It was 1998, and the chickenpox vaccine was just coming out. At that time–the chickenpox vaccine became available in 1995—my daughter was four and completely up-to-date on all of the recommended vaccinations. However, I didn’t see the point of taking her in to get that one—I mean, chickenpox was no big deal, right? I was […]
Or: Confessions of a Broken Record I post about two things on social media – science fiction and vaccines. The first, because I love it. I am a hardcore Trekkie/Star Wars/Firefly/Isaac Asimov-loving type of girl. The second, because I am a nurse and I practice evidence-based medicine. I never realized that opposition to vaccination was […]
If you are on Facebook or Twitter in the next month, you might notice measles, influenza, mumps, and polio cropping up on profile pictures and cover photos. Fortunately, these diseases are pictorial only and aren’t infectious. But they are spreading a good cause. Friends of Voices for Vaccines are changing these Twitter or Facebook pictures […]
In 2013, Voices for Vaccines was relaunched as an organization by parents and for parents, an organization that gave vaccinating parents a voice in the conversation about immunization. Until then, the discussion was dominated by public health officials, scientists, and healthcare workers on the one hand and anti-vaccine parents on the other. Since our relaunch, […]
My name is Grace. I was raised in a cult. There are a lot of things wrong with being raised in a cult— religious brainwashing, extreme patriarchy, verbal abuse, physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse—the list could last for pages. But the damage wasn’t just limited to the things that were done to us. It […]
In recognition of National Infant Immunization Week (NIIW), Voices For Vaccines is participating in a blog relay to discuss the critical role vaccines play in protecting children, families, and communities against vaccine-preventable diseases. NIIW is sponsored by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). You can follow the NIIW conversation on social media using hashtag #NIIW. I have […]
As the person at the helm of Voices for Vaccines, I frequently hear the newest claims made by anti-vaccine activists about the alleged dangers of vaccines. Part of my job is investigating these claims, talking to experts about them, and helping to communicate to parents about which of these claims are valid and which are […]
Although it’s hard for me to admit—and makes me feel vulnerable—I was previously anti-vaccine. As a young first-time mother seven years ago, I had had my daughter vaccinated according to schedule up until she turned one. That’s when I stumbled upon the anti-vaccine crowd on the Internet. I was easily sucked in. I was easily […]
One of the most common messages I get at Voices for Vaccines comes from someone who has a friend or family member whose children are either partially or completely unvaccinated. The inclination is that as a trusted loved one, this advocate believes she can change the minds of the vaccine-hesitant people in her life. Our advocates […]
I am part of a generation that feels its government has lied to its citizens time and time again. From the rationale and controversial evidence leading to the invasion of Iraq to the allegations about the NSA, it’s easy to become jaded. In fact, when I learned about these things, at a young age, my mind […]