Vaccines: The Reality Behind the Debate

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/health/article5683671.ece "The doctor who sparked the scare over the safety of the MMR vaccine for children changed and misreported results in his research, creating the appearance of a possible link with autism, a Sunday Times investigation has found...Andrew Wakefield manipulated patients¿ data, which triggered fears that the MMR triple vaccine to protect against measles, mumps and rubella was linked to the condition."

"Measles was the single most lethal infectious agent in the world until a vaccine was developed in 1963. In the early 1960s, the disease claimed six million lives yearly in the developing world with about 135 million cases. Today the global death toll has been cut to below 350,000 and the World Health Organisation believes it may be possible to eliminate the disease."

http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/health-news/official-warning-measles-endemic-in-britain-851584.html

When the Govt and the Pharmaceutical industry are no longer scratching each others backs and doctors are no longer getting kickbacks for pushing these drugs, then MAYBE I will trust what the Govt says but until then, you are damned right I am going to question things that can potentially be dangerous to my child! That's part of your job as a parent. Blindly following whatever you are told by the Govt is just plain ignorant. But hey, if you feel good about that, carry on Sheeple.

As a mother of a beautiful 3mth old baby girl I too was unsure and uncomfortable with vaccinations. I work at a free clinic and our community hospital-in a meeting a few months ago at the clinic we discussed the many disease that are on the rise in the US that we one eradicated related directly to undocumented immigrants. I have chosen to vaccinate using an alternate schedule starting at 4mths and separating the vaccine so her little system is not over whelmed with so much at once.

Diseases enter our bodies in a different way to vaccines and this allows the immune system to set up a defense. Immunizations are injected directly into the blood, bypassing the immune defense mechanism. Those of us in our 40's survived without dozens of immunizations. The complications talked about more often occur in 3rd world countries where there is limited access to medical care. We need to stop poisoning babies.

Parents need to wake up and educate them selfs, I'm not talking from mass media, you need to go further and really look at the facts, you might be surprised at what you find on both sides of the fence, it's pretty scary... I will never inject poison into myself or my pure children, call me what you want, but wake up and educate yourself. Dr.mercola.com would be a good start, and a great book by Tim O Shea

As the hysteria regarding vaccines increases and fewer people vaccinate there will be increasing numbers of children dying from preventable diseases. The parents who don't vaccinate will only have themselves to blame.

Also nobody is at fault if there child gets sick it happens. The FDA just "picks" which flu vaccine to give people for that year yet they arent responsible for a child that dies from influenza. Kids get sick and parents send them to school anyway, or daycare. Keeping children healthy is the responsibility of that childs parent. If your worried about un-immunized kids then homeschool them and watch them yourself, dont expect others to make sacrifices for your family.

Im a mother of two wonderful kids that I chose to postpone certain vaccines over others. I feel that postponing certain shots and possibly not doing some others was better for my children because they are never sick or hostpitalized. Every one I know that has there kids vaccinated have sick children all the time mine are never sick untill they recieve theres. We have an allergy issue that causes major rashes, high fevers, and stomach issues when we get shots so I feel parents should judge shots.

why are people so argumentative ....your right it's the parents decision to give shots or not to give shots...do I tell you how to discipline your child??? Report the facts and keep the peace. Research it for yourself and decide what's best for your child.

Its the parents decision to decide this for their family, and no one should judge your decisions.

Sorry. I meant the measles shot and wish I could pull it out of my son. I'm not perfect and I'm not afraid to admit it. Thanks.

My husband and I both can account for prior family members having such illness/variety of sorts. I believe there was an underlying illness in my son. I tend to gear towards the theory that the Measles helped make that underlying illness blossom along with the disconnection of neurons. Interesting, yet still something I can pull out of my son and give it to myself. Hello fellow ASD mommy and thank you cozyslings. Love it!

Interesting what we all read about. I've never heard about the immune system theory, but here's what I've both read and heard. Can I say it's a fact? I always say "Per who?". Anyway since the spectrum is now 1 in 91 (personally I call that a pandamic, but then again, who am I?) do you know how everyone is born with a cancer cell? Whether it activates or not a comparison is any family member who has/had a mental illness may follow in future generations of the same family. (2B cont.)

Maybe thats why there is a "spectrum"?

If you give a baby who was born with a weakened immune system to begin with a whole ton of vaccinations that the child can't even handle, in turn gets a weaker immune system and is unable to battle off illnesses even more so, then yes, I do believe that it can cause other deficiencies that may not necessarily "cause" autism, but may foster its symptoms. Maybe the kids who were born severe immune deficient gets all vaccines ends up severe autism vs. kid mild immune def. gets vaccines= mild autism

I'm a mother of a child on the autism spectrum and I am partial regarding immunizations and them "causing" autism. I don't believe they do, but I don't believe they don't, either. I believe immunizations are important for "most" children. However, where I have an issue is when ALL children are immunized "without question" of there immune systems! There should be a test given at birth to see if the childs immune system is tolerant enough to handle the vaccinations to begin with!!!!!!

There was an outbreak of whooping cough at my child's school a few years ago. It was started by a vaccinated child and almost every vaccinated child got sick with it. Articles like this never address the woefully low efficacy rate and the resulting inability to naturally fight these diseases off after having been vaccinated against them. lipearson1- When calling other people "stupid", it would be wise to use correct grammar and syntax. You look like an idiot...

Well let's see. Did they ask a bunch of only medical dr. Because vaccines also make the medical field a whole bunch of money. So of course they are not gonna say they are bad for you. Bit if you so a real good research you will find there is more chances of your child having a reaction to the drug than actually ever getting that disease.

My son was fine until he started to have grand mall seizures at the age of 10 months. Right before age 3? BOOM Autistic and profound at that. With all of my research I so wish we didn't get the measle series as I will go to my grave with disbelief shots are not involved. If I had a chance to roll back time? I just wouldn't get that particular series. I wish I could take over, jump into his little mind and suffer for him. Just my opinion. - Pauline Proud Mommy of my Son

Also the mercury is not the same mercury that causes mental problems.

Also Have you actually seen a break out of any of these disease that you are against. it is not pretty. it is painful for those that catch it and regretful for those that have to watch their child or family member go though that.

if I have a baby that is not old enough to get the vaccine you are indanger them with your stupidly. If you new someone that decide or had those same views and did not get their child vaccine and then their child dies from an outbreak that did not have to happen and to know that they also cause someone else to lose their child became of your decision. I hope that never happens to you but if it does, they may charge you as a parent with murder.

You as a parent are so consumed with your self that you hurt your children. you are so afraid that you child might be different mental, physical, emotion. that you blame a vaccine for it when it only occurs in rare cases. and you put your child in danger.

Gardasil is optional. it is for an std that cause cervical cancer and that is not what is kill them. H1N1 is the same type of vaccine as the flu. Do you take medicine for a cold, headache, fever. It is common sense. If parents are going to ignore these things then they do not deserve to have kids.

to lizpearson1: Many of us who don't vaccinate see injecting toxins and mercury into children as abuse, but respect your right to do it. If you think my unvaccinated child is a risk to yours, then maybe you really don't believe that vaccines are effective. If they are these wonderful life-saving things that almost always work, then quit complaining about my kid and sit there smug that you kids is somehow "safer" than mine. More kids are sicker nowadays, right along with the rise in vaccines.

In the mumps outbreak in New York nearly 2,000 (mostly vaccinated) people got mumps, and not a single person was seriously ill. Watch the Brady Bunch episode on the measles and see how mild of a disease it was - sitcoms always make things seem worse for effect, and it was still mild. Most of us have had chickenpox, and it was an annoyance. Polio has been eradicated in this country. Tetanus is found on farms, not rust. Why do we vaccinate against thins that are mild and so rare?

Vaccines wear off, people!! How many adults get boosters? Very few. Polio hasn't been seen in the US n 30 years yet an average of 10 a year die from the vaccines. The AAP is avidly against midwifery. Why should I trust them? The CDC advocated Gardasil which is killing so many that it's been banned in India, and the swine flu vaccine without thorough testing. You think these organizations don't get kick-backs? I would rather have my child build her own immune system.

Also child at that age forget in a week about the shot it is you as a parent that can't get over it. your the adult

Here are some great websites. Make the decision for yourself. http://www.thinktwice.com/ http://www.nvic.org/ http://www.vaclib.org/exemption.htm

Education is the answer for all parents out there. Not just education from the CDC, Pediatric Association and our pediatricians (who are all taught to believe the same thing). Each individual needs to know all the facts before going through something such as vaccination which can be DETRIMENTAL to the wellbeing of your child. Unfortunately the main stream magazines such as parents, parenting, ect. only focus on what the CDC and American Academy of Pediatrics says.

I can only tell you that it is common sense that dictates more needs to be done in finding out what is really happening. The national average was 1 in every 150, and in some states it is 1 in every 80 children who have fallen into the spectrum, and sadly these same people who push you into the advancement of Science have no answers for the rapid increase in a far more serious happening. I have countless friends who do not vaccinate there kids, and can report that they almost never get sick

The article may be based on Science, but not on common sense. I find this article to be irresponsible to an obvious and growing problem today. Let's for an example take another look at the nutritious value of a well known PB&J. Seems pretty harmless, but what if the CDC all of the sudden started to mandate that every child eat plenty of Peanuts because they have proof that they are healthy and good for you. Not every child has the proper immune system that can handle what is being injected.

Do not let doctors force you into the recommended schedules. You can vaccinate on your own schedule just be sure to assess your child's risk. You do not have to have all the shots at once. Even spacing them out one a week or a couple of month can make a big difference. If your doctor is unwilling, then check out the local health dept. where in most states school required vaccines are free no matter what your income is.

their child.

optimal performance. I do not turn a blind eye to the other side, nor am I ignorant or uneducated. I am still debating whether to go ahead with some of the vaccinations, because having not grown up with them, I realize I do not understand the diseases completely, making them seem less of a threat. Please just know that not all parents that decide not to vaccinate are simply caught up in the autism scare, do not make the decision lightly, and are truly trying to do what they think is best for

As a parent who has chosen not to vaccinate, I would like to say that not everyone chooses not to because of the autism scare. My daughter has received a few vaccinations, simply because I was bullied by doctors into making a decision I was uncomfortable with. I have since found a doctor that respects my rights as a parent. I do not take my decision lightly, though, and realize I have a responsibility to keep my daughter in excellent physical condition to keep her immune system functioning at

Personally, I am not worried about autism, nor do I blame a single vaccine for ASDs. My concern lies with the amount of vaccines given to an infant with an immature immune system and I would like to see a study showing the safety of this practice. So far, there has yet to be anyone willing to study the safety of giving so many vaccines to such young children. I did not give my son any vaccines until he was 12 months old and then, only two at a time. I would do it again in a heartbeat!

Beatenandbroken has it right: Hurting moms need someone to blame. My ex occasionally blames vaccines, or gluten, or something else, but always blames me - really. She told the court our son "inherited" autism from me; I must be Temple Grandin, as I am a college professor.

Also, I am going to start a rumor that apples cause autism. Because everyone eats apples and drinks apple juice, so it MUST be apples that are causing autism! And, every single paranoid parent out there is going to listen because they want to place the blame somewhere. Apples makes just as much sense as vaccines.

My son wasn't vaccinated until after he was 18 months old because I was afraid. He was autistic from the minute he was born, and that was very clear. You want to blame autism on vaccines, yet there are still children with autism who weren't vaccinated. If you would just stop listening to that Jenny McCarthy and actually LOOK at the REAL research (and not the falsified research by Dr. Wakefield, who lied to promote his new vaccine), you will see that vaccines are safe!!

Also, they only looked at one aluminum-containing vaccine instead of testing all four at once. The Cochrane group essentially closed the book on aluminum without ever really opening it. http://www.askdrsears.com/thevaccinebook/vaccine_faq.asp

This is especially surprising because the Cochrane group didn't actually study aluminum metabolism itself. They didn't test aluminum levels in kids after vaccination. They didn't explore whether or not the amount of aluminum in vaccines builds up in the brain or bone tissues. They just looked for evidence of visible symptoms of toxicity without even looking for internal aluminum effects. And they didn't even do their own research. They simply reviewed all available studies done by other people.

plouts: Yes it is valid. The content of the link I posted is only direct excerpts from Dr.Sears "The Vaccine Book", which I own and have read cover to cover. I found a discrepancy between what the article in Parents magazine reported and what Dr. Sears reports in his book. Dr.Sears simply reveals what the Cochran Collaboration's research to actually be in detail. Your link to try and disprove mine is of no consequence. Consider yourself schooled. Have a nice day.

I am really encouraged by the straight-forward reporting in this article. The safety and effectiveness of vaccines are indisputable, and I am glad the article doesn't act otherwise under the facade of being balanced. Being balanced means reporting facts, and explaining the actual risks of side effects versus the possibility of dying from a contracted disease (1 in 10 for diptheria!) was explained with perfect clarity. Thanks, Parents! (And thanks to parents who vaccinate their children!)

I find this article to be completely devoid of any facts that would make me reconsider delaying vaccinations for my daughter. Though the Cochrane Collaboration is cited, it is taken out of context and inaccurate. They state in their research that "despite a lack of good-quality evidence we do not recommend that any further research on this topic is undertaken." Anyone else find this to be a bit disconcerting? This article is completely ridiculous, and I'm sad to find it in a magazine I trust.

Finally an article for parents with all the facts. Vaccines don't cause autism. . . they save lives.

katharine: the source you cite is not valid. See: a Whale of an Expert http://neurodiversity.com/weblog/article/163/

Whoever wrote this article either is misrepresenting the studie the Cochrane Collaboration did on purpose, or didn't do their homework. For those who want to see for themselves the "studies" done by the Cochrane Collaboration can go here: http://www.whale.to/vaccine/sears_h.html