We have a mumps outbreak. Seriously.

I don't really like to get on soapboxes. Well, that's not really true. I love to rant to my friends and family. It's actually one of my favorite things. But, I don't really like to argue or fight with people about issues I know people disagree with me about, especially on facebook or something like that. Most of my facebook friends are on the same vaccine page as I am, but I'm pretty sure some are not. I'm not going to give all the reasons or state arguments. And I'm not going to engage in a debate because there is absolutely no chance in the world that I am going to change my mind. I'm going to simply say two facts:

1. There was a measles outbreak at Disneyland. Two of my friends were there with their young babies, too young to have received the MMR. Their babies could have easily gotten sick. Measles could have killed them because they are so young and vulnerable. This is very serious.

2. I found out from my OB today that there is a mumps outbreak currently occurring right here. Since mumps has not been an issue in so long, the majority of adults don't bother to get a booster and therefore when they get exposed to an unvaccinated, infected child, they contract the disease. You can bet I'll be getting a booster for myself and Joe as soon as little Bebo is born.

This is real life. These are diseases we've forgotten about because we are privileged and lucky to live in a country where vaccinations are readily available to us. Don't let fear mongering trap you and blind you. Don't take the blessing of living in this country for granted. There are children in the third world literally dying for these vaccines that first world parents are turning their noses up at. We've forgotten how devastating and terrible these diseases were. We've forgotten how many children lost their lives to them.

Be wise. Be thoughtful. And if you decide you believe the stories about "big pharma" and autism and whatever other thing you think makes it safer to risk your own child and other children, and you don't vaccinate, fine. Just stay away from the rest of us.

This article sums up a lot.