, e.g. where someone lives, or stalking usernames and referring to comments on previous threads, that sort of thing. You may not like the tone but hey, I didn't like hers, and she didn't like mine, so.

OP posts:
carefreeeee · 14/02/2017 15:34

You are right that you might not notice a mild bit of regression in a dog. We don't test their cognitive function - if they can eat, play and wag their tail that's good enough for most owners! They do get senile when they get old and owners do notice that - loss of toilet training, howling at night, confusion...

The point I am trying to make is that the irrational anti vaxxers are there with dogs too - even with side effects that aren't noticeable to owners (if they occur at all)

carefreeeee · 14/02/2017 15:35

To clarify - the dog anti vaxxers are claiming that vaccines kill dogs - not that they cause autism.

MimiTheWonderGoat · 14/02/2017 15:37

Saying "your thickness..." isn't personal?

lottieandmia · 14/02/2017 15:38

The overall issue when you have a pet is different though. If you don't get your animals immunised then your insurance won't pay up if you need expensive vet care. That for me is very important.