The subject of vaccinations is a very controversial topic, as it should be. Every parent has a responsibility to do what is best for their child. I figured since I’m passionate about health, being a nurse, I should start with my first blog post being about a hot health topic.

I have been very blessed to be able to experience vaccinations on a deeper level than the average person or parent. Being a nurse and giving vaccines to patients young and old has given me the great responsibility to observe for any reaction good or bad. It has given me the opportunity to see first hand what vaccines do and what they don’t do.

From what I have learned, I am for vaccines. However, I am not for vaccines the way they are given to children now. From a nursing standpoint we were taught not to give more than one vaccine per injection site. At the four month visit for infants they are given four vaccines. This is against what I have learned is safe. In an infant of only four months the only safe site for injection is the anterolateral thigh muscle (Figure 4).

It is my job as a nurse to safely monitor my patient for an adverse reaction. If I have just given the baby four injections, generally two in each leg it’s impossible to definitively tell which vaccine is causing a reaction if one should occur.

With this in mind I have decided with my children to go ahead with vaccinations, but to give no more than two vaccines per doctors visit. With no more than two injections I can monitor injection sites, one per leg, to determine if any injection caused a reaction. I understand some people have unique situations in that they are allergic to or have immune issues and can not get vaccines. This is why it is even more important for those of us who can get vaccines to get them. To protect those unfortunate people.

In conclusion I think every parent should do what they know to be best for their individual child. Even though I am a medical professional as always consult your doctor before making any medical decisions. Research as much as you can and get the facts, do what is prudent.