Dear Dr. Garner,
My daughter has a beautiful six-year-old daughter. She is perfectly healthy, thank God. The problem is that my daughter will not allow my granddaughter to be vaccinated for all the usual childhood illnesses.
She signed some sort of waiver for school that she objected, based on “philosophy” (whatever that means), and now she says she will not vaccinate her.
I am afraid she is making a big mistake. Could you please tell me what you think, and also, if there is anything I can do as the grandmother.
Vaccine Free Granddaughter in Virginia

Dear Vaccine Free,
The number of parents choosing not to vaccinate their children has increased dramatically over the past 10 years.  This situation is extremely dangerous and could lead to the return of childhood illnesses once thought to be extinct, such as polio and measles. As an example, in Europe during the past year, there have been 30,000 cases of measles, and with world travel the same could easily happen here.
Inaccuracy of Lancet Study
It is troubling that many parents have made the decision not to vaccinate based upon erroneous information. In 1998, a study was published in the prestigious Lancet Medical Journal noting that childhood vaccines were responsible for the rise in autism. A chemical used as a preservative in the vaccines (thimerosal, a type of mercury) was thought to be the culprit.  This study was later repudiated and found to be inaccurate.
Unfortunately, many parents still cling to the myth of an association, as increasing numbers of children are not fully immunized.  It should be noted that thimeresol has been removed from almost all vaccines since the year 2000. In spite of this, the autism numbers have increased dramatically, which further serves to dispel the myth.
Parents who choose not to vaccinate their children should be aware that their decision affects everyone, including unborn babies and infants who cannot be immunized.
Some parents are afraid of the multiple injections that children receive. By the age of two months, they receive 24 vaccinations. While this is a large number and no one likes to see his or her child cry, the crying is far outweighed by avoiding serious illness or death.
In addition to the incorrect information that was published in Lancet, other factors in a parent’s decision for refusal to vaccinate include:
• The vaccine is its own worst enemy. As diseases that have killed thousands of children each year in the past became eradicated, people became complacent and forgot the gravity of having a young child deathly ill with diseases such as measles or polio.
• Some states allow parents to opt out of vaccinating their school-age children. A form must be completed by the parents prior to a child attending school.  Some parents find it easier to ask for a waiver than take their child to the pediatrician for a vaccine.
• With today’s world travel, there is possible introduction of childhood diseases from Third World countries, where not all children have access to vaccinations.
In China, in spite of the fact that there have been attempts at mass immunization, there has been an outbreak of polio brought into the country from Pakistan. The disease spread because many children were not vaccinated.  This could happen to our country as well, if parents stop allowing their children to be vaccinated.
You should explain to your daughter that by vaccinating her child, she not only helps your granddaughter’s health but the community health as well.
I believe the following is your best course of action:
a. Ask your daughter why she is not vaccinating your granddaughter. Explain to her that there is no medical reason not to vaccinate a child, unless there has been a documented allergy. Urge her to speak to her doctor for further information.
b. Explain that the risk from the vaccine is less than one in a million for a major adverse event.  The local pain, or swelling, or fever that may occur is far outweighed by the benefit of not contracting a serious or life threatening illness.
c. Your daughter should be made aware of the inaccuracy of the medical report that had been published in the Lancet, which may have served as a basis for her decision.
I hope you explain to your daughter that the results of the study are inaccurate and not an acceptable reason to refuse to vaccinate a child.
In summary, I, too, am nervous about your daughter’s decision not to vaccinate your granddaughter. I believe that if presented with the correct information your daughter will change her mind, and understand the necessity of vaccinating all children. If you’d like, I would be happy to speak to her.
At Christmas time, when parents are buying so many gifts for their children, I hope that your daughter re-evaluates her thinking, and gives your granddaughter the gift of good health by getting vaccinated – it’s not too late![hr] Dr. Steven Garner is a Fidelis Care provider who is affiliated with New York Methodist Hospital, Park Slope. He also hosts “Ask the Doctor” on NET, Tuesdays at 8 p.m. on Ch. 97 Time Warner and Ch. 30 Cablevision.