Vaccinations

[kdibattista]

I know this can become a heated debate but that is not my intent and I hope we can keep this civil. I truly believe that this decision is a personal one and I would never judge someone for what they have researched and chosen.

With that said, I am very concerned about the "possible" connection between vaccines and autism. I am just starting to research and I'm hoping that fellow DISers can point me in the right direction of non biased information. I'm looking into possibly delaying some of the vaccines and breaking them up instead of lumping them together. After talking with one of my clients, a pediatric nurse, that was her suggestion. Has anyone done this or have any recommendations? Any info would be appreciated

 

[BelleBoo&AmisMum]

This is a Money Magazine article that came out before I had DS (so 11 years ago) the information is valid though.

http://www.vaccinationnews.com/DailyNews/May2001/MoneyMag.htm

We have chosen to not vaccinate at all with the exception of tetanus when needed due to injury.

 

[jrmasm]

http://www.cdc.gov/od/science/iso/concerns/mmr_autism.htm

The CDC has not found a link between autism and vaccines.

 

[Geoff_M]

The CDC has not found a link between autism and vaccines.

Nor the World Health Organization, nor anyone else that's looked at any of the major epidemiological studies done on the subject. But still, the notion that there's a connection just won't die.

 

[Nom]

We don't vaccinate. I don't believe that vaccines are the sole cause of autism, but my personal theory, based on a lot of research, is that some children are genetially pre-disposed to autism. When they come into contact with something, be it something in the modern american diet, environmental contaminents, mercury in vaccines, or high doses of disease in vaccines, this 'something' triggers their genetic predisposition.

The book 'Evidence of Harm' by David Kirby is a great start. I'd highly recommend it. I'd also recommend 'Vaccinations: A Thoughtful Parent's Guide: How to Make Safe, Sensible Decisions about the Risks, Benefits, and Alternatives' by Aviva Jill Romm- it's a great resource for how to selectively vaccinate as well.

GOod luck with your reseatch!

 

[Am_I_There_Yet]

My children are older, but I'm curious how you can have a school-age child and not vaccinate? How do you get around the school district's demands for vaccination? I always had to prove it, or they wouldn't be allowed to attend.

Just curious.

 

[freckles and boo]

I have a child with autism and a typical child. Both received all their vaccines on time. I have no idea what "caused" my daughter's autism but she never "regressed", which is something that people attribute to vaccines. She simply had no language and little connection from the start. Therapy, particularly sensory therapy, has cracked her shell and she is making great progress. Obviously I don't know what caused her autism, but I personally don't feel it was the vaccines. Failing to vaccinate children out of fear is not something I advocate because it would be a shame for a perfectly healthy child to die of a preventable illness.

 

[tiffsix]

DS is 6 months and so far we have not given him any immunizations. I read a good book, "What your Dr. may not tell you about childhood vaccinations" by Stephanie Cave. It has a lot of good information in it. I am still researching it more and more. I know that there is no "scientific" study that links autism with shots, but on the other hand why are so many parents saying that after they received a vaccination something changed with their child? It is a scary situation and I don't think that just because the CDC says vaccinations are okay that they actually are. I also agree that parents need to make their own informed decisions on whether to vaccinate their child. There was a good thread on the Disney for Families board. It was about the Oprah show from last week with Jenny McCarthey...you should check that out. Another good website to chat with other moms who are on the fence about vaccinating or not vaccinating at all is on ivillage.com. I will probably end up delaying DS's vaccines until he is 2. And at that time, the shots will be split up...only done one at a time. Good luck with your decision!

 

[ash&abby'smom]

My children are older, but I'm curious how you can have a school-age child and not vaccinate? How do you get around the school district's demands for vaccination? I always had to prove it, or they wouldn't be allowed to attend.

Just curious.

I'm curious about this as well. I had to prove my dd's had their vaccinations or would not be allowed to attend school.

 

[BelleBoo&AmisMum]

My children are older, but I'm curious how you can have a school-age child and not vaccinate? How do you get around the school district's demands for vaccination? I always had to prove it, or they wouldn't be allowed to attend.

Just curious.

All states have exemptions from vaccines. Most states have medical and/or religious. Some have medical, religious, and philosophical.

http://www.909shot.com/state-site/state-exemptions.htm

They can not force you to vaccinate your children. They won't tell you how to get around them though and will tell you that you have to, frequently they get pissy when you bring it up.

 

[tiffsix]

I'm curious about this as well. I had to prove my dd's had their vaccinations or would not be allowed to attend school.

You can fill out an exemption form. Each state has one. You can site your reasoning on the form. I know in NJ you can fill out this exemption form and your child can attend school, ( My SIL is 26 yrs old and never had a vaccine and attended public schools) however, I know that if you pick and choose vaccines that is a different story. It is either all or nothing, at least in NJ.

 

[pansmermaidzlagoon]

it varies from state to state. Some have exemptions for medical, religious, and sometimes philosophical reasons. Some states you merely fill out a form - I had a respected lawyer draw up a letter.... knowing the school district would be less likely to give me trouble.

vaccinations are not mandatory for school, but the schools and government will do everything they can to give you that impression.

 

[Malificient Tater]

Autism does not show itself right off the bat in most cases. That is why now people think it must be the vaccinations. It helps to blame it on something. I have a friends whos child is austic and it was there before the vaccines but they did not know it and it is proved that it was genetic.

You also have to weight your how you would feel if you do not give the vaccines and your child happens to catch something that could harm your child.

My DD was vaccinated all but the chicken pox vaccine. Because when she was born they were only giving it to adults and older children. She did not get it till she was 8. And that was after a nurse berrated me about it, but she got the nurse ended up in trouble for yelling at me since the doctor had done the same things with her child of the same age.

 

[Am_I_There_Yet]

All states have exemptions from vaccines. Most states have medical and/or religious. Some have medical, religious, and philosophical.

http://www.909shot.com/state-site/state-exemptions.htm

They can not force you to vaccinate your children. They won't tell you how to get around them though and will tell you that you have to, frequently they get pissy when you bring it up.

But can't they prevent you from registering? The only reason I'm asking, is because when I moved to Florida from Texas, I was told that they wouldn't be able to register until I could prove that they'd been vaccinated.

Sorry to take this off-topic!

 

[BelleBoo&AmisMum]

But can't they prevent you from registering? The only reason I'm asking, is because when I moved to Florida from Texas, I was told that they wouldn't be able to register until I could prove that they'd been vaccinated.

Sorry to take this off-topic!

No, they can't.

They tried to tell me I couldn't register my older two, I flipped over the form and showed them where the exemptions were signed. They moaned and groaned and registered them anyway.

 

[Am_I_There_Yet]

No, they can't.

They tried to tell me I couldn't register my older two, I flipped over the form and showed them where the exemptions were signed. They moaned and groaned and registered them anyway.

Very interesting. You learn something new every day!

 

[tiffsix]

Schools are not advertising ways to avoid vaccinations. It is up to the parents to research this topic.

 

[LakeAriel]

Very timely post. I argued with my daughter about this this morning. Her school nurse said her daughter had to be vaccinated for DPT again before her 11th birthday. (In November) My, daughter, an RN, doesn't want her to get it but thought she was compelled because the child is in parochial school. While googling this I find a local Catholic Grammar went to court and won and even had the Vatican write a letter! Now excluding certain shots and not others could be problematic.

 

[Deb in IA]

The OP asked for non-biased information.


This is the best reference.

http://www.iom.edu/CMS/3793/4705/20155.aspx

This eighth and final report of the Immunization Safety Review Committee examines the hypothesis that vaccines, specifically the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine and thimerosal-containing vaccines, are causally associated with autism. The committee reviewed the extant published and unpublished epidemiological studies regarding causality and studies of potential biologic mechanisms by which these immunizations might cause autism.
The committee concludes that the body of epidemiological evidence favors rejection of a causal relationship between the MMR vaccine and autism. The committee also concludes that the body of epidemiological evidence favors rejection of a causal relationship between thimerosal-containing vaccines and autism. The committee further finds that potential biological mechanisms for vaccine-induced autism that have been generated to date are theoretical only.
The committee does not recommend a policy review of the current schedule and recommendations for the administration of either the MMR vaccine or thimerosal-containing vaccines. The committee recommends a public health response that fully supports an array of vaccine safety activities.

In addition, the committee recommends that available funding for autism research be channeled to the most promising areas. The committee makes additional recommendations regarding surveillance and epidemiological research, clinical studies, and communication related to these vaccine safety concerns

 

[DVCLiz]

The OP asked for non-biased information.


This is the best reference.

http://www.iom.edu/CMS/3793/4705/20155.aspx

This eighth and final report of the Immunization Safety Review Committee examines the hypothesis that vaccines, specifically the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine and thimerosal-containing vaccines, are causally associated with autism. The committee reviewed the extant published and unpublished epidemiological studies regarding causality and studies of potential biologic mechanisms by which these immunizations might cause autism.
The committee concludes that the body of epidemiological evidence favors rejection of a causal relationship between the MMR vaccine and autism. The committee also concludes that the body of epidemiological evidence favors rejection of a causal relationship between thimerosal-containing vaccines and autism. The committee further finds that potential biological mechanisms for vaccine-induced autism that have been generated to date are theoretical only.
The committee does not recommend a policy review of the current schedule and recommendations for the administration of either the MMR vaccine or thimerosal-containing vaccines. The committee recommends a public health response that fully supports an array of vaccine safety activities.

In addition, the committee recommends that available funding for autism research be channeled to the most promising areas. The committee makes additional recommendations regarding surveillance and epidemiological research, clinical studies, and communication related to these vaccine safety concerns

What she said.