Parents need to know their options, says Burton. He recommends that parents get a copy of the package insert of every vaccine their child is to receive before setting up a vaccination appointment and that they prepare questions for their pediatricians. A child with the sniffles or other illness should not be vaccinated. Burton says he has heard reports that some schools have refused to enroll unvaccinated children even when their families have received exemptions allowed by their states. Families need to be informed of their exemption rights prior to vaccination and their decision should be respected by the medical community and school officials.
Bad things happen to people all the time.
It's unfortunate that we don't know the causes of many of those. I think this year has been important because there has been recognition that vaccines do cause significant side effects. And there's beginning to be recognition in Congress that we've got to fund studies.