Personal Stories


Moms Who Vaccinate, And Those Who Wish They Had

Often, vaccine advocates who focus on families who have suffered from vaccine preventable diseases are accused of fear mongering.  Strangely enough, fear is often what motivates people to refuse vaccines.  Fear of...


Day By Day, Shot By Shot

Every Easter season I imagine how devastating it would be to watch your child suffer and die.  While I sat in church yesterday, blessed to be among my family...


When You Want it "So Bad" it's Good

Last Friday, I was excited to refer readers to the “Immunize for Good” campaign.  This week there is something else we need “So Bad”; an entertaining way to get people’s attention and...


In The Autism Community, Vaccines Can Be the Elephant in the Room

http://flic.kr/p/NxRz3 “Can’t We Just All Get Along?” By Dena Penner   I have often been reminded of that phrase from back in the late 1990’s as I have begun to...


Immunize Campaign is so "Good" it's Great

Unfortunately, bad news often overshadows the good.    As recent posts have focused on lawsuits, irresponsible celebrity doctors and measles outbreaks, I thought it might be time to focus on some positive...


Growing with Shot of Prevention: A labor of love

By Christine Vara It took 280 days.  About 40 weeks.  Nine months, in other words, for this pregnancy to ultimately deliver.  Only this time, I helped to birth a...


Vaccinations “Cocoon” Infants Too Young to be Immunized

By Christine Vara When our first child was born, my husband and I were intent on protecting her from harm.  While we were probably like most new parents, I’ll...


From One Mother to Another, For the Love of All Children

They say time heals all wounds.  While I believe that certainly can be true, I also recognize that often, scars remain. Last week at this time I sat in...


In Recognition of World Pneumonia Day

It’s worth the poke to protect the world’s children. By Shannon Duffy Peterson A life changing event – one involving your children – will make any parent regret what they...


Make Mine a Double…Up The Nose

By Christine Vara Yesterday, my daughters and I got our flu shots.  Actually, we got a double nasal spray – one up each nostril.  I must say that whoever...