Autism and Immuniztions?

Question

Recently, my husband has heard, and I have been reading that autism could be related to the vaccination that your child gets at 15 months. I am scared now, whether to get it or not to get it. Any advice?

Answer 1

You may be talking about the MMR, which this vaccine does not now, nor has ever contained thimerosal.

In 1999, it was RECOMMENDED that thimerosal be phased out of vaccines, however up until 2002-03 (and maybe later) some vaccines contain thimerosal because they were still on the shelf and their shelf life had not expired. Some vaccines still contain what is considered a "trace" amount of thimerosal, and many are produced and processed with thimerosal which is filtered out at the end of the production. Most flu vaccines given to pregnant women and children do contain thimerosal and you generally have to request or have your doctor order a thimerosal free flu vaccine.

Back to the MMR; the MMR vaccine contains three different vaccines in one. What has been found in some, but not all, children with autism is the measles virus in their intestinal track. This was studied by Dr. Andrew Wakefield, and was a published study in The Lancet 1998(Feb 28);351:637-641). This study has also recently been replicated by a doctor in the US, but his study continues and has not yet been published. Its been discovered that these children, mine being one of them, that with this virus in their digestive track that they cannot properly digest vitamins, minerals, and certain food proteins. Thus not being able to digest their food properly has hurt their brains, and their body systems. Their brains have become swollen, and they are sick from the food they cannot digest. Many of these children, once the offending foods are removed and they are given high doses of vitamins and minerals start recovering from this state they are in. Because their brains are effected, and they are not getting proper nurishment they have reactions. This can included, but not limited to, stimming behaviors, crying, tantrums, spacey behavior, not sleeping, bowel movement problems, skin rashes and eczema.

If you are concerned about MMR, I would suggest a book called "What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Children's Vaccinations" by Dr. Stephanie Cave. I'd like to note that this book is not anti vaccine, but explains about vaccines and offers parents a schedule that they may feel more comfortable following.
I commend you and your husband for questioning this, and as you read more you may feel better about vaccines, or how you want to go about a vaccine schedule for your child.

Lastly, another book I suggest, is called "Evidence of Harm" by David Kirby. This book outlines some comments from others here, explains in much greater detail the timeline of how thimerosal came to be in our vaccines, how it came to be removed and what has become of it. The author has publicly declared he is also not anti vaccine, but as a former NYTimes writer wanted to put the truth out, and he has done so in a very non biased manner.


I've listed links to the Lancet study, a news article regarding the US doctor (Dr Krigsman) who is finding the same as Dr. Wakefield, and a couple books from Amazon that you might want to purchase or borrow from your local library.

Answer 2

What your husband is talking about is the controversy about thimerisol... a mercury-based additive that was used as a preservative in vaccinations. Since 1999, it has been removed from all vaccinations except for the flu shot. It is completely safe to get your child vaccinated, and much safer than NOT having them vaccinated. The autism community did have concerns over the amount of mercury present in the vaccinations, and took their concerns to the FDA, who has since mandated the removal of the additive. Autism's cause is still unknown, but it was thought (and enough evidence supported it to have thimerisol removed) that the small amounts of mercury could not be excreted in some children's immune systems, and that the resulting "extra" mercury caused brain damage. You can check out more information on the Autism Society of America's website. Don't miss your child's vaccinations... you could put them more at risk for developing those diseases. And, as your child gets older and ready for school, he will need those vaccinations to enter school (unless you claim that he did not receive them for "religious reasons").

Answer 3

Check with your state... I know California has vaccines without Mercury (the metal thought to cause Autism). If you decide on vaccinating your child, get the vaccine without mercury. The only reason mercury is in the vaccines is to act as a preservative. It's not needed for the effect of the vaccine.

Answer 4

I asked my doctor the same question, and I will tell you what she told me. There is NO proof that vaccines can cause autism. This was a HUGE concern for me. There was some controversy a while back, but in studies, they could find no link. But, by all means, ask questions!! Ask your pediatrician and your friends pediatrician. Do what you have to to set your mind at ease. Its a scary thought, I know, but the benefits of getting the vaccine far out weigh not getting them

Answer 5

looks like he has a comfortable sort of Autism, which would be powerful academically. he's surely very fortunate. i think of the understanding element is principally to assist the greater serious cases of Autism, which huge companies claiming to speak for Autism make money off. purely the severe cases are shown interior the media inspite of the reality that greater suitable than 0.5 of Autistic human beings are intense functioning. take word that no 2 cases on the Autism Spectrum are the comparable, inspite of the undeniable fact that they might own comparable warning signs. i surely am clinically determined with an ASD called Aspergers. Albert Einstein is known to have been Autistic, and not purely that, he's known to have been a genius *because of the fact* of his Autism. of direction, each and every guy or woman on the Autistic spectrum might have social issues for the time of their finished life. yet once you're intense functioning, as properly the social problems and sensory themes, Autism is a modern-day to be embraced. the subject is that the media and the companies 'helping' Autism purely coach the undesirable area of it so as to benefit. think of if Jefferson, Edison, Tesla hadn't of existed? yet another area of the subject is that persons view it as a affliction, a detrimental, something to be pitied. If Autism did no longer exist, the human race might encompass no longer something yet socializing cavemen.

Answer 6

I don't immunize my kids, but my 4 yr old has autism. The thimerosal doesn't CAUSE autism, itself. They are born with a predisposition to developing autism, but things like immunizations can cause the symptoms to first show itself. Thimerosal is mercury, and the body, specifically the brain, absorbs it and it causes major problems. I would NOT speak to a dr. about it. Dr.'s only tell you what they've been taught, in most cases, and there have been cover-ups for some time now on the safety, and effectiveness of immunizations. Look into some of the groups that fight for 'the other side' of the story. We've been brainwashed for our whole lives on why we need them, so it's only with hearing the other side that we can truly make an informed decision. But keep these things in mind. First, the diseases we immunize against, were already declining in severity and occurances BEFORE they started marketing the vacs, so there's no real proof that they work. Second, they do not make you immune to the diseases, just decreases your likely-hood of catching them, so you are getting a false sense of security when you're using them. Third, statistically, when an outbreak occurs, it happens in communities that use them, not communities like the Amish that refuse them. The ones who get them are actually carriers, not those that don't. Fourth, with today's technologically, you are much less likely to die from any of these diseases then even 10 years ago, so the tables are turning on the myth that it's safer to have them then to not. Fifth, you have to consider ,you're not just talking about autism. When you receive an immunization, typically it is a live virus that you are relying on your immune system to be capable of fighting. A babie's immune system is so new, that it is not uncommon for it to not be able to fight it, causing brain damage, or worse, death. With anybody, if your body is trying to fight off an infection when it's received, getting it could overload the immune system, giving way for you to actually catch what you were trying not to in the first place. Sixth, there are much worse things then Thimerosal in them, that we aren't told about, such as formaldehyde. Please read the following links to find out all that's in them. And, there ARE still TRACE amounts of thimerosal in a lot of the vacs, and when you're talking about just one, that's not a problem. But when you're talking about the many we receive, plus the fact that we're exposed to heavy metals in our daily lives, it adds up, and attacks the brain. When a child has the foundation for developing autism, their bodies can't process the metals at all, and that's what makes the mercury so dangerous. There are no tests to determine if your child might develop autism, so you're playing russian roullette. On a final note, I lost a baby cousin within hours of receiving her 4 month old shots, and know four families that went through the same pain. It's not something I ever want to experience again, a tragic loss for preventing something that the child likely wouldn't have caught anyway. If you do decide to get them anyway, at least ask for the mercury-free versions, there are some available, then just make sure you trust your dr. to give them to you. Hope this helps! Oh, and, I don't know about you, but I don't wait around for 'proof' on things like this. Look back in your life to how many times the dr.'s and scientists change their minds on what's healthy and what isn't. We have to use common sense, instead of trusting others to make our decisions for us. And in case it comes up, they DO NOT have to have their shots to get into school, that is a huge myth.
http://www.informedchoice.info/cocktail.html
http://www.gval.com
http://www.thinktwice.com

Answer 7

There is a controversy about that. Immunizations need to be apply. I am sure doctors have found a little relation between the mercury in the vaccines, and they are working on removing this component. Even though they did not admit it.
So, rest assure you baby needs the immunizations, and do not forget you need to provide a lot of stimulation to your baby all the time, during the entire life, all kinds of stimulation.

Answer 8

Don't ya feel bad for us mommies and daddies these days? We have to practically become researchers, scientists, and doctors in order to feel like we are well-informed when it comes to our children. There are so many scary decisions we have to make from the time we get pregnant!

Anyway, I heard the same stuff when I was getting my son vaccinated. I talked with my pediatrician about my concerns. They are used to getting questioned about whether vaccinations are really necessary and discussing the pros/cons and possible risks.

You are good mommy for looking into this stuff. For what it's worth, I did end up vaccinating my child. I think if you talk to your doctor you'll feel better about whatever decision you make. Good luck!

Answer 9

The shots no longer contain themerisol. That was the contaminating factor in the old shots. Even though the medical community has known for decades and decades how bad mercury is for the body, especially a baby, they continued to use these shots containing mercury in the form of themerisol. The drug companies knew it and the doctors knew it. If the doctors had refused to use their contaminated products, they would have quit contaminating them.

Just make sure your doctor is not using an old supply. Ask for the "drug insert" and read it yourself to see if it has mercury or themerisol in it. Let your doctor know of your concern. He/she may not agree but will know that you are paying attention to what is going on with your child.

Answer 10

I talked to my doctor and we just changed up the schedual for the shots and they say that will help. My son got his first shot when he was 4 months and he is only getting 1 or 2 at a time, instead of the bunch. I read so many books, the one that gave me the most informtion was "What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Childrens Vacciations," by Stephanie Cave, M.D., F.A.A.F.P.