Vaccine Confusion

I think it's safe to say that vaccines do not cause autism. I have personally met children who have not been vaccinated and still have autism. I have also worked with twins where one twin has the disorder and the other doesn't. There are more genetic links than vaccination links.

That said, there's nothing wrong with a delayed or alternative schedule. Most doctors are more than willing to accommodate--I'm certain you can find one who will work with you. With all the autism talk I'm starting to worry that we'll see a resurgence of deadly diseases again.

Please do more research from reputable sources. There has been study, after study, after study showing no link between autism and vaccinations. There was recently just another large scale study that came to the same conclusion. Talk to your pediatrician. Then, if you feel he/she is not being open-minded find another doctor. You might feel completely comfortable with the information he/she provides you. Good luck.

There was recently a post on her on whether to immunize or not. there were a lot of views, opinions and reputable resources. I cannot stress that part enough... make sure the info you are getting is reputable. here is the link to the post http://www.mamasource.com/request/688569406841683969

i'm going to be honest. after reading that there are so many people not immunizing, or relying on herd immunity, i have made appt's to get my older kids blood tested to verify immunity. I found out with my pregnancy with #3 that i was no longer immune to Rubella and had the vaccine immediately in the hospital after delivery. I know my kids are due for boosters, so we're going to get whatever they need to be protected.

the fact is - the case that was highly publicized and used by the media to scare parents about the link to autism and vaccines, shows that the girl in question had a pre-existing condition that may have led to an autism diagnosis whether immunized or not... and she also rec'd 9 shots in one visit in an attempt to make up for lost shots. i really do not believe this case is a very good benchmark for most of us who follow the AAP vaccine schedule with normal, otherwise healthy children.

maybe it would help to visit the CDC website and see the impact of the disease you are immunizing against... some of them are absolutely awful diseases with lifelong affects... some are fatal. when i consider the idea of my child dying from a preventable disease because i was scared to vaccinate, i am willing to risk autism.

Good luck to you. herd immunity gives you the option to say no to vaccines.

To all those saying autism cannot be caused by vaccines, come on!!! Our vaccine schedules have shot up from something like 12 vaccines in the first year to about 36 in the first year!! And then the rate of autism has skyrocketed to something like 1 out of every 150 kids...I'm sorry but I will be more cautious with my children and listen to those who are experienced firsthand, like the moms and teachers that see the correlation. As for the medical community, I don't have the luxury of time to wait on them getting through the "red tape" to have a "proven" study, just because they haven't "proven" it doesn't mean it doesn't exist. Also, I believe there was just a case won in court that was along the lines that vaccines helped tip the scales to autism for a family....hmmmm...so maybe they don't cause autism, maybe if you get the "right" combination of issues during the first 2 years when our children's brains are growing the fastest they will ever grow you will get to be one of the 1 out of 150. Gee...if I can take even part of that equation out or at least be educated enough to vaccinate on a MUCH smaller and slower scale (and not vaccinate my 2 month old for sexually transmitted diseases when we aren't even walking yet...)I think I would at least take my responsibility as a parent alot heavier than relying on the doc that went through school but also has to formulate an opinion that will sustain their career, while I am sustaining my child.
ANyway, that's my two cents.
Good luck with your decision.
J.

I too have many concerns regarding vaccinating my son. I've done a lot of research and have gone to seminars on the subject of vaccines causing autism, it is all still so much up in the air. From what I understand if you space out the vaccines and break them up instead of getting a bunch at once (MMR for example) it is suppose to lower the risk of autism. Again, I don't know if this is true or not just what I've heard on different radio and TV shows. Talk to your doctor and see if he/she wouldn't mind breaking them up or spacing them out. Our doctor is wonderful and he does this for us.
I understand and feel the same way you do.
Good luck!
M.

"I'm also afraid my pediatrician will not have an open mind on this issue and what are my rights as a parent."

As the parent you have the right to choose. Your pediatrician is required to tell you his/her speal according to the American Medical Association. But ultimately the decision is your own to make and your pediatrician should respect that.

I thought Dr. Sears book was pretty balanced from a doctor's perspective.

We started by delaying childhood vaccinations until after 2 and nursing to build up our children's immune system. We also don't use public babysitting facilities of any kind.

Don't be swayed by fear on either side. Make an informed choice for your particular child and family regardless of any societal normative.

Personally I had my son vacinated on schedule without any complications. I am more worried about the effects of the diseases than the small chance of complications. This is just my two cents.

whether or not to vaccinate is entirely your choice. Nobody can make you because nobody can absolutely guarantee that there won't be any negative consequences. There is that one in a gazillion chance. Even when it comes to being "required" by schools, you always have a choice. Don't be pressured into anything that you're not comfortable with. There are slower alternate schedules available. A lot of times if my child was just coming in to get a shot, the doctor's office would schedule it as an appt with the nurse so I wouldn't have a copay, which makes it easier to get them spaced out. All that being said, I have had all my kids vaccinated, up to 4 at a time but never completely on schedule but more because I miss appts and my kids are sick sometimes than because of any deliberate purpose.

I would have a heart to heart with the doctor tell him/her about your fears, you have to be willing to trust who is treating your children, or you may cause them more harm in the long run.