Helen Watling and Jake, 12: "I don't want it to be my kid for sure," she says of her decision to vaccinate her son.
Should I vaccinate my kids?
October 28, 2009
YES
NAME: Helen Watling, 49
CAREER: Works for Toronto District School Board trustee Gary Crawford
CHILDREN: Daughter Delaney, 15, and Jake, 12
"Unlike any other flu that I have been aware of, this has been the most life-threatening and has some health implications involving the respiratory system. My son is active, he plays hockey and baseball and is involved in school sports and around a lot of kids. I just don't want him susceptible. It is heart-wrenching to see an average kid going about his life and having fun end up dying. ... I don't want it to be my kid for sure. I don't want it to be anybody's kid."
NO
NAME: Monique Fabregas, 38
CAREER: Full-time mom
CHILDREN: Talia, 6, and twin boys, 13 months
"I am just as afraid as everyone about the virus, but I have decided to forgo because I consider our exposure quite low. They are not in daycare, they are home with me. My daughter is in a small school. I am not just going in blindly and counting on just fighting it off without anything. We go to a pediatrician and they have a pediatric naturopath as well.
I am concerned about the mercury and aluminum in the
vaccine. I can't imagine aluminum and mercury being good for my babies.
... It is not a decision I made lightly."
MAYBE
NAME: Michelle DeMarchi, 40
CAREER: Physiotherapist, osteopath
CHILDREN: Ben, 4, and Sofia, 2
"Up until (Tuesday) morning I had decided not to take the vaccination myself, or give it to my kids. Then I heard about (Evan Frustaglio). It made me rethink my decision.
If the risk is simply getting the flu for a week ... then I am willing to take that risk. But when you hear that seemingly healthy people are dying, that is not a risk I am willing to take. So I am now at a point where I will speak to my doctor again and my kids' pediatrician. ... It is worrying because you really want to do what is best for your kids."