In all the articles and statements on “vaccine hesitancy” that are thrown at us, have you noticed how it seems to be a mystery to those conducting the “research” as to why these “parents” just won't do what they are told? Have you noticed that they never actually quote these “parents” on what their reasons for backing out of the vaccine schedule actually are?

If they actually told you why the WOMEN... the almost exclusively female primary care givers... were reporting about their treatment, it would force a change in the vaccine industry from top to bottom.

Because women who challenge the absurd “vaccines are safe and effective for everyone” claim in the office, even with the vaccine package inserts themselves, are often offered harassment, are subject to gaslighting and are treated like “emotional” children that need to be handled. That is what the vaccine industry has trained medical providers to do.

Last month I asked the moms in the Maine Facebook group to post a short comment on the mistreatment they have encountered while dealing with vaccine issues in the office. I thought I would get a few quotes that would make it easier for the Committee to see the flat out misogyny that women are dealing with.

The post had more than 500 comments in 24 hours. In a group of only 2,000 members.

I have whittled it down a bit, but the “highlights” below is still 15 printed pages long. You can see the raw data on “vaccine hesitancy” for yourself before it is filtered through the narrative of the medical industry publishing monolith.

I respectfully request that if you are a male, that you read the entire document so you can see what it is like to be a woman alone in a medical provider's office - something you will never experience in life.

If you choose not to read it all, please at least read the last quote from the Maine Medical Association testifying in 2015 at the hearings on LD 606 that they do not believe women's reports of poor treatment by medical providers on vaccine issues - then - remember that we all collectively decided in October of 2017 that we would #BelieveAllWomen

The vaccine exemption removal bills exist to control women who can see with their own eyes the damage that the current liability-free vaccine industry is doing to children, and read with their own eyes the official government documentation admitting that vaccines are “Unavoidably Unsafe” and cause harm.

We asked mothers in a Maine Facebook vaccine group to tell us about their poor treatment in the doctor's office surrounding vaccination. We selected some for you to read so that you may have a greater understanding of the true reasons for "vaccine hesitancy":

When pregnant with my 7th baby I went preterm (34 wks) I was sent to Maine med. My triage nurse every time she came in to check vitals would ask me if I changed my mind and would like dtap and flu shot. After about the 6th time I asked her to stop asking me. She replied "I am just trying to protect your baby from your ignorance "

 

My son was vaccine injured and vaccinated without consent. We chose to selectively vaccinate and office nurse lied and told me she was giving the course of the 3 vaccines we chose. He would always get a fever but the last time he got a fever and broke out in hives and was sick for a week, we stopped all vaccines at that point. Later I was told by the doc he had received all but the last set of his vaccines for his 1st year.

 

Our doctor told us my daughter would be stronger, smarter, happier, healthier if she had her shots, then informed us that he doesn't have to see our child as a patient because we don't vaccinate and we would have a hard time finding ANYONE with an office in the area that would take her at all.

Convinced us that we wouldn't be able to find another pediatrician if we didn't agree with him, and then he said we should reevaluate our research and get off google.

My daughter is 18 months old and hasn't had a checkup by him since 9 months because of this. I'm terrified to go back and be harrassed. I cried and left the office in a rush and he knew he had hurt us.

I will never forget the look on his face when i asked "how could she be healthier?" Because she's never been sick.

We see a naturopath for all of our well checks instead now because i am terrified to be scolded when having my daughter checked for something as simple as a cold.

 

"I lose sleep over your children and all the children they could potentially infect"

 

I had an old man pediatrician doing rounds at the hospital when I declined vitamin k for my son in September 2018. He said, “I am an expert at making babies mad and taking them away from their moms today.” And a few minutes later after we said we declined vit k, he said, “your baby WILL die without that.” I was in the middle of trying to do a weighted feed to please the nurses and he didn’t give one crap!

 

"As long as you're civil with us, you can stay at our office." I was civil. I just asked questions.

 

A doctor asked me what a titer is after I asked for one.

 

"Your son will do fine with his shots, just cause his sister had (in your opinion) a bad reaction, doesn't mean he will, just do it."

 

When I asked for the package inserts I was told that they didn't know what those were, and once I explained what they were, they told me that they had thrown everything away.

 

Any question I ever asked was met with "I cant answer that for you"or we'll agree to disagree."

 

I asked for a titer, and he said, "well that’s a needle . I thought you didn’t want him getting a shot."

 

f you don’t give your child the HPV vaccine she will get cancer, and they said it in front of my daughter so she was terrified.

 

“Don’t you want to protect your future sons wife’s life?” Regarding the hpv vaccine for my son.

 

If you don't have her vaccinated, you're hurting your daughter.

 

You're not going to be a very good mom.--said to me 2 days after giving birth to my daughter because I made known my stance.

 

I know we've discussed this before, but I wanted to let you know how important it is to vaccinate your daughter.

 

“I’ve seen cute babies just like yours die”

 

You're a good mommy, right? Good mommies vaccinate their babies. Sign the paper.

“Well she probably won’t have a reaction like that again, bc it’s a whole different set of shots this time.”

 

“Your baby will die if you don’t follow the vaccination schedule”

 

I shouldn’t have gone alone I figured I’d get some lecture, but that comment really hit me, I was clearly getting upset, so she stopped. She gave me some book to read (which went straight to the trash) and then assured me that her kids get all their vaccines and are fine we left that office.

 

Our current dr left abruptly, haven’t been to any well checks since.

 

You're not vaccinating?? Are you aware of the consequences of your neglectful actions.

 

"There is no evidence that suggests that this will harm you or your unborn baby." The insert stated no tests had been done regarding pregnant women or the unborn and it stated in bold capital letters not to use while pregnant because miscarriage could happen.

 

My very first experience was 11 years ago, i was in the waiting room with my daughter, and our ped was in the hallway and i hear her snicker to the other peds, "she's the one that don't vaccinate'. it wasn't what was said, it was their tone and talking behind my back, publicly in the hall.

 

I called with a question about fevers and was told by the nurse, reiterating the pediatrician, "because your child is not vaccinated she needs to be seen immediately. We need to do x-rays, catheter, blood work, and start antibiotics.

Me: "would you do the same for a fully vaccinated child who's only symptom was a fever?

Nurse: "no the risk wouldn't be as high."

I was shocked because her ONLY symptom was a fever and they NEVER answered my initial question.

 

“If you’re not going to directly protect your children then you could at least protect them a little by getting the Tdap yourself.” I was in the ER for bleeding during early pregnancy.

 

"You're just comparing her to her older sister who was advanced in her development. You need to look at the developmental norms". (In reference to my MULTIPLE concerns about developmental delay and regression between 4 and 11 months when looking at child development books NOT comparing her to her older sister)

 

Eye rolling and seeming annoyance with my questions and bringing in sources to validate my concerns and statements like, "I have a very busy schedule. I can't possibly answer all of your questions in this visit."

 

PCP insisted medically-fragile infant MUST have DTaP before scheduled heart surgery at 3 months, that it was "Required before surgery." (because, ya know, an instrument might fall in the manure on the OR floor). We went on to a new PCP: "Well, if you're never going to do anything to protect

her health (since you're declining vaccines), it's not worth ordering any tests for these other issues you're mentioning."

 

"You will have to vaccinate after this new bill passes, you will not have an option" She also told me that my thoughts on MTHFR were absurd.

 

At the ER once a doctor demanded I give him an explanation as to why my son didn’t receive certain vaccines.

It was very degrading and condescending, he backed off and actually laughed when I said “well we don’t do hep b because my child isn’t having sex or shooting IV drugs yet.”

 

“Do you have a thermometer? Being unvaccinated, your baby is much more likely to run a fever” this was in regard to a 2 day old.

 

If something were to happen, I don't know how YOU could live with that....

 

Every fever they will probably need to do a spinal tap.

 

With my unvaccinated son (10 months old) in the ER after an injury requiring a butterfly suture to close a gash resulting from his sister's dollhouse falling on his head...

"oh, he will definitely need a tetanus shot. You can get tetanus from dust"

 

My doctor told me my daughter could get tetanus if she ate any food from a can.

 

My son bit his tongue really bad. There was a flap sticking up. It didn't get sutures but they wanted a tetanus shot. I was like, "He bit it with his own teeth!!!"

 

Small gash from the corner of a kitchen cabinet above his eye. ER told me they would take extra precaution with the wound being sure to keep it “extra sterile” because he didn’t have tetanus shot.

 

“My plan to safely catch your son up would be to give all 9 shots in one visit to minimize trauma”.

Our pediatrician, this past Monday.

 

Laughed in my face when I asked about the insert. Told me it was legalese and that it didn’t mean anything. My timeline of my sons health meant nothing to her.

 

We haven’t gone since my youngest was 4 months old. Our pedi flat out refused to have any discussion/conversation about the matter. They couldn’t answer any questions we had with anything other than, “they’re perfectly safe. Fever, rash, vomiting is a normal reaction.” So we quit going.

I desperately want to find a pedi that wouldn’t heckle us though.

 

"Do you not believe in death?"

 

Severe eczema flares are not vaccine reactions. Everyone has eczema dormant in their bodies, and it's completely random as to what causes the break-out.

 

Even though he has an allergy to eggs, getting vaccines that are grown on egg embryo's is completely safe.

 

Each time we were in the ER with 105-106 fevers with my kids. "nope the vaccines didn't do this" yet it was in the same week as the vaccines.

 

Where are all the doctors who don't pressure parents? I need one desperately :(

 

You haven't seen what I've seen. Children die from these diseases. I'm going to have to keep telling you about this every time you come in.

 

I was scolded in a room at Waterville pediatrics for over an hour with a patronizing male doctor. I felt like a hostage. I was yelled at, called ignorant and a terrible mother for wanting my kid to risk dying all while he stood in front of the door so I couldn't leave.

 

“What religion are you that can’t vaccinate ? Oh well I know for a fact it isn’t against Christianity to vaccinate so yeah right” Oh man this makes me livid when I think back on it. It was an ER nurse who kept badgering me when I had a sick baby and was a first time mom back in 2009... I WISH someone would try that crap with me now.

 

I was told vaccinations should not be my choice. My child would survive from the measles but would “randomly die in his sleep 10 years later as an after effect”.

 

Refused to have my sons titers tested upon my request.

 

We had a doctor who would roll his eyes there and when asked questions about vaccines in his office would only answer staring at a computer and would not look you in the eye. We left that office very quickly after the flags went up.

 

Do you know what you're doing? Do you know the repercussions of this? Where did you get your information from? Basically - think twice about your actions.

 

We were at a regular visit. Dr. wanted us to give him a flu shot. I wasn’t keen on the idea. I asked if they had thimerosal them. Her answer was, “it’s not going to give him Autism”. He already had an Autism diagnosis at this point and she knew it.

 

For any check up/visit the first thing they do is say if you were up-to-date on vaccinations or not. If you are not that must be the cause of why you were here. It's as if they are not even going to listen to why I brought my sick kid in if I do not have all vaccines on their schedule.

 

I brought my 20 m/o to the doctors 3 weeks ago to be tested for pneumonia because I'm positive that's what he has. They refused to test for pneumonia, and instead tested for pertussis because he's not vaccinated so he must have it. He tested negative for it btw, as well as RSV. He's still sick,

and still not diagnosed :'(

 

What is your intent when LD798 passes? (Maine General Express Care This past Saturday)

 

"You want to delay vaccines? Well you better keep her in a bubble then." My daughter was 1 week old at that point.

 

“So you want your child to end up with cancer? You’re just ASKING for them to die young. How unfair.” What the Dr told us when we denied vx at birth.

 

I saw a covering doc when mine was out when my youngest had his first cough/fever. As a new mom I thought I should bring him in for a fever.

The doc said " this child could have any possibility of sickness as he isn't vaccinated...some 3rd world disease for all I know!"....we didn't see him ever again.

 

I was never insulted or belittled. I had a great experience in NH where my 1st daughter was born and they never made it an issue. But recently, when my 3rd daughter had her 2 month well check I was given a “sub” doctor. Dr. Losey. When vaccines came up he said “ok, time for shots!”. I said “not today and likely not ever. And it isn’t up for discussion. This is my informed non-consent.” He turned, (literally) threw his hands up in the air and walked out on me and my infant daughter.

 

I’ve never been given a VIS... required by law...

 

"Have you ever seen a baby with pertussis?”

 

Around this time last year, I brought my daughter to her 4 year "well-child" visit. At this visit, I dare question how vaccines may affect children of different races (my children are biracial) and the answer was "There is no data saying it is not safe." ...doctor and nurse left room. Then 2 doctors and 3 nurses came jammed back into our tiny room. They were trying to show all the inserts they could, while each chiming in how they are safe. I felt cornered, I felt shamed. I was in tears! I almost gave in until I heard the doctor over everyone say "you are not a bad mom for not vaccinating because you can get her all caught up today!"

When I heard that, the feelings of meekness and shame left me, and I told them "I do not feel guilty for not being up to date. I feel guilty for allowing them to receive the previous onslaught of fevers, lethargy, bowel issues and allergies. I told them there would be no more vaccinations until someone shows me a verified study proving my child will not be harmed based on their ethnicity...

I left and haven't been back since. Now, I am afraid to bring my kids to the doctors.

I walked out of there with my head high and tears running down my face! No one should face that type of gang-like activity!

 

"Why cause you believe some young dumb blonde, by the name of Jenny McCarthy who thinks vaccines are linked to autism"...he laughs and said "your beliefs are ridiculous because it's been proven many times that there is no correlation between the two. "You would rather have your son die of a dangerous disease than get autism?"

 

Ours made a snide comment about putting them off too long or even not doing them in general, and they literally said “but you wouldn’t do that, you’re good parents.”

 

The ONE time my son has ever been sick with a fever (he’s almost 3 now and has only been sick twice in his life) I called and asked if he should be seen or not, and they said well it was urgent since he’s unvaccinated, it could be ANYTHING. He was perfectly fine the next day btw.

 

Found a great naturopathic doctor since then, all set with the fear mongering pediatrics.

 

My son was born at 27 weeks and weighing 2 lbs. The dr in the NICU wanted to give him a bunch of vaccines all at once. He was about 4 lbs by this point, and still on an high amount of oxygen. I said no, repeatedly. They said what if someone here is Hep B positive and infects your baby! Then

after me just saying no thank you, he's all set. The dr. said I hope you change your mind because I'd hate to see your baby die.

 

"I've been a doctor for 40 years and before vaccines patients were coming in by the dozens with measels and smallpox!! You should be thankful you have vaccines to protect your child!" This was said to me after our 2nd had an adverse reaction at his 2 month shots and the doctor was told me it was "totally normal" and "totally safe." 2 months after he had another vaccine reaction and since then neither of our children have had shots.

 

I declined whooping cough vaccine while pregnant (gave birth in January). OB said to me, "did you know if you give your baby whooping cough, they could die. Your BABY could die". When I explained I was well educated and wanted to take my time to give vaccines she said while patting me on the leg condescendingly "just so you know all the research will support vaccinating on the schedule we follow."

 

8 years ago- Tulsa's’ most famous respected pediatric gastroenterologist, “I think you’re overreacting. There is no connection between the stomach and the brain. It’s not related to his autism.”

 

When we were interviewing pediatricians ...

“You can do a delayed schedule but you WILL do them.”

 

My kid has never been to a pediatrician for all the reasons above, but when I was planning a pregnancy, at an annual exam, my doctor wanted to get me up to date on all shots because “it would protect my unborn baby...” Her nasty comments included: “Babies die all the time from vaccine preventable illnesses”...she’s actually “seen babies die from said illnesses... in Amish communities where they don’t vaccine, disease runs rampant,”

 

“If you think you need to follow the advice of a porn star...” (I’m assuming she’s referring to Jenny McCarthy.)

 

“You’ll never be able to go to Target.” This was from the first pediatrician I saw after my son was born. This is what she told me when I brought up my concerns about vaccinating him.

I never went back and I never vaccinated him.

Her stupidity literally solidified my decision not to vaccinate. Made me question doctors and the vaccines even more.

 

After the first reaction, “I don’t understand why we need to stop vaccinating, he’s fine, babies do weird breathing things. You’re a brand new, overprotective mom. You don’t know.”

After the second, “Do you even know what a seizure is? Babies have jerky movements, babies die from these diseases, you don’t know more than me. He won’t be able to go to school.”

 

When my oldest was a newborn (she’ll be 20 in May) I took her for her first check up. The Ped (who I found out later was on some sort of board that supports vaccines) told me that I was “not smart to not vaccinate”.

 

White I took my son into the ER when he was little because he hit the back of his head off from the corner of our coffee table. Before they would do anything about his bleeding head they lectured me for a long time about how sick my kid could be from not vaccinating.

 

Before my son was born, I wanted to interview pediatricians before making a decision on who would care for him and basically see what their stance was on vaccines. Ended up going to Intermed in Yarmouth... after about 15 minutes of pleasant conversation I took a deep breath and brought up my fears about vaccines and my thoughts of delaying and skipping out on some altogether. Her demeanor towards me completely changed, arms crossed across chest. I felt very uncomfortable. She proceeded to tell me that she has watched babies die from not being vaccinated and that she would not feel comfortable treating my son basically if I did not follow her protocol and it might be better to find a different doctor. So I did.

 

Having my daughter in Maine, the internal fetal specialist I was seeing was hella supportive. However, after she was out I made my husband go with her. Just to be sure. Surely enough, a nurse came in my recovery room a short time later, having a little conniption because my husband wouldn't let them vaccinate her. I confirmed the denial. And voila! Just like that my post OP pain med order disappeared. Took 12 hours, the next shift, to get anything. It was late at night, I was trying to nurse and in so much pain tears silently streaming down my face, when my new nurse came on. I never got an apology. But I did get pain meds.

 

Why do you want to decline vaccines? You know the doctor that claimed vaccines cause autism was discredited and lost his license.

 

Interviewing pediatricians when I was pregnant with my first. Asked about delay or altering schedule and he basically Said I was doing wrong by my child to do anything other than all the vaccines on time.

 

"I believe not vaccinating your child is a form of child abuse." Later on in the conversation he says "you know I am a mandatory reporter. If I feel there is abuse in a family I am required to report it to the state."

 

"The AAP advises all infants with an unexplained fever must be cathed, have blood work taken and a spinal tap done. Otherwise you're going against medical advice in which we would notify CPS."

 

"All of my kids have been vaccinated and none have autism."

 

A hospital doctor gave my husband a hard time about our daughter who has cancer not being vaccinated. Wanted her to get vaccines while in the hospital with pneumonia.

 

"I see your son is due for his IPV, would you like to get him up to date today?"

"He is due for all vaccines, but we are religiously exempt. I'm concerned you would vaccinate him while sick, though."

"I practice science-based medicine"

"What does the science say about giving a polio vaccine to a child with a fever of 103 that youre currently unable to diagnose?"

 

“What are you afraid of...autism or something”

 

If you don't give your kid the chickenpox vaccine he could die.

 

Told by the nurse I WOULD give my child her shots after speaking with doctor. I meet with the doctor, he “ agrees” to no vaccines at this time since my daughter is so ill.. nurse comes in and opens the shots, tries to guilt me into doing them because they are open and can't be used on another child now... with stern voice and face clearly expressing I am the problem.

 

Took my twins in for their 2 month checkup. I knew I didn’t want to vaccinate that day. Wanted to wait until they were a bit older and space them out. I wasn’t even against necessarily getting the vaccines (at that time). My twins were breastfed, not in daycare, and their 3 older siblings were vaccinated. The doctor lost his mind on me. Raised his voice, belittled me, threatened me and said if I didn’t vaccinate that day I would have to SIGN a paper that said if my babies died it was my FAULT. We didn’t vaccinate and it was the last time we saw that pediatrician.

 

I had forgotten that I also was told by my first pediatrician that I had to sign the paper handed to me stating that I was willingly putting my child in danger.

 

"I will treat your children, but every time you come into my office I will remind you of the terrible choice you are making to not vaccinate."

 

“Tell me why were holding off on vaccines?”

“I can promise you vaccines do not cause autism if that’s what your worries about”

“Were gonna have to have a come to Jesus moment before he starts school”

 

Not a doctor for my child, but one of the nurses at the OB's office :

"You'll be getting the flu and tdap today."

"No thanks, should be a note in the chart from last appointment when it was mentioned, I will not be receiving those."

"You HAVE to get them."

"I don't HAVE to do anything, and I will absolutely NOT be getting any vaccinations."

"Well, we'll see what the doctor says."

" the doctor can say and make any recommendations that she wants, I'm still the one who gets to make the decision.... I am 100% unvaccinated, and I'm certainly not going to start while I'm pregnant."

 

“I hope you are ok with you child dying because that is what you are doing by not vaccinating him and if that happens I hope you can live with yourself.”

 

Went in for a sick visit with a ped who was not my ours many years ago. Nurse and dr wanted to vax even though she'd had a fever less than 12 hrs before. I had to school her on the CDC guidelines and even then she argued with me till I flat out told her she shouldn't have even asked that day due to the reason for our visit. (I was already not vaxing at that point and was at several rounds behind schedule.) Since then I've found most of the family has genetic mutations and possibility of congenital lyme etc. No way will I vaccinate.

Ever.

 

“I want you to know that you are risking your child’s life and if they die from something preventable, you will have to live with that”

 

"If you don’t vaccinate I’ll have to fire you from the practice."

 

I don’t recall the belittling exactly but it was there. A doctor who basically talked at you, and repeated the “vaccines are completely safe and they prevent disease “ laughed at us when we asked questions or voiced our reluctance and continued to repeat the vaccine mantra.

We asked for vaccine inserts but never returned.

 

“I’ve seen soooo many kids die of measles.”

 

“Why don’t you want to give her the vitamin k drops? But why? But why? What is your evidence?” - A nurse literally while pushing in labor

 

When bringing my then 7-year-old son to the surgeon for a follow up exam after his hernia repair, the surgeon told me, "He's all set! As long as he doesn't die of a communicable disease." In front of my 7-year-old.

 

When my youngest was 2 months old the pediatrician told us, “she could be bitten by a baby with hep b.” A couple weeks later I had to reschedule a follow-up because I was called into work (1st time cancellation) and we were dropped from her practice.

 

"Vaccines have nothing to do with religion."

 

"Your child will not be able to attend school."

 

"Don't believe everything you read on the internet."

 

"I'm the doctor here."

 

"We do not accept patients who are unvaccinated."

 

"Come back when you change your religious beliefs."

 

She told me two varicella vaccines were required for school.

 

I was pregnant with my first, it was swine flu scare. I had four doctor's including the OB corner me and say I'm a bad mother for not protecting my child. I took the shot, immediate remorse. Also switched to midwife.

 

I was told that I was ignorant and a terrible mother for wanting my kid to die. This was yelled at me while this Doctor blocked the door. This was 7 years ago This visit unfortunately I caved since I was cornered and yelled at. My son was hospitalized less than 12 hours later with reaction to

flu shot.

 

Generally the office I go to is pretty good about it, but a couple of the Dr's and one nurses have said things. Both Dr's said something like “Can you tell me why you are not getting vaccines?”

I usually answer with "I am confident with my choice, so we don't need to talk about it." That is followed by randomly throwing out "facts" to discredit the reasons that are generally assumed as why people choose not to vaccinate, like “Vaccines don't cause autism, if that is one of your concerns.”

The nurse made a comment at the end of an appointment for my 5 year old. She said "I don't think he will be able to go to school with out the MMR vaccine." I started to tell her that he would be able to due to Maine's exemptions, but she cut me off part way through saying "I know about those" as she walked off.

 

We actually had a PA write on a script for one of our kids, “not to expect this filled because they’re anti-Vaxers"

 

When looking for a doctor for my first child I talked with a doctor and when we asked about vaccines and the inserts the Doctor proceeded to repeat “ well it’s not like I’ll report you to the police if you don’t but ....”

 

At our first appointment with an osteopath (who told me she would work with us regarding not vaccinating), she laughed at my comments about vaccine injuries and she literally stuck her finger in my face and said “it’s because of people like YOU that pertussis is making a comeback!” I packed up all three girls (7, 3 and 1) and walked out. I never took them anywhere for Well Child visits after that. They’re now 19, 16, and 13, and healthy.

 

At every appointment I wasn't asked I was told "oh today you WILL be getting the tdap and flu shot, not sure why that didn't happen yet" every visit. I was never once asked. They just assume because its recommended they don't need to inform and get consent.

 

Just because your older son had a vaccine reaction (according to you) that’s not a reason to not vaccinate your youngest, or to stop continuing to vaccinate your oldest. Vaccines are very safe and effective, and you shouldn’t listen to google.

 

When our pediatrician announced he was retiring last summer, we were told that no other doctors in the practice would be a good fit for our family - after we had been patients since April 2002, and my kids are almost 100% vaccinated (one missing the MMR, and the other two missing tdap /

meningitis boosters).

 

This may be the saddest thread I’ve read in our group in a long time. The belittling and bullying that happens to (mostly) Moms is astonishing.

 

No we don’t get belittled or bullied. According to the media we are the ones doing the bullying.

 

As soon as we get in the room the nurse usually says something to the effect, today’s going to be rough you’ve got a lot of shots today. When I say I’m deferring I get the uncivil look and asked what the date or age I plan to give them. Education that diseases are “ in pockets” and that I will have to have extra nurse visits between physicals to get her caught up.

 

The doctor and nurse wore masks when I took my son to a different pediatrician for a referral because his sister isn't vaccinated and she was with us.

 

Vaccines are safe and effective. My kids are fully vaccinated and I've never seen a bad reaction with anyone I've treated. There is so much false information out there and that Dr's (she didn't know his name) license was revoked because of spreading false information. I really want to be your

son's Dr but you need to trust me.

 

"You might as well fill out your sons toe tag if you don’t vaccinate for chickenpox"

 

He also said that parents like me was the worst part of his job.

 

My daughter had a severe cough. Saw another doc not our usual doc.

Pediatrician: Has she had her flu shot?

Me: No.

Pediatrician: She has the flu.

Me: She doesn’t have the flu.

Him: Yes she does (barely examines her).

3 days later back at doctor who is our regular doc.

Good Pediatrician: Well good thing you brought her back. Her lungs are wheezing and she has bronchial pneumonia.

Me: Not the flu?

Good Pediatrician: God no. Why do you think that

Me: I didn’t...

 

I’ve had a few that just don’t listen to me and use fear mongering. They try to tell me my kids could die from chicken pox, but then I ask basic questions like how many kids die from the vaccine or what are the ingredients and they have no idea. I quickly realized I knew more about vaccines

then they did. Also while I was in labor several nurses were badgering me about vitamin K and hep B after I asked them to stop. The doctor called me in the middle of the night at the hospital to try to pressure me right after giving birth. I also speculate that they retaliated on me by referring my newborn to the nicu. Nothing ended up being wrong with her they tried to tell me something could be wrong with her intestines because of spit up and then tried again to get me to get vitamin K. She was the healthiest baby in the NICU. It was a horrifying experience though.

 

"As a medical professional you should know better than to deliberately put your child at risk for preventable diseases. At least give her the MMR vaccine."

 

Tried to ask questions .... "excuse me, i forgot about something" walked out and probably saw 2 more patients before coming back. I should have left, but i felt so awkward...

 

My pediatrician was transferring care of my 3 1/2 week old to a large hospital and told them I was biased and unreliable in part because I chose not to have the Hep B vaccine for my baby when she was discharged from 12 days in the NICU. He didn't know I could hear him talking.

Subsequently every doc and med student I encountered at the large hospital questioned my about why my baby ( 3 1/2 weeks old) was not vaccinated when she was there because she had a digestive issue requiring surgery!!

 

My almost 3 year old gets measles and autistic symptoms from MMR shot and her pediatrician said: "It's not from the vaccination. She started preschool three weeks ago, correct? She's either stressed from that or probably coming down with something."

 

I was a brand new mom with tiny 2 week old at first week child. Baby received her hep B shot, Afterward nurse told me 'oh she might have a reaction to this'.... I stopped all further vaccines until I learned more..... got an threatening letter in the mail from me doctor telling me I was negligent and could be calling on CPS.

 

My child contracted pertussis when she was 2, from a recently vaccinated child at a birthday party. When I had her tested, I was told that I was negligent in regards to not vaccinating and that I was responsible for adding to the “disease problem” in the area. I was then lied to and told my insurance wouldn’t continue to cover visits unless my child was up to date on vaccines. I left the practice.

 

My pediatrician harassed me at every single visit and each visit I told him I was delaying all vaccines until 2 years old. I got a lot of eye rolls and snarky comments from the nurses but my doctor was always civil. Over my twins' first year we learned…

 

I was cornered in our Pediatrician’s office (by the dr) as she told me if I didn’t sign the form saying I’m knowingly harming my child that she will call the police and have me arrested.

We fired her as our dr and changed to another dr in the office that respects our wishes.

We were told by cds after they had rescheduled us several times (waited over 6 months just for an eval) that the evaluator is canceling our appointment because our children are not vaccinated. Then they told me I’ll have to wait while they found an evaluator that would be willing to “take the risk” of coming to our home. I cancelled all services with cds and paid for an independent evaluation.

 

I was told my child wouldn't be allowed to attend public school (he does) and was told that he would die a painful death and I would have to live with knowing I was responsible.

 

“Would you like to watch a video so you can become educated?”

I have a son with a rare disease. He is approx. 1/900 in the world. We went to a new pediatrician on our new health plan. During our visit I was told his case was too complicated, why didn’t I schedule more time and that I could vaccinate. I declined. No questions about my son, his condition and our choices. I then received a letter in the mail stating I could come back only if I was willing to follow the CDC guidelines. We were fired.

 

At an appointment to confirm pregnancy with my now 3yo, I declined the flu shot for myself.

When I wouldn’t give in, the PA very forcefully said, “If you don’t get the flu shot, your baby could die!” I was so furious.

 

“The Hep B is the least harmless. That’s the one I would recommend if you’re hesitant.”

 

"DHHS investigates for neglect if you wait too long to catch up" (wic office Bangor)

I always lied about my sons vaccine status after that. My biggest anxiety when he got sick or hurt was the doctors asking his vaccine status and whether they could read through my lies.

 

I hate hate hate when they ask me if my kids are up to date. Major anxiety.

 

I grew up a lot in that moment. That was the first time I had to physically advocate for my son I had to push the nurse away who was holding the needle and make her leave to check his chart to confirm he just had that shot. While she lunged at him insisting I was wrong.

 

"Is there a reason why we're only giving one shot today?"

 

I was told “that’s fine, if you want to take the chance of your child to dying of a preventable disease that’s your choice.”

 

When my child was injured (which is why we no longer do vacc

 

My daughters PCP looked my 11 yr old daughter in the eye (in front of me) and said, “I’m sorry your mother is putting you at risk for cancer.”

When I refused HPV vaccine. :(

 

I refused the HPV shot for my 11 year old SON. She told me I needed to give it to him to protect the girls he's going to have sex with. When I told her I did research and didn't want him to have it, she said here's some websites only use these websites to research vaccines because other websites aren't accurate. She wouldn't drop it until I promised I would research through her websites.

 

"I guarantee nothing bad will happen because of these vaccines." Dr Howard Silversmith, June 20, 2003. 27 hours later he would advise a panicked mom who was a licenced Emergency Medical Technician, that the seizure she witnessed while taking Cyndimae out of her car seat was probably REM sleep. Her next seizure was less than two hours later while sitting in her high chair eating.

 

In the hospital when my 7 month old had a high fever.. the ER doctor, “Because of your ignorance, your son could die from meningitis!” (He hadn't been tested and I had the sense to refuse the spinal test and leave.)

 

"Your child will most likely die from one of these diseases"... I told her that was enough and she said "I just need to tell you this from our side" whatever that means.

 

My last pediatrician visit ended up being an hour long debate when I told him that I was no longer vaccinating my 11 year old that had already had ALL the 50 something vaccines on the schedule. He wanted to give her 4 more different injections at this visit!

 

I was considering a delayed schedule with my youngest a year ago and the pedi at the time told me I would be traumatizing her to bring her in and have her get shots so often instead of all at once. I can’t remember all the details but she basically made me feel like a horrible person for even

considering a delayed schedule.

 

Our PA wanted/insisted on doing my sons Chicken Pox vaccine, it was a heated debate over why I needed to do this. I said, Fine I'll think about it between now and our next well-child check. My son came down with chicken pox on his own before the next well-child check. (I will add, that when I

offered to bring him in so that they could verify it, they said no that was fine they'd just make a note in his chart.)

 

I was told that if my son ever had a febrile seizure again from a high fever it would be my fault and if he died it would be on me. This was after I confronted him about my son having a 8 min long febrile seizure after the MMR shot. He said that was not a side effect of the MMR vaccine. Haven’t taken him back since.

 

I am literally honestly afraid to take my kids to the doctors!

 

My 10 year old started getting seizures after her 4 month shots, was diagnosed with epilepsy at 5 months old, she had her last seizure when she was 6. None of this ever dawned on me until I went back and looked at her chart and it all made sense. One time my husband found her and she wasn’t breathing, by the grace of God she’s still here. I so wish I knew what I know now. But those eight minutes holding my son was the worst thing I’ve ever experienced in my life and the doctor said it was no big deal.

 

It is so crazy. My son started stopping breathing in his sleep after 2 mos shots only dtap because my gut was telling me no more. Dr dismissed it. At 4 mos bullied me into hib and Pneumococcal and seizures for the next 5 months. Dr told me babies have jerky movements and I didn’t know what a seizure was the joke was on him since I have a BA in neuroscience. Fired him!

 

When I look back I can definitely see how each of my five children all had different reactions, but yet the doctor never believed me which is so infuriating. But now my children know and no longer want shots, my oldest speaks out a lot about them. I just wish more people would understand

 

My mother was harassed to the point of crying and feeling she couldn't leave and eventually consented to one vaccine (DTaP) when I was 13 months old. She was told to leave the room while they did it and locked out.

 

I’ve been called multiple times about my daughters mmr and to schedule. I have been told that I am not a doctor and these decisions are important for my child’s life.

 

I went to the pediatrician because my daughter had a severe diaper rash and nothing I did was helping. The dr we normally see wasn’t available so we had to see a different one. What should have been a 15 minute visit ended up being over an hour of this man telling me over and over how uneducated I am and that I’m clearly too young to be a good mother (I’m 25) that if I wasn’t going to “properly care for” my daughter I should give her to a family who will, how autism isn’t caused by vaccines (I never said it was)and they are COMPLETELY safe and no one is ever harmed, he went on to say that my daughter’s rash was DEFINITELY a reaction to “lack of vaccinations” he ended the conversation with me in tears and said “when your baby dies don’t come to us looking for answers.”

 

My son was bruising his head, banging it incessantly after 6 month vaccines. Our pediatrician laughed and said it was "normal baby behaviour." Um .... or not. Obviously left that practice.

During the 2015 hearings on LD 606, the bill to remove the philosophical exemption, Peter Michaud told the committee, "As you know I represent the Maine Medical Association. I have heard a lot of horrible things about doctors today. And you'll believe what you believe based on what you've heard. I refuse to believe that so many doctors in this state are unfeeling, are horribly rude, are bullies, don't have the best interests of their patients in mind.”

Keep in mind that it is the policy of the Maine Medical Association not to believe any of the stories that you just read from Maine mothers.