Mandates, Injuries, and Mistrust: Why Vaccine Choice Matters More Than Ever— And Why You Deserve the Right to Say No

Why I No Longer Trust the System

By - Rob Esposito

Colleague,

I was out to dinner with my brothers and their wives the other day when my brother brought up childhood vaccinations—he's about to become a grandfather for the first time. What followed was a lively round-table discussion among non-healthcare professionals, and it turned out to be really thought-provoking.

The key takeaway for me? Childhood vaccinations should be a decision made by parents, not something mandated by the government.

With all the current controversy surrounding the measles outbreak and what seems like a flood of misinformation, I am compelled to share a few thoughts.

Some of you might read this and think, “Well, yeah, of course.” But after that conversation with my family, I figured it was worth putting my perspective down on paper.

Thanks for reading,

Rob

I Didn’t Start Out This Way

Like most people, I grew up trusting vaccines (and medical doctors). I believed they were safe, effective, and essential. I lined up at school for shots. I brought my own kids to their well visits and checked off the boxes. I didn’t question it—because why would I? Everyone around me believed the same thing.

But over time, I began to notice something that made me uneasy. It wasn’t a single event. It was a pattern—subtle, but undeniable. A reaction here. A regression there. A friend’s child who changed after a round of shots. A doctor who brushed off a parent’s concern. A warning label I didn’t remember seeing. And then I began to do what we’re told not to do: I started reading for myself.

What I found wasn’t comforting. It was unsettling because it contradicted the narrative I’d trusted my whole life. It raised questions that the medical system didn’t want to answer. And what became clear to me is this: vaccines are not one-size-fits-all, they are not without harm, and they are not above scrutiny. My trust started to crumble, not because of what I read on social media but because of what I saw in real life and what I failed to hear from the people I was told to trust.

More People Are Injured Than We’re Told

The government admits that vaccines can cause serious injury. That’s not a theory—it’s federal law. Since 1988, the U.S. National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP) has paid out over $4.9 billion in taxpayer money to families whose children were permanently harmed or killed after vaccination.

Those are only the successful claims. Of the more than 28,000 cases filed, thousands were denied—even when injuries were clear—because the process is complex, stacked against families, and often takes years. It’s a legal battle most parents don’t even know exists until it’s too late.

Then there’s VAERS—the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System. The CDC itself admits that this passive surveillance system captures only a fraction of actual injuries. A 2010 study funded by the Department of Health and Human Services estimated that less than 1% of vaccine adverse events are ever reported. That means the real number of injuries may be staggeringly higher than what we’re shown.

If your child stops speaking, stops walking, or starts seizing within hours or days of a vaccine, chances are you’ll be told it’s a coincidence. But when enough coincidences pile up, we don’t call that bad luck—we call it a pattern. Ignoring that pattern does not make us safer. It makes us vulnerable.

And those patterns have names—real children, real families.

Consider Hannah Poling, a healthy toddler who regressed into autism-like symptoms following multiple vaccines administered in one visit in 2000. Her case was one of the few acknowledged by the VICP. The government conceded that vaccines “significantly aggravated an underlying mitochondrial disorder,” leading to “a regressive encephalopathy with features of autism.”

Or Ryan Mojabi, whose parents described how their son developed severe brain inflammation (encephalopathy) within days of receiving his MMR shot. In 2013, the U.S. Court of Federal Claims ruled in their favor and awarded compensation.

Then there’s Angelica Black, a vibrant 12-year-old who developed a disabling nervous system disorder after receiving the Gardasil HPV vaccine. She experienced chronic pain, fatigue, and loss of motor function. Though her family’s legal battle is still ongoing, her story has resonated with many others who reported similar symptoms.

These aren’t anti-vaccine activists. These are parents. Nurses. Soldiers. Teachers. People who believed what we were all taught and then lived through the unthinkable.

Allergies Are a Clue—And We’re Ignoring It

Nearly 1 in 3 Americans now suffer from allergies. Not mild sniffles—full-blown, immune-system-overreaction-to-harmless-substance allergies. Pollen. Nuts. Dust. Shellfish. These are not rare anomalies—they are everyday realities. And they represent a massive clue that our immune systems are not functioning the way they should.

Over the last several decades, we’ve seen an alarming rise in childhood allergic conditions: eczema, asthma, peanut and dairy allergies, and environmental sensitivities. This is not normal. The human immune system, developed over millennia, doesn't forget how to function in one generation unless something disrupts its development.

We know the immune system can overreact violently to benign triggers. And yet we’re supposed to believe that injecting infants with multiple antigens, adjuvants, preservatives, stabilizers, animal proteins, and trace toxins—sometimes six or more shots in one visit—poses no meaningful risk of triggering that same immune overreaction?

This isn’t a fringe concern. It’s immunology 101. And yet, it’s rarely discussed. The immune system doesn’t distinguish between a peanut in your mouth and aluminum in your bloodstream—it reacts to what it sees as a threat. And for some kids, that threat isn’t the virus in the wild; it’s the needle in the doctor’s office.

Studies now suggest that certain vaccine adjuvants, especially aluminum salts, may trigger inflammatory or autoimmune pathways in genetically susceptible individuals. Given that our population is already experiencing unprecedented levels of immune dysregulation, it is prudent to exercise caution when considering the introduction of additional immune-stimulating substances, particularly during critical developmental periods.

Parents have observed it for years: a round of shots, followed by hives, rashes, food aversions, gut issues, the start of asthma, and behavioral changes. None of this proves causation, but all of it begs for investigation. Yet time and again, we’re told to ignore our eyes and trust the experts.

If allergies are the canary in the coal mine of immune dysfunction, why aren’t we asking what role an overloaded vaccine schedule might be playing in this epidemic of immune disorders?

The Schedule Has Exploded—With No Long-Term Safety Studies

In 1986, the same year Congress gave vaccine makers legal immunity from lawsuits, children received 12–15 doses of vaccines by age 18. Today, depending on the combinations used and the number of annual flu shots and boosters, that number can be as high as 100 or more doses by the time a child turns 18.

This includes not just the standard CDC-recommended immunizations but also yearly influenza shots, COVID-19 doses, and combinations of vaccines administered in a single visit. A chart compiled from CDC data and state health department schedules shows how the total quickly adds up when accounting for multiple doses, boosters, and overlapping vaccine requirements.

That’s not a small increase—it’s an explosion in exposure. And still, we’re told it’s perfectly safe.

But where are the long-term, placebo-controlled studies that compare fully vaccinated vs. unvaccinated children? They don’t exist. The FDA doesn’t require vaccine makers to study cumulative effects. There are no large, controlled studies looking at neurological outcomes, autoimmune disorders, or chronic illness rates between groups. Why not?

If this schedule is as safe as they claim, why are over 54% of U.S. children now living with a chronic illness? According to the CDC and the National Center for Health Statistics, more than half of U.S. children are diagnosed with at least one chronic condition—including asthma, allergies, ADHD, and autoimmune disorders. Why are these numbers rising in lockstep with the expansion of the vaccine schedule? Why are we seeing more anaphylaxis, more eczema, and more gastrointestinal disorders? Why are we treating childhood sickness as the new normal rather than asking hard questions about environmental and pharmaceutical exposures, including vaccines?

I’m not saying vaccines are the only cause. But I am saying it’s outrageous that we haven’t asked the question in any meaningful scientific way. And it’s dangerous that anyone who dares to suggest we should study it is immediately labeled a threat.

Doctors Are Told What to Think, Not How to Think

I’ve spoken with pediatricians—some in private, off the record—who admit they get very little training in vaccine safety beyond "they’re safe and effective." They’re taught to memorize the schedule, follow the CDC, and dismiss parental concerns. Most haven’t read a single vaccine package insert. Most don’t know what’s in the shots they give every day.

Medical students typically receive just a few hours of education on the vaccine schedule and are not trained to critically assess vaccine risks or adverse events. Instead, they’re encouraged to promote compliance and reassure parents using scripted language. Their knowledge often comes from CDC handouts or pharmaceutical-sponsored seminars, not independent research.

Many doctors are not taught to recognize vaccine injuries when they happen. Instead, they’re trained to look for unrelated causes. When a child seizes or loses language shortly after a round of shots, the instinct is to blame genetics, coincidence, or stress—anything but the vaccine. This creates a system where early warning signs are missed, and harmed families are gaslit or dismissed.

How can we call this informed consent when the doctors themselves aren’t fully informed?

And let’s be honest—many parents are afraid to even ask questions. They know they’ll be labeled "anti-vax" just for expressing doubt or hesitation. That’s not medicine. That’s dogma. Medicine should be about dialogue, not decree. Parents shouldn’t have to choose between blind compliance and social exile.

A truly ethical system would empower doctors to think independently, evaluate new evidence, and respond to each patient's specific needs. It would value open discussion and encourage questions. Until that happens, we are not practicing real science; we’re enforcing policy.

Trust Is Earned—And It’s Been Broken

Pharmaceutical companies make billions from vaccines. They face no liability if your child is injured. This legal immunity was granted under the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, which shifted all financial responsibility for injuries to the U.S. government—and ultimately, taxpayers. Since then, manufacturers have had every incentive to expand the childhood schedule while assuming none of the risk.

These same companies spend millions annually lobbying lawmakers and funding the agencies meant to regulate them. According to OpenSecrets.org, pharmaceutical and health product companies spent over $374 million on lobbying in 2022 alone, more than any other industry in the United States. The CDC itself accepts funding through the CDC Foundation, which receives private donations—including from vaccine manufacturers—creating at the very least a conflict of interest.

In addition to lobbying, pharmaceutical companies spend billions on advertising, particularly on television, print, and online media. In fact, the pharmaceutical industry is one of the largest sources of ad revenue for mainstream media outlets. This financial dependency creates an environment where networks and publishers have a vested interest in protecting their sponsors. Raising critical questions about vaccine safety or highlighting injury cases becomes not only taboo but a direct financial risk. This economic influence makes true journalistic scrutiny of vaccine policy nearly impossible in the mainstream press.

When a parent comes forward with a story of harm, they are silenced, mocked, or ignored. When doctors speak out—like Dr. Bob Sears, a California pediatrician placed on probation in 2018 for granting medical exemptions, or Dr. Paul Thomas, whose license was temporarily suspended in 2020 after publishing data comparing health outcomes of vaccinated vs. unvaccinated children—they are investigated, de-platformed, or punished.

Social media platforms began a widespread censorship campaign between 2019 and 2021, removing vaccine injury groups, banning “misinformation,” and even blocking stories of personal medical experiences. High-profile films like Vaxxed were pulled from platforms. Entire communities of parents were erased from Facebook and YouTube for sharing their truths.

Scientific journals have retracted articles exploring vaccine-related injury mechanisms, such as those by aluminum researcher Dr. Christopher Exley, often without full transparency or scientific rebuttal. These are not fringe voices—they are credentialed researchers and practicing physicians whose work raised inconvenient questions.

This doesn’t build trust. It destroys it. A trustworthy system would welcome transparency, reward whistleblowers, and correct errors when they are found. But the current system punishes the very people it should be protecting.

Science is not a shield to silence dissent. True science invites questions, debate, and accountability. But in the world of vaccines, questions are treated as dangerous. That’s how you know something isn’t right.

Choice Isn’t Dangerous—It’s Ethical

I’m not asking anyone to make the same choice I did. I’m asking for the right to make it.

The right to delay. The right to opt out. The right to decline. The right to say, "Not this one. Not right now. Not for my child."

If vaccines are so safe, why are we forcing them?

If they work so well, why are we mandating them for diseases that pose virtually no risk to healthy children?

If injury is so rare, why can’t we let the few who are cautious make that decision for themselves?

Medical freedom is the cornerstone of ethical healthcare. It means having the autonomy to make decisions based on your own risk assessment, your family history, and your lived experience. It means having a real conversation with your doctor—not a scripted lecture. It means weighing benefits and risks without fear of being judged, shamed, or punished.

Parents know their children best. We monitor every reaction, symptom, and behavioral change. When our instincts raise red flags, we should be empowered to act on them, not silenced by protocol. And when the law removes our ability to say “no,” it doesn’t increase trust—it obliterates it.

Mandates don’t serve the vulnerable. They harm them. They ignore the unique needs of the child who had a seizure after a prior shot. They steamroll over the family with a genetic predisposition to autoimmune disease. They erase the voices of those who’ve already been hurt.

Medical choice is not a threat to public health. It is the foundation of ethical care. In a truly free society, no medical intervention—no matter how beneficial it may appear—should ever be mandated, especially not for our children.

Conclusion: My Line in the Sand

This isn’t about politics. It’s not about left or right. It’s about bodily autonomy, parental rights, and medical freedom.

I don’t claim to have all the answers. But I do know that my grandchild’s health is not up for debate. I know that informed consent includes the right to say "no." I know that real trust requires honesty, transparency, and accountability.

And I know this: No one, not the CDC, not a pharmaceutical company, and not even your family doctor—should ever have more say over your body or your child’s body than you do.

That is a line I will not cross.

What You Can Do

1. Educate Yourself: Read vaccine inserts, explore independent studies, and examine real-world data. Don’t just rely on media headlines or official slogans—dig deeper.

2. Report Reactions: If you or your child experiences a vaccine reaction, report it to VAERS (Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System). It matters—even if you think no one is listening. You can submit a report online at https://vaers.hhs.gov/reportevent.html.

3. Speak Up: Share your story with others. Speak to your community, your lawmakers, your school board. Silence only strengthens the status quo.

4. Find a Supportive Practitioner: Seek doctors and health professionals who honor informed consent, who listen, and who will talk with you, not talk over you. Start by asking local natural health communities for referrals. Look into integrative, functional, naturopathic, or holistic practitioners, as many of them take a more individualized approach to care. Resources like the International Federation for Medical Freedom, ICAN’s Practitioner Directory, or NVIC’s Advocacy Portal can help you locate like-minded professionals.

5. Advocate for Medical Freedom: Support legislation that protects your right to choose and opposes coercive mandates. Join organizations that defend parental rights. Look for local advocacy groups such as Health Choice, Children's Health Defense, or Informed Consent Action Network (ICAN). Attend school board meetings, write to your legislators, and stay engaged in local and national policy changes. Use your voice to defend informed consent and fight for policies that respect medical choice. Support legislation that protects your right to choose and opposes coercive mandates. Join organizations that defend parental rights.

6. Connect with Others: You are not alone. Thousands of parents and individuals are waking up to the same concerns. Find community—online or in person—and build strength through solidarity.

7. Trust Your Instincts: If something feels wrong, it probably is. No one cares more about your child’s health than you. You are their first and most important line of defense.

Thanks

Rob Esposito

President

For Your Practice, Inc

ForYourPractice.com

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References

1. CDC Childhood Immunization Schedule: Vaccines & Immunizations | Vaccines & Immunizations | CDC

2. National Vaccine Information Center (NVIC) Vaccine Schedule Chart: Frequently Asked Questions | National Vaccine Information Center (NVIC)

3. VAERS Underreporting Estimate – Harvard Pilgrim Study: https://digital.ahrq.gov/sites/default/files/docs/publication/r18hs017045-lazarus-final-report-2011.pdf

4. VICP Compensation Data: Vaccine Injury Compensation Data | HRSA

5. CDC Chronic Health Statistics in Children: Managing Chronic Health Conditions | Managing Health Conditions in School | CDC

6. Hannah Poling case summary: Vaccine Injury Case Offers a Clue to the Causes of Autism | Scientific American

7. Ryan Mojabi case coverage: U.S., Italian Courts Award Millions for Vaccine-Autism Cases - AGE OF AUTISM Campbell Smith.mojabi Proffer.12.13.2012 - DocShare.tips

8. Angelica Black story: Former Mooresville child compensated by federal ‘vaccine court’ | Charlotte Observer