What is the big deal with vaccines, anyway?

[Guest guest]

I am really clueless as to why the CDC and the American Association of

Pediatrics paint a picture of dire doom if I don't vaccinate my children with

the MMR vaccination. Growing up in Germany in the 70's, I came down with it all:

Measles, Mumps, and Chicken Pox. And so did my sister and of course all my

friends! And yet, we lived to tell the tale. Have those diseases mutated into

strains that are now deadly? Yes, it was uncomfortable for a couple of weeks,

but more so for my mom since my sister and I played tag with the outbreaks. Am I

being really ignorant for not feeling as panicked as I should be since my kids

are no longer being vaccinated?