Interview 20- Immunisation

Brief Outline:

For DTaP/IPV/Hib'Followed recommendations of health professionals for two eldest boys. For MMR' They followed recommendations of health professionals for two eldest boys. Reactions that their second son had to MMR, an extensive review of research papers in medical journals, and using the Internet to read about both pro and anti immunisation arguments helped them to make their decisions for their youngest son.

Background:

At time of interview: married, three sons, aged 9 years, 7 years and 1 year. Parents' occupations: Both are full time carers for their 7-year-old son who is severely autistic. Ethnic background: White-British.

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They chose not to immunise their children and believed that doctors encourage vaccinating because they are paid to by pharmaceutical companies.

Mother' So there is information out there but it does mean trawling through the Net.

 

Father' You wouldn't ask your doctor because…

 

Mother' No.

 

Father' As far as we're concerned your doctors are paid by the pharmaceutical companies and they cannot give you an unbiased opinion or an unpolitical answer to any of the questions that you might raise, towards the safety of vaccination.

 

Mother' Yeah taking the decision not to vaccinate does require you to be very, very strong and I'd say to any parent who takes that decision, “You're not going to get an easy ride from the medical profession”. And I also am aware that there are some practices in some parts of the country that won't register unvaccinated children. So that's another…

 

Father' And if you refuse, they strike them off their lists because it's bringing their vaccination levels down, which affects their targets for money that's given to them by the pharmaceutical companies.