People have lots of feelings about vaccinations.
Like, so many feelings.
It’s been a hot topic in recent years because more and more people believe that vaccinations are harmful.
Of course, science says otherwise, and so does history: diseases like smallpox and polio haven’t been in issue in decades in the U.S.
You know, because of vaccinations.
But still, some people think otherwise.
And it turns out that Kailyn Lowry is one of those people.
Mom of Three
Kailyn has three sons: Isaac, her oldest son with ex Jo Rivera, Lincoln, the kid she had with Javi Marroquin, and of course there’s Lux, the baby she shares with Chris Lopez.
Criticism
And honestly, a lot of Teen Mom fans are torn on their views of her as a parent.
Solid Points
Some believe that she’s an amazing mother, and that she’s doing an especially awesome job with her kids considering her own upbringing.
Hmmm …
Others say that having three children with three different men is just too chaotic.
A Solution
But as torn as Teen Mom viewers have been on the subject, this latest revelation has pretty much everyone on the same side.
Apologies!
And sorry, but it’s definitely not the pro-Kailyn side.
Uh Oh
The bad times started on this week’s episode of her podcast when a listener sent in a question about vaccines.
The Question
“Wondering if you and Kail can talk about the well-known controversy of vaccines,” the person wrote to Kailyn’s co-host, Lindsie. “I’m a mother of three and I’ve always said that I would never be ‘that mom,’ but recently I’ve read so many horrifying stories about vaccines like the MMR, some absolutely devastating stories.”
Opinions
“I vaccinated my two older girls and never even thought twice about it, but now I’m paranoid to vaccinate my five-month baby boy. I would love to know both of your opinions,” the woman finished.
Oh No …
Kailyn began her answer by saying “I definitely think this is a controversial topic, and I don’t want to lose listeners because of my opinion — but, I did vaccinate Isaac, because to me, I didn’t know any better, and I gave — I let them vaccinate him with whatever they basically said that he needed.”
Getting Ugly
She said she got Isaac vaccinated because she “didn’t know any better” … you can see where this is going, right?
Ugh
She continued driving that point home, saying “I feel like I was ignorant, and didn’t do research, and didn’t know any better.â€Â
Then Lincoln …
After that, when she had Lincoln, she said “I knew a little bit more, and I started to research more, and that’s when I think the conversations of vaccines started to really be going on with me and my friends that became moms.”
Of Course
“And there were documentaries on Netflix, and all kinds of, just, news that I would try to look into. Lincoln did not get all of his vaccines. I definitely picked and chose which ones I felt like were necessary, and he did not get them all at once.â€Â
Oh
As for Lux, she explained that “He hasn’t ever really been sick, and for me, I just think the more research that I do, and the more educated I’ve become, I just don’t vaccinate him.”
Doing What’s Best
“So, that’s my opinion,” she concluded, “and I don’t judge Lindsey if she chooses to vaccinate, or anyone else who chooses to vaccinate — that’s your prerogative. You’re a parent, you know what’s best for your child, and I’m not here to judge.â€Â
MAKE IT STOP
Lindsie’s stance was even wilder — she said “We did vaccinate, and we did it on an alternate schedule, so it wasn’t on the schedule that is the recommended schedule. And I did do some research before vaccinating, and what I found was that there have been links from the MMR vaccine to autism.”
A Professional Opinion
“And that definitely scared me a lot because I think autism is more prevalent in boys, so that really, really scared me,” she added. “And I was, like, ‘OK, I need to talk to a pediatrician about this because this could not be good,’ you know? ‘I need more information than what I’ve just found on the internet. I need, like, a professional opinion.’”
Just No
“And to be perfectly honest, my pediatrician, and any of the other moms that I talked to in regards to vaccines, all pediatricians are 100% pro-vaccine, so you’re going to get, like, that one medical side. And you’ve got to consider, too, that it’s a business.â€Â
By the Way
It feels important to note here that there is no link between vaccines and autism, and the quack doctor who suggested there was a link later admitted that he made everything up. He lost his medical license and was also sent to jail.
Something to Consider
Also, maybe all doctors are pro-vaccine because they don’t want children to suffer and possibly die from preventable illnesses?
Facts
And sure, there are some people who have adverse reactions to vaccines, but they’re definitely in the minority.
Come On
And skipping vaccines doesn’t only affect your child, it affects people with compromised immune systems, babies too young to get their own vaccines, the elderly … it really is a big deal.
Fair
That’s why Kail is getting so much backlash for her comments.
Seriously!
“Seriously?” one person tweeted. “I was a fan of @KailLowry until now. Anti vaxers are the worst & the reason why there’s a measles outbreak in my state & Oregon right now. People are so uneducated/stupid. Vaccines save lives. I thought Kail was smarter than that. I guess not.”
Not the Nuggets!
Another person wrote “I just hope that when people say they’ve ‘done research’ that they mean clinical trials and not mommy blogs. There are more dangerous chemicals in a chicken nugget than a vaccine.”
The Trust
One comment read “So if you dont trust the doctors enough when it comes to the vaccines, I guess you dont trust them when you or your kids get sick either? You use Netflix og Google doctor instead, right? You have no idea what kind of damage you do with this, ppl listen to you!”
So Scary
“So what happens when Lincoln brings the flu home to Javi’s new baby?!” one of Kailyn’s followers asked. “It’s dangerous for a 5 year old but it is deadly for a newborn. Just wow.”
Ouch
Some people even think that MTV should step in and say something about her statements — one of those people said “F-cking stupid! This is probably some sad attempt to keep the light on her and the show. @TeenMom should take a closer look at what this promoting and do something about it.”
Regrets
Others cut straight to the point with comments like these: “Not sure how putting your children at risk is what’s best for them but I guess if they wind up getting sick (they caught something on one of your trips overseas where vaccinations aren’t as common), you’ll be the one in the hospital w them & your regrets.”
Not Bothered
But before you start to think that all these negative comments hurt her feelings, don’t worry.
A-OK!
Because Kailyn has already addressed the controversy in a statement to In Touch!
Interesting
“I mean, I guess the only thing I can really say and continue to stand for is to parent how it’s best for your child and family,” she said.
Uh, Thanks?
“People don’t love everything I do but I don’t shove my beliefs down anyone else’s throat.”
For the Best
“I know what’s best for my kids and other parents know what’s best for theirs,” she finished.
What Next?
So where do we go from here? Will Kailyn face any consequences for her words? Will her mind be changed by all the negative comments she’s received?
Who Knows?!
Guess we’ll have to wait and see!