A foster mom is willing to give up a baby if she’s forced to get him a flu shot. Jamie Smith of Tacoma, Washington, will give up her new foster son if she’s ordered by the state to comply with a mandate which requires foster families to get children under the age of 2 in their care vaccinated or they’ll have them taken away.
KOMO News reports that Smith has cared for seven foster children total, and that includes a baby born Christmas Day.
The foster mother has a serious concern about how the vaccine affects the brain because of mercury. She’s so vehemently opposed to the flu vaccine that she’d rather give up the baby. Her husband has had the vaccine, but that’s because his employer requires it in order for him to keep his job.
The Department of Social and Health Services has no plans for changing their mandate on flu shots, despite issues that have been brought to their attention. They say the vaccinations are required because they’re designed to protect children at an age most vulnerable to getting sick.
Smith says that she’s done research on the vaccination and is against it.
“I’ve done a lot of research on it and I don’t like some of the side effects that it has. Unfortunately, I have to think about our kids who are in the house first and to me they’re more important, their safety, than trying to fight to keep this little guy.”
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, flu vaccines are safe and have very little side effects. They state on their website that “seasonal flu vaccines have had very good safety track records” for over 50 years. It says most effects are “mild.”
The site reads that the CDC and U.S. Food and Drug Administration “closely monitor for any signs that flu vaccines are causing unexpected adverse events and are working with state and local health officials to investigate any unusual events.”
Smith has until the end of February to meet Washington’s flu shot deadline, but she’s trying to get the mandate changed.
“I’m hoping that we can raise enough of a voice that the state will at least give waivers or do something so the children won’t be taken out of their homes.”
The foster mom is willing to give up her foster baby if she’s given an ultimatum about getting him a flu shot. Do you support or disagree with her decision?
[Image via KOMO News ]