There is a great deal of conflicting information out there about vaccines. This can make it difficult to determine what is factual and what is opinion. That includes making informed decisions about vaccinations. You want to know that you are basing these very important decisions on facts and that those advising you have only the best interests of your children at heart.
Some vaccine views are promoted by groups with names that sound like respected medical associations, but are not –- or on websites that look and sound official but cite studies that do not meet the most basic clinical standards for research. There are misrepresentations of studies, conclusions from studies that have been disproven or were fraudulent, opinions not supported by research, and undocumented stories. Some people are making a great deal of money on their anti-vaccination views by selling videos, books, giving seminars, etc.
To help parents, Spokane Rotary Club 21 developed this website.
We began by compiling a list of the most common questions parents ask their doctors about vaccines. Then we set out to find an expert, one with impeccable credentials, who could answer these questions in a straightforward and helpful manner.
These questions and answers are in both video and text form. We have provided a more concise video answer to each question, as well as a more detailed response to each question in text form.
Please note that our service club has no financial stake in vaccines or in the medical field. We are not making money on this, but instead have donated our own money to create this website, and Dr. LaSalle has donated her time to this effort. Our only goal is to provide accurate information and help parents make decisions with confidence in order to protect their children.
This vaccine education project was conceived well before the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID19) pandemic. Prior vaccination programs have been so successful that many of us have never seen vaccine-preventable diseases like measles, tetanus, pertussis and others. With decreasing immunization rates, however, we are starting to see a return of these illnesses in our communities.
WHY IMMUNIZE?
The current pandemic is giving us a front row seat to what life is like without vaccines. Other than masking, social distancing, and other public health measures, we have no way to prevent or reliably treat COVID19. And we are seeing the huge cost to life and livelihoods that uncontrolled infectious disease can bring. If we don’t stay vigilant about immunizing and supporting science and public health, we may see this devastation continue.
We hope that you will join us in vaccinating... for your own health and for the health of your loved ones and communities.
