Heather, I'd go even farther than you did and say that I really think that it is reckless not to vaccinate your child. I absolutely agree that it should be a requirement for entry into schools for children (when I was a kid it still was), which is as close as we can get to making it legally compulsory. My cousins don't vaccinate your children. And like you said, the thing about this choice--unlike circumcision, unlike breast feeding--is that it poses an active threat to others. It exposes children--including these parents' own children--to grave harm. I really support having discussions about this that are *not* the usual whatever-floats-your-boat; I think we need to actively campaign to keep this recklessness from expanding and scaring wary mothers into making dangerous decisions.

I also think that this movement comes out of a real head-in-the-sand contempt for science, and the truth is that no one has ever found that vaccinations do more harm than good. Far, far, to the contrary.

Hi Heather!

I just had to say my opinion on the whole vaccination debate really shifted a lot after learning about that same outbreak.

I don't have kids yet, but will immunize when I do.

If you don't listen to This American Life, well, I think you'd love it. But the fantabulous episode where this very story was covered (and from which I changed my opinion) was Episode #370: Ruining it for the Rest of us (12/22/08). Give it a listen!

Great post, thanks.

I'm not really so fond of alternative vaccine schedules a la "The Vaccine Book." The CDC immunization schedule is put together by a consensus of world-class immunologists, virologists/bacteriologists, and various other -ists. "The Vaccine Book" is just written by one guy whose dad is famous.

Actually all of the current childhood vaccines put together have fewer antigens than one dose of smallpox vaccine did, back before there was such a thing as a childhood immunization schedule. There are more vaccines but each one is more purified and targeted to create an immune response without provoking a big systemic reaction.

My mother chose not to have my siblings and I vaccinated when we were growing up, and none of us have ever suffered any illness or disease because of it (so far). Her concern was mostly over the contents of the vaccinations, their containing formaldehyde and various animal fetuses (and so forth). You've raised a great point about a herd immunity, that it does eliminate most of the chance that those of us who have not been immunized will catch something nasty.

However, I think that immunizations should be used in instances of necessity, rather than instances of needless prevention. One child in the country caught measles - in Sweden - and brought the disease home. The child would not have infected others or have gotten ill himself had he been vaccinated before leaving the country, before entering a foreign region with different ideas and rules about how THEY operate vaccinations. As a rule I think that children (and adults, for that matter) should be vaccinated before entering any kind of area that their immune systems are not accustomed to, out of the country travel being the real example. If the diseases are eliminated at home (as they have been with generations of standardized, nearly mandatory vaccinations), and precautions are taken against world travelers bringing foreign illnesses home, there wouldn't be a need for mass immunization.

Thank you for posting about this.
I live in San Diego (where the outbreak occurred), and luckily my daughter wasn't yet born during that time. Because my daughter has cancer, and because of her chemotherapy treatments we've had to delay immunizations. When her immune system was severely compromised due to the chemotherapy, I often thought about parents that don't vaccinate and the possible results of that if my daughter came into contact with one of their children, who happened to be carrying some disease. Luckily nothing like that happened, and I'm counting the months until she can receive her first vaccinations. You are right in that it's not just a personal, or family decision not to vaccinate, it affects the entire community, especially children that are too young for vaccines, or haven't received them due to medical issues.

I don't understand why people would choose not to vaccinate. We can eradicate some of these diseases if everyone vaccinated. If your child is allergic I understand but if not. WHY NOT?

I homeschool, breastfed and co-sleep. I also have all of my children vaccinated. I have friends who have chosen to not vaccinate. I kept my kid away from thier kids until my kids were fully vaccinated. I just couldn't take the chance. I live in S. CA, we have lots of immigrants, illegal ones that did not have to prove that they did not bring disease into our Country and to my kids. My choice, I will not argue it or debate it.

Vaccines don't simply cut down on diseases--they also cut down on fear. Back when polio swept through every couple of years, can you imagine how terrified the mothers were? How horrible it would be as a child to lose friends, classmates, relatives, siblings, or see them crippled? That's only one disease, too.

I feel lucky that I don't live in a time where one in five children died before puberty. All my friends from childhood are still alive. One or two kids (that I didn't know) died in high school, but not from diseases. All my cousins, aunts, and uncles are alive and healthy. None of the kids in my elementary schools died while I was there. The reduction in child mortality isn't only the result of vaccinations (better child care, better water/nutrition/hygiene, better health care in general, and other things all factor in), but it does help, especially in a world where measles is still one of the top five causes of child deaths.

Gardisal/HPV and chicken pox vaccines I can understand holding back on. Chicken pox is usually very treatable and the vaccine has only been around in the States for less than fifteen years. The effects of Gardasil/HPV vaccines haven't been tested beyond five or six years, so they're still new, too (I've studied Gardasil). Even the flu, because it is easy to treat and often not serious, I can understand not getting.

I do think more research on the effects of vaccines could be done (even if the autism/MMR link is refuted, certainly there are other potential links to diseases that could be examined), and I fully support modifying the vaccination schedule to be less aggressive. I also support parents researching the vaccines and modifying which vaccines their children get (as I said, not getting chicken pox/flu vaccines may be fine; I don't know the risks vs. benefits of all vaccines). That said, parents who don't vaccinate should consider not only with whether it's the right choice for their children, but whether they'd be able to bear risking the children of their friends and neighbors. A lot of diseases are contagious before symptoms show up. That doesn't mean the potential illness/death of a neighbor's child would be their fault, but it could still ruin their friendship or leave them feeling guilty.

Personally, I'm glad that the ones of us who are immunized can 'protect' the ones who are allergic.

I wish I had more time to sit on this blog and read the comments...I am sure I would be both enlightened and frustrated. As a mom of three (the last one is three months and was born with a congenital heart defect), I am a huge advocate of respecting science and its practitioners. I feel that there has been a huge movement in North America of distrusting the experts (with the proliferation of the Internet, everyone can start performing their own diagnosis) be it in the field of medicine, law or politics. Yes, there are horror stories (hell, my kid was one of the 3 out of 100 who got the chicken pox vaccination and then got full-blown chicken pox), but these people are trained professionals. Can we put a little more enlightened trust back into these people who have trained and practiced their profession for any number of years? Thanks for the post...hope it doesn't scare you off from more of the same (although, given that you are the "Heather Armstrong", how could it?).

I didn't read the entirety of these comments, but I'm sure they're full of people with their own stories and opinions.

All I know is that my little nephew came into contact with an unvaccinated child when he was 2 months old, contracted whooping cough, and almost died. They had the priest in there two nights in a row, giving last rights and comfort to my inconsolable sister.

None of my family can forgive that child's parents. My nephew has had lung problems ever since. It was a horrifying traumatic experience, and my nephew wasn't the only victim.

I totally understand where Heather is coming from--we chose to start our vaccinations later, at 6 mos rather than 2, since a baby's immune system is so unformed at 2 months and they want to pump so many vax in at once. Our pediatrician was fine with that. We did miss a few as a result--rotavirus (stomach flu), big whoop, and we are choosing not to do chicken pox, but other than that, some parents don't even realize that starting late and spreading them out is an option!

Public health is a community effort, and vaccines are very much a part of that effort. I can't imagine hearing my child is autistic and thinking it was in some way my fault. That I hadn't protected him. But we are part of a much larger picture, and we cannot ignore our responsibilities to the community at large. I agree with you wholeheartedly.

So many people who have gone along with their doctors' schedules for immunizations are telling those who didn't to do more research. I think those folks might want to do some reading as well. As parents, it's our job to think for ourselves and decide what is best for our individual, unique children, not to blindly accept a one-size-fits-all plan that was partially created by people who get richer and richer each time a new vaccine is added to the mandatory schedule. Our babies are babies. We need to be their advocates. The CDC and the FDA aren't going to do it for us.

I am at a crossroads with my son's vaccinations. When my son was 2 he was diagnosed with PDD-NOS (an autism spectrum disorder). At the time I didn't want to believe anything that wasn't verified by doctors, i.e. that a vaccination could cause my son's disorder. Since that time so much has changed.

I understand your thoughts and concerns completely. I too want to protect my child and other children from disease, but I truly feel that these vaccinations are poisoning our children. Until you have an autistic child of your own, you can never know how devastating and crippling it is to not understand anything about your child. The thing that keeps parent's like me from vaccinations is the drowning fear of regression. It is a daily fear in an autistic parents mind, that for no reason, you child is going to lose a part of them that you have worked months or years to help them achieve. I have seen it happen first hand.

My son is up for vaccinations again before the start of school, and I don't know what I will do. I want so badly to not have to think about these decisions. I want to trust my son's doctors, I want to trust the scientists who make the vaccinations, I want to trust the world to care about my struggle. The truth is that the same person who would call me out for not vaccinating my son, is the same person who will say in the grocery store "You need to learn to control your child", the same person who looks over from an opposite table in a restaurant and is disgusted with my child's behavior, the same people who will make fun of someone with disabilities, and who will do everything they can to make life for us harder.

I wish I lived in a world where people could understand my autistic son, where they would help to accommodate everyone. The truth is that we don't. It's every man for himself, and will always be that way. When I make the decision about my sons vaccinations it will be the decision best for my son, for his life.

Heather, I have been reading your website and other work for years now. I was reading before my son was diagnoses, before he lost his speech, before he changed into someone I didn't know. I used to compare his development with Leta's from the things you wrote about her in the corresponding newsletters. I even tried to tell myself that my child wasn't autistic because Leta was difficult at times, and did strange things, and she is such a brilliant beautiful child. I respect your opinion on the matter, and think it's a smart one, but only hope that I shed some light on what it is like for me.

Just another personal experience: I'm a 35 year old mother of a 4 year old and a 2 year old, both vaccinated. I'm also a cancer patient, and I'm having a bone marrow transplant this summer that will leave me immunologically the same as an unvaccinated newborn. In my extended circle of moms, the vaccination issue doesn't come up often; it is considered personal, and a little taboo, and as illustrated here, people are really wedded to whichever side they are on. So while I know of two unvaccinated kids that my children play with, there may well be many more.

So here I sit, trying hard to keep life as normal as possible for my kids while I undergo treatment, and that means lots of playdates, preschool, camps, play groups. And while I am not super concerned about the statistical blip that would have my immunized kids bringing these diseases home to me, I am very concerned about direct exposure. Because even though all of these moms know I have cancer, it is my impression that, having made the non-vacc decision, they just don't really consider the implications on a day to day basis. They aren't keeping their kids away for newborns for sure, and I don't think they'd even realize the risk to me if I didn't point it out.

Which I will, of course, because my life is worth an uncomfortable conversation or two, but man, it would be nice if all of those who could be immunized, where.

It's not like you don't have enough comments. But thanks for writing about this. Parents who will not vaccinate are a constant frustration for me. And most of the refuse on purely random reasons.

Many people are afraid to vaccinate infants and decide to hold off immunizations until their children are older. But the diseases are most dangerous the younger the children are. I have taken care of children with devastating disease that could have been prevented by a simple shot.

I totally agree that the spread of disease is about 10 years away if parents continue to stop vaccinating their kids. I don't feel at all like I will be "herding" my kid into getting her shots(I'm due in 5 weeks). Rather, I feel the exact same way as you. Thanks for wording my opinion in a great way!

live with my parents for one day. live with them and the life they lead as the parents of a 25 year old child with autism. because that is what he is. a child. he will never move on, he will never have his own life. never fit in anywhere, never cease to threaten bodily harm to my parents on a daily basis. he will never grow up and my parents are trapped. stuck.

try being the sibling of this child, one of the three siblings who were ignored their whole lives. not because parents didn't try, but because it is impossible to deal with that and be a parent at the same time.

you can excuse all the reason i've given so far, but can you excuse this:

my brother knows he has autism. he knows he isn't normal, he comprehends that, he knows it won't be fixed. forever trapped. he knows what is going on.

deal with that for 25 years and then tell me which you'd rather have. a child with any ANY life-threatening disease with a VERY HIGH survival rate or a child with autism.

if you grew up in my house you wouldn't take the chance. sadly even if it meant threatening the lives of children around you.

My son contracted whooping cough (pertussis) at 5 weeks old and almost died as a result.

So someone else chose not to have their vaccinations and infected my newborn, me (my immunity was low as a result of the pregnancy), and my Dad who was on chemo at the time.

I can't help but shake my head at my friends who think it's somehow healthier for their kids to forego vaccinations.

People, these disease _kill_ kids.

I wonder if people who DO vaccinate their children keep them away from people with a comprised immune system when they receive a live virus vaccine. Seeing as you can be contagious for a while after getting these kinds of vaccines, children who were recently vaccinated can just as much of a threat as the ones who weren't. If not more.

I wonder how many people even know this or are told this by their doctor. I certainly never was.

I think the important thing is being informed about what you are doing, whatever you do. There is no right way to do it.

Also, blaming non-vaccinated people for infecting your vaccinated self makes very little sense. If you are up to date on your vaccinations then you should be protected or at least get a very VERY mild version of the disease. If you think the vaccines give you such bad protection, then why are you getting them in the first place?

one thing i'd like to bring up to those who feel the chicken pox vaccination is unnecessary: the chicken pox virus does not leave your system, and can resurface as shingles at any time. when you're 70 and hit with shingles, it's ten times worse than the chicken pox. there is pain involved, not just an irritating itch and a fever. as a matter of fact a friend of mine had shingles at 24, and she said it's an experience she would rather not repeat. the pain and discomfort was enough to shut her down for a week or two, and she has numerous scars from her encounter. unnecessary? i think not. if you want to protect your children from shingles when they're older, you have the power by choosing to get them vaccinated against the virus that causes chicken pox.
that aside, well written post, i agree completely. i would move heaven and earth to protect my child from Things That Could Kill Her, and do not understand the thought process of those who think that autism is going to be more dangerous than polio, or rubella, or mumps.

This is a hot issue. I have vaccinated both of my children, and am in the process now with my 5 month old. I think its crucial to the health of us all. In Africa and other 3rd world countries, the diseases that we have vaccines for, they do not, so many people die from preventable diseases every day. I remember a lady trying to get me not to vaccinate. Ger argument was how much autism and other auto-immune diseases have risen in occurance in the last 100 years, increasing at least 3 fold. Upon researching census reports, the population of the US has increased more than 3 fold since 1900. Coincidence? I think not! Man, I hope this whole stigma about vaccines will diminish soon....

@284

Re: WHO and tetnus and HCG

Please read:

http://www.who.int/immunization_monitoring/milstien.pdf

WHO's goal is to save the lives of newborns and you do that by immunizing women. The vaccine does not affect fertility.

Thank you so much for this post.

My sister, who has two kids, and I have had countless conversations about this and we cannot understand why people think it is okay not to vaccinate. As Heather said, this is truly a modern miracle that we are not all dying of these diseases anymore. Measles kills kids. Mumps kills kids. Polio kills kids. I'm not sure what about that makes the decision to vaccinate difficult.

If my five month old son got sick because some other parent had decided for whatever reason not to vaccinate my rage would have no bounds. Forgiveness would not be an option.

Heather, great post and I agree with you completely.

As an adoptive parent to a young child born in India, who suffered paralysis from Polio, and now lives with those effects, I am reminded daily the reason why the US public wanted so dearly to eradicate the disease. Please know it is NOT eradicated world-wide and can come back, to each and every unvaccinated person. Vaccinations are not perfect but they reduce the risks and that's beneficial.

so happy you clarified your thoughts beyond the momversation thing. thanks Heather.
forgive me if this has already been said somewhere here. has anyone heard about Jenny McCarthy's autism organization? go to the fourteen studies she has on her site, http://fourteenstudies.org/
& read what is there. It's important for people to know that there is a lot we need to change in order for our children to be vaccinated safely. I hope this awareness is what comes out of all this discussion.

I agree with you. I have a 7 month old and I fear every time I think of the summer holidays when we will visit relatives who have kids between 5 years and 16 months. I wonder if those kids are vaccinated, if they go to places where other kids are sick. I believe in science and I was vaccinated when I was a kid,I have to say I never had any of the "typical childhood diseases". I dont want my son to be exposed to other kids at all if this trend becomes more popular in my community.
I agree with the puppy/kid analogy too. We could get rid of so many diseases if we all work together. In my early school years I knew a girl with a polio sequel and I havent seen any more kids with polio sequels ( thank God!) because of an exhaustive campaign to get rid of this disease.
:) Good video.

I completely agree with you 100% Heather. I briefly had a room-mate whose mother 'forgot' to immunize him. He went through so many diseases as a child and is stricken with polio.
Also, people think that chicken pox affect the youngest the most and once you're grown up, you're out of harms way. My neighbor got the pox when he was 40 and it almost killed him.

I honestly think that your immune system also depends on the environment you grow up in. My dad's a doctor so I got every shot under the sun, but I was raised in India and have yet to make a trip to the hospital for anything other than physical injuries.

I'm not married nor have kids. But if I ever do decide to have kids, I will vaccinate them - no questions asked.

I will keep this short and give my 2cents worth-

I haven't immunized my kids. My daughter had chicken pox when she was a baby.
Do I think there could be a correlation between vaccinations and autism? There could be. Would anyone (ie goverment or pharmaceutical companies) admit it? No! There would be lawsuits like you would not imagine. All those companies would go under and then there would be no companies making medicines for diseases that are currently around.

If I was to immunize my children- it would be on a delayed schedule. There is no need for most babies to be immunized at such a young defenseless age with all those viruses. Vaccinations shouldnt be started so early- especially if the child is at home and not in a daycare setting. I think there needs to be more lobbying to have a delayed schedule.
Why give 3 shots at once? One at a time. Spread out.

And to the people who did give vaccinations- and whose children had no problem. Give thanks to God everyday.
It's like smoking. Some people can smoke everyday of their life and never get cancer. Others smoke and get cancer and die.

Personally I think that Autism is more of a "death" sentence than having chicken pox for a week or having measles for a month. Come on. YOu usually get better. We live in a first rate country with great doctors. They can control the disease if you do get it. Autism is not curable.

Wow. I use to feel the same way about vaccines as you do, until two of my normally developing children became autistic two weeks after routine vaccinations. One of them, mind you, I was told was not autistic one months before his shots by the same professional who told me my older son was on the Autistic spectrum.

Now, unfortunately, I have done a tremendous amount of research on vaccines and I realize that I didn't know what ingredients were in the shots my children received. I didn't know how common side effects were. I didn't know who was on the boards that approved the shots and what financial ties they had to pharmaceutical companies. My sons' pediatricians did not ask the right questions before my sons received vaccines because quite frankly they didn't know the right questions to ask. I mindlessly allowed my children to be sacrificed to the false god of herd immunity without researching vaccines for myself.

The Federal government has conceded in two cases in vaccine court that vaccines do cause autism in previously normal children -- Hannah Poling and Bailey Banks.

http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=980CE5DE1130F93BA35750C0A...

http://www.ageofautism.com/2009/02/government-again-concedes-vaccines-ca...

But there is too much information and studies "proving" both sides to really have this argument here.

I hope you never have cause to research vaccines to the extent I have. But honestly -- I'd take measles any day of the week over autism. And I will never again choose "herd immunity" over the health of my children.

My mother went back to school in 2000 to work with handicapped children. Her final project was on autism and links to vaccinations. Previously my sisters had both been stopped from having certain vaccinations (due to severe allergies). Then after doing her research, my mother decided she did not wish for us to have any more vaccinations. Studies that had come out in the past couple of years showed evidence that they were possibly linked. Although schools here require children to receive certain vaccinations to attend school, my mother was able to get around these requirements.

Now in light of new information that some studies had been fabricated (and that I am now an adult), I think I will renew my vaccinations I did not receive. I was tested recently and only my rubella needs to be renewed. I understand why people feel strongly about receiving vaccinations and giving them to their children. However, as my mother works closely everyday with autistic children, I completely support her decision in light of the information and research she had done at the time.

As the mother of two boys that have gotten each and every one of their immunizations, I offer up an agnostic amen! Only in this freakin' country would a parent say "Eh, not necessary" to vaccinations that ABSOLUTELY can save a child's life.

This is one of those instances where I want to beat the crap out of my fellow Americans.

I'm not a parent or a health care professional-- I'm a 19-year-old childless college student with minimal scientific skills (yeah, English majors), but I still definitely have thoughts on this subject.

Because of my age, I grew up before the immunization debate became prevalent, and so everyone I know in my own age range was immunized. Now that I'm in charge of my own health care decisions, I continue to get vaccinations-- for meningitis, before I started living in my college dorm, and for HPV. The latter is simply a personal choice, but I like to think that I got the former due to its impact on others, not myself. When I travel to other countries that have a prevalence of diseases to which I have not been exposed, I get any vaccination my doctor recommends-- not because I don't want to get sick on my vacation and have a shitty time but because I don't want to get my friends sick upon my arrival back in the States.

My brother, who is two years younger than I am and was also vaccinated, has an autism spectrum disorder (which, believe me, is NOT the worst thing that's ever happened to my family); my parents do not blame vaccinations and continue to stick by this belief after reading a lot of research on the subject. I asked my mom tonight after reading this post and some of the comments if she's ever questioned that-- she admitted that she has, but that, ultimately, she'd feel much worse if her un-vaccinated child passed along a disease that killed another child. Her exact comment: "No one wants to lose a child-- I'd rather have a slightly more difficult child-raising for myself than rob someone else of theirs."

Obviously, everyone has different beliefs and different experiences, and they are all valid. I'm not trying to fight anyone, just expressing the experiences of my own family and how they've shaped our thoughts on the subject.

My brother died of AIDS. I took care of him for the last 3 months of his life. I got a good detailed look at what happens when you don't have a functioning immune system. I was so eager to get my kids vaccinated!! Being able to get protection from a list of horrible diseases is a huge blessing. It's sad that people so totally disregard the experiences of others who are 2-3 generations older.

My husband's aunt got Rubella while pregnant. Her child was born with a number of problems, including deafness and mild brain damage. It seems to me those handicaps isolate her as much as autism.

My mental concept of autism is that there are a number of underlying causes (viral, bacterial triggers, chemicals, ??) that affect a similar part of the brain, thus creating a set of symptoms that looks the same. I think there's some kind of trigger that hasn't been identified yet which is creating the hugely increased number of autism cases. I've recently been diagnosed with Lyme disease and have been reading a lot about it. I was surprised to learn that there is a higher-than-normal coincidence of Lyme disease and autism. Lyme can affect brain function in a number of ways; perhaps it is a trigger as well.

Thanks for the great post. Impressive comments by everyone else, too!

Oh course I vaccinated my children. The alternative was unheard of "in my day" (I can't believe I say things like "in my day") and no one gave us a choice! Additionally if you didn't vaccinate your child didn't get into school.

Yes, people should make their own decisions, pro choice and all that, but PEOPLE, HELLO, WAKE UP...VACCINES PREVENT serious LIVE THREATENING diseases. Life Threatening as in YOUR CHILD COULD DIE.

That said my kids suffered from ADD. I've often wondered, lately (they are in their 30's now) if it was due to the vaccines. But, unless they can prove to me that was the cause I have to chalk it up to just another thing I might have done to my child without knowing it (along with having wine at 9 months pregnant - at my Dr. suggestion), smoking (fortunately I was too sick to do it often but when I wasn't smoking I was traveling on an airplane or eating next to people who were), sticking them on the car seat beside me because at the time there was little else to do with a baby...so, sure, I hope I did my children no harm. And, if I had it to do over, today, I'd make the same decision based on the information available.

But I'll tell you as a mother the thoughts of "did I make the right decisions" never completely go away. Never. They just run along beside you ready to pounce when you least suspect it. So, regardless of what you decide today I can assure you to some extent twenty years from now you will question your decision. It goes with the territory. I made some decisions a year ago and have wondered just this week if my husband and I did the right thing. I think we did - but questioning "was it right for my kids" is something you'll have to live with the moment you decide to have a child.

I gotta say, Heather, I completely agree with you, especially about protecting the children who can't be immunized with the children who are immunized. I have a son who is a heart transplant recipient and spent the first 7 months of his life in the hospital. He has to take drugs that suppress his immunity in order to keep his body from rejecting his new heart. One of the problems of this is that he cannot have live virus vaccinations which include the MMR vaccination. Because of his compromised immunity he is the perfect target to catch anything and everything that is floating around and to put it bluntly, I am scared sh@!less that my son could die because a parent decides not to vaccinate their child. Don't get me wrong, I respect a parent's opinion and their instincts but the bottom line is that this is not just about their child, this is about everyone's child and I didn't spend months and months watching my son struggle for life to have it be taken from him because of what I feel is an irresponsible decision. I know that to some people those are fightin' words but I take this seriously. I feel very strongly that when you make the decision not to vaccinate your child you are asking every parent around you to put their own child's life at risk. It is frustrating for me because the only position I am able to have is one of a complainer. I get that every mother only wants what is best for their child, I just feel like my decision of what I feel is best for my child (and my situation where I can only vaccinate him for certain things) becomes ineffective when there are others who's decisions cancel out mine.

As the mother of a child on the autistic spectrum I opened your post today very warily. Few things make me as mad as people who use the possibility of their children developing autism as a reason not to vaccinate. What a relief to read your wonderful post and all these sensible comments. Thank you Heather and everyone! My beautiful boy has a condition that makes him see and interact with the world in a different way to the 'typicals' and we are trying our hardest to help him and us deal with that. That is not a life threatening condition. It is heartbreaking to think that the pain experienced by parents searching for answers may have generated this pseudo science.

To reiterate #69...Correlation does not equal causation!!!

Autism is a form of mental retardation. We don't give a certain food to a baby and then it all of a sudden turns into a baby with Down's: so why would we give a shot to a baby and then say the baby has autism?

The doctor that made the correlation is a quack, and unfortunately, the damage was done. No matter how much science and logic try to counter the "claim," it will always be fact in some people's minds.

Take it from a speech path that works with autistic children.

My husband is an immunologist and we both thank you for bringing this issue to the forefront in such a level-headed and informed way. We've vaccinated both our children and wouldn't dream of doing otherwise, for their sake and our community's sake.

maybe it is time to rethink the recommended schedule since so many more people are requesting alternate schedules that space the shots out more? no one wants their baby to get sick and certainly no one wants someone else's baby to get sick from their baby. maybe there is a new schedule everyone - parents and drs - can agree on?

our pediatrician admitted to us that the current aggressive immunization schedule is partly due to interest in reducing administrative overhead (cramming so many shots into so few office visits). my OB admitted that the hep b shot given at birth and during infancy is a "societal safety net" - the assumption is that a certain % of people will act stupidly later in life so why not nip hep b in the bud starting at birth?

we are immunizing our son on an alternate schedule. for me, all it took was one look at MY immunization schedule compared to the current CDC recommended schedule to think twice about just blindly following it (so many people say "but you got all the shots and you are fine": yes, i got all the shots recommended back in the 70s. a fraction of what is on the current schedule).

immunizations are a miracle, but health care is also a business. parents need to get informed and stay informed on this issue.

I think your post was very well worded. Certainly vaccinations can produce adverse effects/outcomes on some people, AS CAN ANY MEDICAL PROCEDURE intended to help someone. I think following on to the 'logic' that many people use, they should therefore avoid any preventive, palliative, or curative medical help at all lest it should prove harmful in their particular situation. Yes, I am saying they should eschew any medical attention whatsoever in case they might possibly have an unforeseen or unknown problem with it. Even if it means it would prevent a known health risk or problem down the road. That's right. Risk your health and your life and the health and the lives of others. Let's get rid of doctors while we're at it. And hospitals. And medicine. Yeah, medicine.

I live in Switzerland.

Currently, no child must be vaccinated in order to attend school.

Measles? A huge problem in Switzerland. Such a problem that it was written about to warn travelers during the European Football Championship.

http://www.eurosurveillance.org/ViewArticle.aspx?ArticleId=8043

It is starting to get the media attention that it deserves here. The mothers I talk to have vaccinated their children for measles and talk about their feelings about whether or not other kids should be as well. They seem to agree that all children should be vaccinated for measles in order to attend school.

Last week, all parents were asked to give our childrens shot records to their teachers. I think that the teachers want to see what vaccinations the kids have had and particularly if the kids were vaccinated against measles.

A school in Switzerland recently had a huge measles outbreak and a young girl died. She wasn't vaccinated.

My kids have had all the vaccinations that they need.

I, also, made sure they had the chicken pox vaccine while we were visiting in the States a few years ago. The feeling here in Switzerland is that chicken pox is not life threatening. My daughters teachers told the parents of infected children to go ahead and send them to class which resulted in most of the kids catching it. The bus was full of pox covered kids. All the mothers laughed about it. My girls did not catch it because of being vaccinated. I do know that some children have died from chicken pox. When I was in third grade I got it so bad that I could not walk because it was on the soles of my feet. I was miserable.

I have, also, had measles. I was around three years old and can still remember thinking that I was dying. I was so sick that I can not explain it but after over thirty years I still remember it.

I am for vaccinations and will continue to keep my kids up to date according to the US standards.

In my humble opinion, prevention is the best medicine.

I used to read this blog for a short time, but I STOPPED reading because all the advertisements were overpowering and obnoxious. Now, I can see that your opinions are overpowering and obnoxious, and I have NOT missed anything. You're only alienating your readers, with your biased, unprofessional opinion. You obviously are NOT perfect with raising your daughter, so don't criticize other mothers for their beliefs.

Well, I have to say, first of all, that I agree with you and believe that childhood vaccinations are a must. I also feel that they should be given according to the schedule typically followed at most pediatricians offices.
But, in saying that I also confess that as we speak, my 7 month old daughter is overdue for some vaccinations and part of me is terrified. I am not typically one to drag my feet. I know that she is in some danger of contracting a potentially life-threateing disease; however, in December, my daughter (then three months old)was lying near death in a hospital bed with some mystery illness. She was an inpatient for a month. She was seen by 4 neurologists, 5 pediatricians, and a GI doctor- none of which expected her to survive. Obviously, the whole ordeal was a complete nightmare. Her pediatricians did NOT rule out her vaccinations as the cause; so, truthfully, I worry. I have gotten two vaccines for her since she has been home; and, as previously stated, she is due for two more this week. Thankfully, her pediatrician agrees that we should proceed with my daughter's vaccinations with caution and at a slower pace.

Having said all of this, I will still go to get these vaccines for her. I may pray a lot and cry my eyes out while doing it, but I will. Vaccines protect children from too many illnesses to ignore and prevent many many more illnesses than they are accused of causing. That is a fact.

If the parents who choose not to vaccinate their children for these easily preventable, yet sometimes fatal "childhood diseases" would think just a bit farther along the thread, they just might conclude as I did-that it would be far preferable to vaccinate and save possibly many other lives than just my own child's.
And the small possibility that the immunizations could trigger autism in my child weighed against the larger possibility that my child COULD DIE, or cause another child to die through the spread of a disease that I could have prevented? No contest.

Thanks, Heather for your heartfelt and eloquent statement.

This is the kind of debate that makes me realize how short people's memories are. The Salk vaccine was only discovered in the 50s and polio is still very much a problem in a lot of countries. I grew up in India where polio still exists because not all kids get vaccinated, partially out of poverty and partially out of ignorance, and some kids whose parents took all the precautions still get caught infected. No educated parent in India will ever question vaccinating kids against diseases such as polio. Polio can only be prevented through mass immunizations, so sometimes it is about collective responsibility and it isn't always up to the parents to decide. I agree that parents do have a right to question things but does it really have to be all or nothing?

Hi, 275 again,
Just thought I should clarify a bit. My son that had the reaction received them in 1996 when the vaccinations still contained thymerisol (sp) and mercury. Also, I live in Utah, and only 1 one of my 5 children is statistically current on his immunizations. When you go to register them for school, if they are not current, you have to either bring them current in an insanely short period of time, or go to the health dept. and sign a paper which puts them in a database, and then you get a lecture. Basically just to let you know that you are a rotten parent. It is just a delightful experience. They do not care about modified scheduling, don't even know what that means, and act as if you are some sort of hippy idiot.
Also, even though it was years later that I finally found a doctor who confirmed that it was the vaccines that caused my sons problems, it was, apparently, too late to file a Vaccine Adverse Event Report, or VAERS. I asked numerous doctors at that time to file a report, but was always told that there was no proof that it was caused by the shots. I feel that by not reporting these incidents, they are robbing every parents of the right to make an informed decision. I also believe that there is a HUGE link between the rise of autoimmune disorders, asthma, ADD and ADHD, just to name a few, and the numerous vaccines shoved down our throats. My son is the only one of my 5 children to have ADHD, and I don't feel that it is just a coincidence.
As for all the new vaccines, I am waiting. I didn't give any of them the chicken pox vax, and as my only daughter is just 4, I have time on my side to see what is going to happen with the HPV.
As someone else said, I resent the hell out of a government that dictates that I have to put these chemicals into my childs body, then refuses to acknowlege that there may be a problem, like the inability to BREATHE anymore, or think clearly. There is a need for vaccines, I truly believe that, but every child is different, and it is time we all realize that.

thank you thank you thank you thank you

Vaccines are not a replacement for good hygiene. As a mom who has deferred vaccinating my 19month old I know that I must make other choices beyond just not vaccinating including extended breastfeeding, careful hand washing and not spending time in large groups of children. It is a careful and thoughtful process. It requires a commitment.

Great post. I will add that I agree with some of the posters who've mentioned the trigger can be saying vaccinations don't cause autism. But, the fact is, there is NO SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE to support a statement that vaccinations can cause autism. The problem lies less with vaccinations and more with how little is known, historically, about autism and it's causes. A lot of parents don't realize that signs of autism don't show up until about the time certain vaccinations are given, which can lead to an impression in parents that the vaccination was the cause of the autism. There may be something to the idea that a vaccine could exacerbate symptoms of autism, but that is likely also a stretch. There simply is no proof vaccines cause autism and as many here have stated, including yourself Heather, the risk of not vaccinating our children has much greater, proven repercussions. Great post. Thanks!

off the subject... What is SXSW?
And definitely all for vaccinations. Another outbreak is inevitable!!!

One thing to consider is that official vaccination programs differ from one country to another. I moved to Brazil when my son was 6months old and had already completed most of the required vaccinations within the UK, but once in Brazil, I found that there were many required vaccinations there that he hadn't received (BCG, of course, but also chickenpox which isn't administered in infants in the UK). In a truly global society, perhaps there should be a global vaccination scheme. In the UK, children receive the MMR at 13months - in Brazil they receive it at 2 years. Are you going to blame the child from Brazil for catching measles and spreading it on at 18months old when he visits/moves to a first world country because he hadn't been vaccinated yet?

Also - I'm not certain of this, but I have heard that when a lot of kids react to their vaccines, it's primarily the preserving agents and chemicals (to prolong their shelf life and keep the virus stable) that they react to. I'm getting my son immunised (his final round is today, in fact!), but I'd sure feel more comfortable knowing exactly what was in these shots and if there could be a more 'organic' way of getting them into his system (e.g. without all the preservatives and chemicals).

In the UK, we are encouraged to give our children something like 20 different vaccines before the age of 2. Additionally, many of them are given as a multiple shot - so my 3 month old was given 5 vaccines in just one single shot. He was, perhaps understandably, a bit peaky for the following week - as I think anyone might be when your immune system is suddenly called upon to fight 5 different (and albeit dilute) types of disease as one time. But I was grateful for the protection they afforded from nasties like polio and whooping cough.

But I had to draw a line at the MMR and instead went privately to give both my children a single measles vaccine. Neither Mumps nor Rubella are life-threatening diseases and the reasons for giving them lumped in with the really quite nasty Measles vaccine, is down to economics. I intend to ensure my daughter has the Rubella jab once she is a teenager (and long before she is sexually active) as it's vital she has protection before she ever gets pregnant. Mumps is just not a concern. I appreciate there can be some complications in adult males affecting fertility but the risk is so minute (especially compared to the fevers and convulsions that the vaccine itself can incur) that it's just not worth it at this stage.

Thank you for bringing this important subject to light in your own imitable way.

I am a first time reader of your blog (after seeing you on Oprah) and a parent presented with the decision to vaccinate my 12-month old daughter (or not). I have been toiling over this decision since her 6 month shots were administered, all the while, conducting my own research about the correlation between vaccines and autism. I consider it serendipitous that this topic was presented at the very moment that it has been top of mind for me. I wanted to thank you for opening up the subject with such candor and thoughtfulness, and to also thank everyone for their fantastic opinions and anecdotes. It gives someone like myself, a first time mom who was indifferent to the subject before motherhood, great insight into the variables at hand when making such a decision. Thank you.

Thank you for such a well -written post on this subject.

My then 9 month old daughter (this was May 2006) was exposed to Chickenpox at the doc's office, and was previously too young to get the vaccine... to complicate matters we had just flown to Seattle when symptoms (i.e. fever, and a couple spots) started to be apparent... for a new mom in a city that she didn't know far away from her pediatrician, you can bet I was PIZZZZZED off at the idiot lady who had her 10 year old at the doc's office with chxpox... there was NO Neeeeed for him to be there as he was old enough for the vaccine... luckily my daughter got on antiviral meds which really lessened the symptoms.. but it just makes me so sad that when there is really no clear cut links that say vaccine = autism that ppl just up and don't/won't research about vaccines, they just take the media created frenzy and the put others at risk.

I understand that what we want is for all our kids to be healthy, but be responsible about it.. like the first commenter who didn't do vaccines for various reasons and then QUARANTINED her kids... that's what everyone should do when there is a threat to other children's health.

Again thank you for bringing up a very timely topic!

As a mother of a son who has autism, I agree 100% with you. In my cases (and in most cases of autism), my son showed the symptoms from BIRTH. I cannot imagine how awful it must be to see your child suddenly regress at 18 months or 2 years. However, science cannot see a link between autism and immunizations. So, if I were to have another child, I might adjust the immunization schedule for that child but I would definitely have him/her immunized. To me, the benefits outnumber the risks.

(And I think this battle is a LOSER for the autism community. Let's focus on getting more children ABA therapy - the one thing scientifically proven to work on reversing the sighs of autism. Stop using our voice/money/effort on battling about immunizations and focus on HELPING THESE CHILDREN GET OUT OF THE CLUTCHES OF AUTISM!!!)

My mother is completely deaf in one ear from having measles as an infant. She contracted it in the hospital where she was born, since this was before the vaccine. And she got off relatively easily. Strangely enough, her sister lost her hearing on one side in a freak thing when a wave knocked her down and popped her ear drum many years later, and now when they talk on the phone they can only hear the other gabbing.

So I'll vaccinate my kids because measles are preventable. I'll still let them swim in the ocean even though freak accidents are not. And some weird thing could happen creating one more half deaf relative no matter what I do. It is what it is.

I agree with you. I vaccinate but we live in Italy and the vacc. schedule is not quite as dense as it is in the States. There was a whooping cough outbreak in the town where we used to live when someone from Eastern Europe brought it from their country. None of the children who were vaccinated got sick.

There is a reason men and women have worked their whole lives to discover these vaccinations...

Hmmmm.... an autistic child vs. a dead child... I don't get the issue here. Yes, autism is a terrible thing. And yes, my heart goes out to all parents of children who have autism. But my heart goes out more to the parents who have lost children to illness.

I have chosen the vaccination route too. With all three kids and I never batted an eye. My grandmother contracted polio and was in the hospital for 9 months in an iron lung while her two very young children lived, frightened at home awaiting her safe return. The doctors were pretty certain that the kids were exposed to the disease though they themselves never became infected she did. She spent the next 50 years in a wheel chair, paralyzed from the waist down.

I couldn't handle the thought that my decision not to vaccinate a child might gravely affect the life of someone else's child.

Now these are my thoughts on the vaccines for childhood diseases, not for newer ones like Gaurdicil which may prevent certain but not all cervical cancers and which is much too new for me to even concider without fully knowing the reprocussions.

Autism is out there and yes it is growing but so are childhood allergies, especially the fatal ones. But vaccinations are not the cause.

Emily's post, #336, has got to be one of the dumbest things I've ever read.

I live in Switzerland and have a 10-month old, and this issue has been on my mind a lot lately. She won't get vaccinated against measles for another two months. I am doing my PhD at the engineering university in Lausanne, while living in Zurich (so I work from home 99% of the time), and recently had to cancel a day of meetings in Lausanne because there's an EPIDEMIC of measles right now on the campus, and I would have been bringing my baby along with me. I read recently that they have at least a little version of this epidemic nearly every year in Switzerland, because only about 88% of children get vaccinated for measles. It's scary, and I hope I'm not making a mistake waiting until her 1-year visit to get her vaccinated.

I am old enough to have been a child before most of the vaccinations were available. I remember childhood illnesses. They were miserable. I would venture to say that most of these moms who opt out of vaccinating against measles never had the disease itself. It was a miserable experience and one I would never willingly repeat. I did survive and did not become deaf or have other lasting effects from the disease but others of my generation did.

This is a very very tricky subject and there is so much information to learn from both sides. I will say however that there is also an option for those children who cannot have the standard vacination, and that is to be vacinated homeopathically. Now i do not pretend to know all the answers to this method, nor am i saying that this is the best way. I will say that it is effective and a 20 year study on this method has just been completed with positive results in its effectiveness.

www.minihipster.com

I might be a little extreme in my opinion, but I equate not immunizing your children to willing smoking around them or not buckling them up in the car. They are too young to know the risks and dangers or make informed decisions, and that is where it is the parents duty to step in and make those decisions until they are old enough to. If a child can't tell you that secondhand smoke can harm them, or that they should be buckled up in case of an accident, they certainly can't tell you that they don't want to get terribly sick with illnesses that can be avoided with immunizations.

I also had never heard of altering the immunization schedule so that multiple immunizations were not given at one time. I will be discussing this with my pediatrician when I have my 2nd baby in August. My first child seems to have reacted fine. Well, she's two, so I guess we'll have to wait out this age until we get to see her "true" nature. Thanks for the information, and for having the cajones to address this issue without sounding as fascist as I do :)

I've just started reading your blog. You've put into words how I feel exactly. That being said, I live in Switzerland. Very close to the place where the measles outbreak you spoke of started. A young girl who could not be vaccinated died because of other peoples decision not to vaccinate their children who COULD be vaccinated. I was so thankful that my own four children had their shots. As a mother, I could not imagine watching my child suffer with a disease, knowing I could have prevented it with a simple trip to the pediatrician.

I'm currently pregnant. It wasn't entirely deliberate, though my husband and I are delighted. One unfortunate side-effect of the pregnancy being not quite intentional, however, is that we didn't find out until after I was pregnant that sometime between my daughter's birth and now, my immunity to rubella wore off. If we'd been 'trying', we'd have checked it first. So I'm at risk from any non-immunised child, or adult like myself with no immunity, who may be exposed to the disease.

Numerous studies have proven that there is no link between the vaccination and autism. They have also shown a link between autism and exposure to rubella in the womb. So to parents who weaken the herd immunity by refusing to vaccinate, on the grounds that there is a (disproven) link to autism, if your non-immunised child catches and spreads the disease, you have taken away *my* right to have a child without autism (or deafness, blindness or whatever God-awful result of exposure in the womb there might be if it happens).

(That said, I'd rather have a disabled child than a dead one. Also a possibility if I'm infected.)

We are all part of a society and all need to start taking collective responsibility for that society's wellbeing by vaccinating our children (and getting boosters as adults).

For all those people who don't vaccinate because of the link to autism, you need to read this. It came out so long ago and if it's a repeat, I'm sorry, but:

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.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/health/article5683671.ece

Continuously this doctor's papers were rejected by respected medical journals because they didn't hold any real numbers or correlation between the vaccine and autism.

Another thing, yes, the amount of children being diagnosed with autism has gone up. But what has also changed in the past twenty years is the diagnostic standards. Prior, most children who would be considered autistic today were simply labeled as retarded. There was no distinct classification and it has only now started coming out with tests. So yes, more children are being diagnosed with autism, but this is also because autism is now a diagnosis.

I know that it's scary, but people really have to read the entire issue, not just the parts they want. The long and short of it is that there is no medically recognized correlation between autism and vaccines and the doctor who says that there is was found to have lied and changed the results to get his conclusion.

Stop with the unnecessary fears, people. There is enough to be worried about with your child without you making shit up as well.

Thank you for writing this. I'm an OB RN -- but I also grow most of my own food, teach yoga, and just generally take modern medicine with a grain of salt. While as a nurse, it is my job to educate my patients and support their decisions, I feel that the anti-vac movement is conspiracy theory at it's ugliest.

"Which is why I think it's crucial to maintain what I've heard referred to as herd immunity so that those who really have no choice, who cannot receive vaccinations, are protected by those of us who can."

Thank you for this. My son is a liver transplant survivor. Our transplant center believes in vaccinating their transplant recipients with all available vaccines, but many centers do not allow their patients to receive live vaccinations (Varicell Zoster, MMR, etc). These families rely so desperately on "herd immunization" to safe-guard their children. Without it, these children, whose immune systems are deliberately weakened, can die. The medication my son takes to keep his body from rejecting his liver causes him to take a week more than the average child's body does to eliminate an infection. Even WITH his immunizations in place, he spent four days in the hospital last year because he MIGHT have been exposed to Chicken Pox and had to receive IV anti-virals!

Thank you!

I think that your post was incredibly thoughtful about a very difficult subject. Thanks for opening this can of worms in such an engaging manner.

I vaccinated my boy in part because I took my responsibility to the herd very seriously.

First World luxury to Third World health, possibly in the matter of a generation.

Vaccinated my child.

I really appreciated what you had to say and it actually opened my eyes to a new way of looking at this debate. I think you are right. I vaccinate my daughter. I think it's important and the responsible thing to do, not just for her but for others. I just wanted you to know I totally agree with what you wrote.

I agree with you when you say foregoing vaccination is a first world luxury. As someone born and raised in a third world country, such a thing isn't even up for debate. It's like, are you CRAZY? First world countries have managed to overcome many diseases by immunization, but if everyone started skipping it, it sounds to me like a regression. Also, the risk of catching something outside the home or in other countries are very high. I don't know, the pros outweigh the cons for me.

I'm not pointing the finger at anybody, but to me, it just sounds a bit reckless to expose your child to potentially life changing diseases like polio on the off chance and on oft-disproven conspiracy theories.

UGH All we got was a prelude and then a Target commercial...

We have to agree that vaccintaing your children is a sound thing to do - of course in every vaccination there are going to be (a small majority) of children that react differently. That doesn't mean we should all throw out the baby with the bath water. Level heads people! More children are helped than harmed.

I immunized my children on schedule, after consulting with my trusted doctor. Subsequently, I was on a forum where I was attacked by seemingly sensible, intelligent mothers for vaccinating. They pointed me towards all sorts of internet anecdotal or otherwise questionable research. I'm not a doctor (although I watch House and therefore think I am on a weekly basis) and wouldn't dare to presume that I know more than my trusted physician. A friend of mine says that when anyone starts a sentence with, "Studies have shown..." whatever comes out of their mouth next is a goddamn lie. Anyway, what shocked me about the women on this forum was that they actually said that given the "research", any mother who vaccinated their child, whether on the well-meaning advice of their doctor or not, was "abusive". It was simply amazing to me that the debate has become so polarized. All I was saying was that I was not convinced by the internet gobbledygook and decided to believe my doctor, and I was labeled abusive. Shocking.

In my community, you cannot attend school or regulated daycare without being vaccinated. I agree wholeheartedly with this - it is an issue of public health.

Great post.

Volatile waters these debates shove us overboard into!

My problem with the way vaccines are presented to the huddled masses is this:

They are foisted upon everyone regardless of individual immune function, socio-economic status or family history.

Coming from a place of relative privilege-- a white woman living in America with a middle-class income, immuno-healthy children, access to clean water, health-care and the ability to take time off if my children are sick, I am opposed to vaccines for my children "just because".

If our circumstances were different, if we choose to travel extensively or if my children develop issues with their immune systems, I'll revisit, I'm open to the possibility.

While in nursing school (I live and practice in NY state), we had someone from the CDC talk to our class about vaccines and I took it as an opportunity to really investigate the issue with someone who has a very different view than mine. The bottom line from his perspective? Vaccinations vs. naturally acquired immunity is more *cost effective* from the CDC's standpoint.

Cost effectiveness; it bears repeating. I found his admission to be enlightening to say the least and at most, shocking. I don't need or want the State of NY making parenting decisions for me based on how much money they'll save.

I'm fortunate to have 3 very healthy children and a life that can afford me the time to tend to them if/when they become sick.

re GreenWeaver:

Thanks for that. He may have had the vaccine in the last year or so, I'm not sure (he lives in another city now).

Knowing my mother (and her change of opinion), she probably hassled him enough that he has done so. Fingers crossed he has from my perspective!

Thanks again,

Glyn

I thought the same way till I had a boy. Then it all changed. He has had all his shots up till 12 months then I got scared and stopped. There seems to be too many links between the shots and autism. To be perfectly honest I'm scared and don't know who to trust.

One more comment about the 10 month old. That child could have gotten measles from anyone, seeing as how they themselves don't get the vaccination until they are 12-15 months old. It's a risk you take when you travel with a child of that age. Who's to say a vaccinated person with no immunity (like myself) couldn't have contracted measles and passed it along. I would have done everything I could to prevent getting them, but would have anyway and unwillingly passed them along.

HERE HERE Heather!

I have 2 children, the older who has autism. When my 2nd child was born around the time of #1's diagnosis, I researched vaccinations. The major issue of the vaccines was thimerosol -- a mercury based preservative.

I phoned the companies who produce the vaccines who informed me that all the regular childhood vaccinations were "live" viruses -- they contained no thimerosol because the thimerosol would destroy the vaccine.

I elected to vaccinate #2, but I was also a bit taken aback by the schedule. So in a few cases, I broke things up a bit. I would sometimes wait another month to get the next shot.

My autism affected child is now in Grade 4 and it is standard procedure where I live to vaccinate for Hepatitis. The Hepatitus shot DOES have Thimerosol in it. I did feel somewhat nervous about that but felt that the benefits were still better.

I even vaccinated for chicken pox (Varivax). I had been vaccinated for everything as a child, but there was nothing for chicken pox and I remember how horribly I suffered from the disease at age 8. I wanted to prevent my kids from that suffering. Several years ago, my younger was very ill for 2 weeks with pnuemonia and the flu. Everyday I was trying to figure out who would watch him because I couldn't stay off work for 2 weeks -- it was musical sitters. The day he was finally better and back at daycare, my older son's teacher tells me some bad news: One of the kids in the class is affected with chicken pox. I told her that he had been vaccinated. He and the only other vaccinated child were the only ones who never got it. THANK GOD -- because I would have had a nervous breakdown dealing with that so soon after my other son's illness.

However, cost may be a factor too for some parents. I paid $100 for tha vaccination -- at least now it's covered on the regular schedule. All these shots should be free for those who can't afford them, but want them.

I have NEVER regretted my decision to vaccinate my kids. And for those of you worried about autism -- vaccinations did not cause not son's autism -- he was born that way and I have read several studies which all proved that autism and vaccinations are not linked.

Parents with autistic children are angry. We want to blame someone or something for it happening. We want answers. But, there are no answers yet. I do not believe that vaccines are the answer to "Why does my child have autism?"

A small number of children die every year from these "childhood diseases." I could never live with myself if mine did because I chose not to vaccinate.

My great-uncle Jim has just been given 6 months to live. His life has been dramatically shortened by childhood Polio - a disease we no longer have to worry about because of vaccinations.

He won't see his daughter marry, or any of his future grandkids.

People who willingly let their children be at risk for these things (I sincerely hope they have no plans to ever leave the borders of this country!) and put others at risk?

You either have to be really stupid, or extremely unaware.

Now I hear in the media that all this business about autism & vaccinations MIGHT just be a bunch of hooey. Hmmmmm.

As someone who is a passionate about vaccinations, I am so glad that you have opened discussion about this topic. I have seen babies choke and stop breathing from pertussis (whooping chough), teenagers lose limbs from meningitis and adult women struggle with cervical cancer. I am not old enough to have seen polio and measles first hand, but I can imagine how scary it must have been.

I see vaccination as one of the most natural things a body can do. With vaccinations we are putting a little bit of disease in the body in order for the body to build up immunity. This is what the body is supposed to do and we know this from the most elementary science class. It works.

What many people may not know is that there are many different types of vaccines from different manufacturers. Not all DTP, HIB, Flu, etc. vaccines are the same in providing the best protection and the least amount of side effects. Usually, when your physician/hospital purchases vaccines they have chosen to buy them from a specific manufacturer. And once that manufacturer is chosen, the schedule is set and it is often to the exclusion of vaccines from other manufacturers. We are all given the CDC sheets when vaccinations are given, but when are we given the vaccine manufacturer’s product information sheet? Your physician may know what vaccines he/she is giving your child, but does he/she know who made them? Do they know why they should know?

Also, we talk a lot about the debate about vaccinating our children, but what about ourselves? Teenagers and adults need vaccinations, too. If you have a newborn in the house, has your pediatrician or OB/GYN discussed with you that you can indeed pass pertussis to your child? It happens every day. I can't imagine the feeling of knowing that my child passed what could be a fatal disease to his classmates, but I don't even what to think about if I passed that disease to him.

I wholeheartedly agree with you as well. I actually get angry when people don't vaccinate because they are risking the health of many others, not just their own children, such as babies too young to be vaccinated and people with compromised immune systems. People who would be at risk for complications if they contract an infectious disease. I tell parents I meet who don't want to vaccinate to at least get the polio vaccine, if nothing else. People who get immunized in countries where the live vaccine is still used can shed the virus and unvaccinated people will be at risk.

I too heard the story on This American Life on NPR. I thought both sides had an equal voice, but what really hit me was the family that had to be quarantined and miss work and that was that. A choice that was forced on them for just being in the right place at the wrong time!

I also thought that the ending phrase (that someone already pointed out) about neither party changing their views after hearing about the other side was interesting.

We're currently trying to get pregnant and of all the things we've talked about, we realized we had never talked about vaccination. After this story was over, we both turned to each other and had this look on our faces and I said "I know I sound judgmental and this doesn't sound like a question, but I'm vaccinating any baby that comes out of me, you're cool with that, right?" and w/o missing a beat, he said "damn straight". Then we both kind of sighed in relief because we both felt THAT strongly about it that we already had visions of us "duking it out" if we disagreed.

Sure, as a "worst case scenario" girl, the stories of autism freak me out. I don't think I'd ever double up on the vaccines. As so many already pointed out - there are risks, but there are risks with MANY things.

I usually feel that these things are individual choices (as you said, breastfeeding or formula feeding, and no one knows the circumstances, i.e. maybe the baby never latched on so it HAS to be formula fed) but I feel vaccinations ARE about the greater good.

Thank you for your post!!

Great post, thanks for touching on such a hot topic.

I feel the answer to parental fears of autism is not in avoiding vaccincations altogether. I can understand their fears, as a mother of a 2.5 year old and a new baby, believe me, I've had them myself. I feel that we should spend more time and more money on researching a gene that predisposes babies who may be born with low immune systems, thus putting them at more risk for live vaccinations than other "healthier" babies. As I understand it, there has been some research done that indicates this could be a reason that some babies react so poorly to the now popular "doubling up" of vaccinations. If we had a test that determined which babies carried this gene, then THOSE babies' parents could then decide on the "alternative" schedule for vaccinations.

Obviously, we are far from a perfect answer to this problem but as more children are being labeled with autism and the spectrum widens, parents nationwide should be concerned.

Thanks again, Heather for bringing this to our attention as it should stay in the forefront for research.

I know someone whose Mom died of measles. I don't know what the backstory was, but basically, to hear the heartache in this woman's voice when she says that she doesn't understand why people don't vaccinate is enough to give anyone pause.

Meanwhile, I understand that many people feel that same heartache about the autism connection. Yet I know some Mothers whose children are on the autistic scale who do not believe it was anything to do with vaccines.

I think that essentially, more research needs to be done, because what is out there now (vs 5 years ago) is saying more and more that there is no link. Mostly, that the vaccine may have REVEALED the autism earlier, but not that it CAUSED it.

Bravo, Dooce. Now when I feel like I'm getting frustrated with friends who are being pushy about the no-vaccine thing (I'm due with my first kid the same week you are), I will have this post, which I plan to print out and read through. It's articulate, measured, thoughtful, and accurate. Thanks.

I'm an epidemiologist, not yet a mother. What you're talking about is herd immunity--protect your child, protect all children. Vaccinations are the smart way to go for everyone's interest.

well put.

Perhaps already said, so forgive if this is the case.

In response to "Kay" (#143 in the comments) who said: "...he deserves to be able to interact with others his age, no matter how limited his abilities may be. And I refuse to take that small joy away from him because of the risk it might pose to him, or others."

Don't you believe that's a little selfish in light of the fact that, if ill with an infectious disease due to non-vaccination, MY child (or anothers) may become sick, disabled or die? Please don't misunderstand, I'm very empathic to your son's health/disability but not when placing your child's "joy" above the HEALTH of others.

I think the bigger picture & question is, "Where is the line in the sand: does one child's health supercede the well-being of the "community?"

I. Cannot. Agree. With. You. More. Like Asha said, there is no scientific evidence. I have yet to be persuaded NOT to vaccinate. I have discussed this with our doctor in depth and I feel that the risks of contracting (and maybe SPREADING) these diseases FAR outweigh the potential risks.

That said, there are reasons to do a delayed schedule - these vaccinations are for healthy children. If your child is sick I can understand delaying. But never NOT doing them.

I'm sure a lot of the comments have been strong, to say the least. (I haven't read any)

I agree with you--your stand is the same as mine. I believe modern vaccinations are a miracle of medicine, I believe they should be administered to all children (who can tolerate them) and I believe it is dangerously naive to pretend that you are protected if "everyone else's child" gets them. A look back at history, and witnessing the horror these illnesses can bring should make you terrified of the alternative.

Word, word, word, Heather.

If we had to see the ravages of Polio every day, I highly doubt anyone wouldn't rush to get their children vaccinated.

The fact that we can even HAVE this conversation is a testament to how well vaccines work.

It absolutely bananas that people like Jenny McCarthy are allowed a platform to spew some of the most misinformed, alarmist information out there.
Why is anyone even listening to her? She's not a medical professional! And yet she's all over television basically stating she'd rather have our children die from horrible preventable diseases than develop autism.

Are people serious?
They'd honestly risk their child's life for quack science?

This anti-vaccination lunacy has gone on long enough.

That was very well written. I am with you - while I understand why some parents choose to not vaccinate, I choose to vaccinate for some of the same reasons you mentioned. I'm a member of a great mom's discussion board called idob.org and this topic comes up for debate over and over again. Before joining that board, I had no idea that people ever chose not to immunize - it was quite an eye opening thing for me.

I have asperger syndrome. My brother has asperger syndrome. One of his two sons has asperger syndrome. Our mother is schizophrenic. Our mother's mother was schizophrenic. My sister is neither schizophrenic nor has asperger syndrome. None of her children show signs of asperger syndrome nor schizophrenia.

We were all vaccinated. I have read a lot of material about vaccinations over the past 8 years. I have read again and again whatever research I have been able to get my hands on re the relationship of asperger syndrome/ autism spectrum and schizophrenia.

I have been very involved with several autism support groups over the past 3 years.

Here's what I think: We'll never really know - in our current lifetimes. We don't have control. People are born with certain traits and genetic predispositions, and it's not currently (nor will it be anytime soon) possible to know what kicks off certain neurological and developmental "tracks".

I think the "we don't have control" part is the hard part. Others have said here that they feel helpless, or at least that's what I hear. Others have said that when one is a parent one doesn't want to accept/believe that one's biology is partly responsible for any damage to one's child or that child's potential.

The same underlying force that drives one to reproduce is responsible for defining specific attributes of one's offspring, including their predisposition to any combination of potential issues or benefits.

Even if one knew for certain that vaccinations or no vaccinations would lead to a specific outcome for our own children, the idea that we know what we're doing is pretty much completely a moot point.

I wouldn't want to be part of a super-illness or epidemic. The science is pretty clear on what can happen if a disease is not currently likely to spread *but does spread because not enough people have resistance to it*.

I get where parents who have autistic kids are coming from. I can also see that dead kids is a worse scenario than autistic kids.

I was in a mom's group where I was the "minority" for vaccinating my children. I am really happy to see this topic brought up without flaming. My kids have an amazing Pediatrician that I trust more than I trust myself sometimes. She loves my children, you can see it in her eyes when she holds them. I do not believe she would recommend treating my kids in a way that may harm them.

I couldn't agree with you more. Especially the part about how not vaccinating is a first world luxury. I would bet if any mother had seen the effects of polio or the sounds of whopping cough as a child she would have a much different outlook on the benefits of these vaccines.

Thanks Heather! What a great subject to get a lot of feedback on. I agree with you on this one too. My reasoning is how horrible I would feel if my child died from one of these easily preventable diseases. How could I live with the guilt that I could have prevented the outcome? Or...someone elses child getting fatally ill from something my child gave them. I think that vaccinating in some form is best, it's all about having a healthy kiddo!

I have three children, the first had her first year of vaccinations and no more, the second had one series, and the third has not been vaccinated at all. I am not going to enter the debate of what you should or shouldn't do because I am not here to try to change anyone's mind. However, I can say I don't understand the complete trust so many place in pharmaceutical companies and in the advice of doctors without doing their own research. I have seen firsthand how money talks in this country, and I think everyone should pay more attention to whose money is going where and realize that pharmaceutical companies and most hospitals are corporations, and not make decisions based solely on the advice of corporations who are profiting from your decision to vaccinate. So whether you choose to vaccinate or not to, please educate yourself and make an informed decision.

My pediatrician grew up and studied medicine in what was East Germany.

As an intern, she treated wardsful of children suffering from diseases that we here in the G8 nations are now arguing about vaccinating our children against: measles, mumps, rubella, polio, etc., etc., etc.

She watched little kids struggle and die -- long, agonising, painful deaths -- from diseases that we now know how to avoid, and seriously questioned her choice of vocation after she spent days trying to save her tiny patients to no avail. (Thank heavens she stayed with it -- she's awesome, and we're happy to have found her.)

She watched parents, prostrate with grief and guilt, struggle with depression, alcohol abuse, and suicide. (leaving the surviving parent to raise the surviving children alone) - and sometimes the surviving families disintegrate because of the guilt and blame and grief between the parents. Everybody loses.

She's walked the walk, so I have no choice but to listen when she talks the talk.

And HPV vaccine? You can talk to me about the validity of HPV vaccines when you've been treated for HPV and cancer, as my sister and I, and a number of my close friends have been. That's fine -- you wanna believe your daughter will be celibate until her wedding night? (don't forget to invite the Easter Bunny and the Tooth Fairy to her wedding.) What if she's raped? What if her husband brings it to her -- either from a prior relationship, or if he strays? What if he is out of the picture (divorce or she ends up a widow) -- and she marries again? You don't have to be a slut to end up with HPV...and the treatment isn't any fun. Happily, my sis and I are both alive and healthy...and we know we're the lucky ones. The alternative is painful treament, and if they can't fix it, results in another long, painful death that's as hard on the family as it is the victim...and you want to inflict that on your daughter? Are you going to raise her children for her?

I appreciate the fact that there has been primarily intelligent, grownup discourse on this topic...but please, please...get your kids vaccinated, whether it's on the recommended or an altered schedule...but do it.

Wow, Heather, I'm impressed. I knew you were well-spoken and could articulate a point well, but I'm floored by how spot on you were on this post. Not only do you communicate your point extremely well, but it's exactly my feeling on the vaccine debate. I understand that it's a very personal decision for parents to make, but I think many parents don't realize how their decision to not vaccinate can impact other families. This was a great post to make people think - and kudos to you for sounding so non-judgmental. That's really tough to do, regardless of what side you're on in this very heated debate.

** Applause **

In some situations vaccinating a child are a "damn if you do and damn if you don't". but you don't know till it's done.
Family history,the child's health (recent/ongoing cough,cold,flu,virus symtpoms,irritability,sleeplessness etc have to be taken into consideration-even "milestones" should be looked at.

There should be a VACCINATION CHECKLIST (like all OR's should have pre-op checklists)

I think all children should be vaccinated, if healthy.
If there is a family hx- be judicious- try a month later in starting the series, smaller doses to start, then building up.
New parents should STOP taking your newborns to MALLS to shop! While natural immunity is great, again be judicious with a newborn.
(Just so you know, dogs can't be out in "general population" until after their second needle-we protect them!
I also have had a pup with "puppy strangles" a reaction to the vaccinations-so it does happen)

I am 53 years old and my twin brother died at age 7 months
in a large city in Canada-in a well known pediatric hospital-& our Doctor was Chief of Infectious diseases!
-no one knew that there would be complications. My twin was not quite up to his milestones (almost- but not quite) but we both received the series of injections. He died after the 3rd needle. This was 1/2 a century ago-and i don't know if things have changed that much.
It's tough when you worry about these needles BUT it's TOUGHER if a child dies of a disease for which there is a vaccination.

I really like your point about those who don't vaccinate counting on others to vaccinate. The funny thing to me is that autism always emerges around the time kids get vaccinated because that's when their social skills start too. It's a weak correlation and has no scientific basis. Great post!

i just have a word or two to say that someone has probably already said, BUT... i do not have children, and i'm not planning on them. however, if i were to have children, i WOULD have them vaccinated. i'm 40 y.o., i was vaccinated, and, hey, i'm still alive, and actually, no side-effects.

for those of you who choose NOT to vaccinate your kids, i would say to you, "please, contain your entire home in a bio-sphere. grow your own food, mill your own textiles, make your own clothes. home-school your children. do not take them out of the bio-sphere, EVER. find another home-schooled kid to marry them off to."

never, EVER do i want to be in contact with you or your family, because by choosing not to vaccinate YOUR kids, you've made that decision for the ENTIRE world, and that's just selfish and stupid.

Well said. Fully agreed on every single point. I know so many parents who choose NOT to vaccinate their children that I was terrified to bring my infant daughter around their older toddlers (who attend schools and daycares) until she was fully vaccinated herself. And that's a darn shame.

I completely agree. I feel that the real reason we have vaccines is to protect the "herd" not just to protect individuals.

I think a lot about my great-grandmother who lost two children to polio and had 4 children who were forever affected by it. She saw the advent of the polio vaccine and she saw the disease fade into oblivion. I wonder what she would say about parents choosing not to vaccinate against it. I can't imagine it would be good.

I also met a woman a few years back whose daughter was born with a serious and lifethreatening heart complication. At the time that I knew her, the little girl was five years old and had never been to a birthday party, a Chuck-e-cheese, an amusement park, a children's museum or a story time at the library. Why? Because it was literally life-threatening for her to be exposed to chicken pox, measles or any other "childhood illness." In the past few years, many parents in their community had chosen to forego vaccinations and this poor child was nearly housebound. When I met them, the mother was about to start homeschooling. She was pretty adamant about the necessity of vaccinations, too.

I understand that we don't really know what causes autism (although I tend to believe that it is not vaccines) and that there are sometimes religious or other issues that influence parents, but it seems to me that it is playing with fire to choose possible death from polio or another disease over possible autism.

All this being said, I do believe that parents should have the choice. But I also believe that we are very, very close to seeing huge resurgences of these diseases as more and more parents rely on a herd immunity that no longer exists.

Concerns over the link to the MMR vaccination and the effect of a rising body load of infant vaccines was something I wrestled with when my son was an infant 12 years ago. Ours is a solidly autism spectrum family, so I was reading everything I could on the subject. (One nephew with Aspergers, one with severe autism, a borderline Aspergers father, etc.) I found a developmental pediatrician who didn't look at me like I had an extra head when I questioned him on vaccines' possible link to autism, and he agreed that we should "unbundle" the vaccines given to my son. This doctor believed that by giving the infant immune system a lengthier time to adjust to the vaccines, we might be able to avoid overwhelming my baby's system and thereby reduce any chance of autism onset. In other words, rather than giving him the MMR and DPT, he had individual vaccines (eg one for measles, one for mumps, one for diptheria, etc.) We spaced out the vaccines to give his immune system a chance to adjust to the vaccines. We also made sure that he only got jabs that were thimersol-free.

I believe that this was the right approach to take for our family. We both protected our child and the public from avoidable disease and we gave our son (what I believe) was a good shot at not triggering an autistic response. In the end, he had significant developmental delays, but he did not exhibit autistic behavior.

According to our doc at the time, the only reason we bundle vaccinations and adhere to the current aggressive vaccinating schedule for infants is because the CDC doesn't trust parents to come back over and over to get separate vaccinations. In many cases the CDC is right. However, the CDC also directs docs to give infants adult dose vaccinations, which may also contribute to detrimental immune responses from some infants. At least that is what some scientists believe, as do I. At the end of the day, I believe that we could all do with a more balanced approach from the CDC...and better oversight of the pharmaceutical industry. For instance, making sure they stop selling flu vaccines containing thimersol to school systems -- still a regular practice.

Heather - saw you on Oprah and you rocked, btw.

As for this topic - broken record here, but again - ROCKING IT. I couldn't have put my own feelings on the subject any better. Yes. Yes. Yes.

Let me step out a little further and with no intention of offending anyone, just be flat honest ... I really have a hard time when the few parents (moms) I know that are very anti-immunizations get on their soap boxes and go off on their tangents calling educated, well studied, highly inteligent scientists all kinds of names and completely disregarding their YEARS of schooling, research and work ... and these moms know nothing about science, medicine, scientific method, medical research, etc. AND have no formal education themselves. Sorry, but what another anit-immunization mom told you in the checkout line is not science!!! I know not all anti-immunization minded parents are like I've described ... but I know many that are. JMHO

I haven't viewed the video, but I will tell you my tale.

Firstly, I believe in vaccination. I was fully vaccinated as a child and was never ill with any childhood disease save chickenpox which I recovered nicely from. At ten years of age, I got a tetanus shot which caused extreme pain in my left arm, shoulder, upper torso, neck and head. My parents thought it was normal and that I was exaggerating the pain.

At sixteen I cut my arm pretty badly and received another tetanus shot. The same symptoms returned only worse and my throat swelled such that I couldn't breathe without turning my head completely to the right. Once again, my parents felt I was exaggerating my symptoms and allowed me to just get through it. I can't describe the pain in my head, neck, torso and hip - I felt blinded, sick, swollen, like half a person, literally.

Upon the second month anniversary of my first son's birth, I strolled into the pediatrician's office ready to submit my infant for the first round of protection against disease. Among the immunizations he received were live oral polio and DPT. Of course I expected the screams, the tears, the discomfort and my arsenal of baby tylenol, adult tylenol, Pedialyte were all at home waiting.

Sure enough, he clenched his hands (and feet!), flexed his arms and legs in and screamed for all he was worth.

He maintained that position for two days straight and while awake the following three. His eyes clenched shut and didn't open for days. He spiked a fever, vomited regularly, etcetera, etcetera. You've heard it all before, I'm sure.

We went to the ER when his fever hit 105. We were sent home with a pat on the back for the noob parents and reassurance that he'd be right as rain.

Slowly, he seemed to recover but was never quite the same. He developed a bad cold which he had to take antibiotics for.

We went for his second shots and had a similar but worse experience. Once again, we were told to go home, give him cold water baths for the fever, pedialyte, etcetera. The following morning, he was delirious in fever. I decided right then that I would not get him more shots until we found out what went wrong.

Problem is this ... no doctor wants to help me find what went wrong. My son NEVER received the MMR vaccine, so I won't claim that the measles vaccine causes autism, but SOMETHING hit my son.

I have video of him making eye contact as a baby, giggling at me, reaching out to touch my face; then post-vaccine the vacant stare, the constant gutteral hum, lack of returned affection.

I want to be perfectly clear: I want my son vaccinated SAFELY. I have repeatedly told my story to any doctor or health care professional who would listen and asked them for a reference to any immunologist or other doctor who would help me find out what went wrong so I don't endanger my son with further vaccinations. The response I've gotten is either they think I'm "one of those anti-vaccine kooks" or that I should just let them inject him and if he has a problem, bring him to the hospital (like that did him any good the first time around).

It has been speculated by the local health sciences university that me and my son both had a diphtheria reaction and should not get regular tetanus shots (which contain the diphtheria toxoid) ... and the last Tetanus toxoid shot I received (please don't ask what I had to go through to get it) did not give me any reaction.

So ... nobody knows in our sprawling metropolis complete with medical school how to find out what my son reacted to, nor do they care to help me find out how to.

I suppose I can travel the world to find out - and I likely will travel to find out ... when I have saved up enough money and we don't have to hospitalize him again for another breakdown.

I did not vaccinate my daughter but she has not traveled outside the US - we are set to start her schedule. My third son has a different father and is fully vaccinated. Neither of my younger two has any developmental, brain or other disorder.

So, world: I WANT MY CHILDREN TO BE SAFELY VACCINATED. I WILL PAY EXTRA MONEY TO GET THEM SAFELY VACCINATED AND I WILL NOT DO SO UNTIL IT IS DETERMINED SCIENTIFICALLY WHAT OUR REACTION TRIGGER IS.

If anyone in the Pacific Northwest reads this and can refer me to someone within reasonable proximity (I'll go as far as Southern California, so a 1,000 mile radius) please feel free to reply to me or send me the referral directly.

Because I want my children vaccinated for their safety and the safety of all around us.

Thanks.

I've struggled with both sides of this controversy myself. Ultimately, both her other mom and I decided to vaccinate our little one, but we do it on a modified timetable that was recommended by our pediatrician in which all vaccines are administered by the "suggested age," they are just spaced differently and not all given at the same time, which is what some people also link with autism. For our family, this simply meant 2 additional visits to the pediatrician's office before 2 years of age and a vaccination given at one of the well baby exams during which a vaccination otherwise wouldn't have been given.

Heather, I'm glad you went further into your explanation. I have to admit I was really peeved after watching your momversation the other day. Partially because you hate when people tell you how to raise your child and here you were being judgemental. I turned around and wrote a blog about it, in response you your momversation. I hope I explained myself well enough, and I hope you read it.
http://sneathenfamily.blogspot.com/2009/04/vaccinations.html

I agree that people who choose not to vaccinate because of the herd mentality are not doing anyone any favors...

I'm one of those parents who has to depend on the larger population to vaccinate their kids for whooping cough. My son had a severe reaction (turned gray, unresponsive, limp, etc.) from that vaccine after his first or second shot, and his pediatrician and I agreed that it wasn't worth the risk to give him any more. He is up-to-date on all other vaccines, and I fully agree with you that all kids should at least be attempted to be vaccinated.

Well, you only have two left in the holly grail of
off-topic discussions.

You have taken a very logical unheated sane approach to this topic. Thanks!

I'm waiting for:
Circumcision.
Abortion.

;)

A lot of folks have mentioned statistics, and I believe that is the heart of the matter. People have no educated grasp of statistics. Let's just assume that there is a link between vaccines and autism, you are more likely to get in a car accident and DIE on the way to the ped's office, then you are to get autism from a vaccine. Does that mean you stop driving? Of course not, we take that risk every single day. You are more likely to get hit by lightening than win the lottery, yet millions play, every day. People have no basic understanding of statistics, yet claim to be making 'educated' decisions. You can provide to me all the scientific articles and studies available on the internet you want, you are still making your decision based on _feelings_ and not science.

I was vaccinated as a child and I vaccinated my children as scheduled, and never gave it a second thought. My mother, a schoolteacher, was exposed to Rubella while pregnant with my younger sister, and despite all her doctor's precautions and a gamma globulin injection, she gave birth to a child with extreme disabilities. My sister has been diagnosed as a Rubella-syndrome child, and has epilepsy, cerebral palsy and hemiplasia, deafness and severe mental retardation as a result. It makes me wonder what her life could have been like if the unvaccinated child at my mother's school had never become infected. Instead, she will likely be institutionalized for the rest of her life.

As I understand it, the thing that concerns many members of the autism community about vaccinations is the apparent unwillingness of the medical establishment to consider alternatives to the current vaccination procedures. NOBODY wants to see outbreaks of measles, rubella etc. But NOBODY wants to see their children harmed in anyway, and if thousands of parents are concerned that vaccinations may have harmed their children, we should pay attention to those concerns.

So, I think a lot of the anger at parents who choose not to vaccinate is misplaced. Get angry at the medical establishment for not committing to do the research that could make vaccines safer for ALL of our children. Get angry at the medical establishment for not making tests for vaccine sensitivity a routine part of the vaccination process. We should ALL be working to apply pressure on the medical establishment to do these things precisely because of the wider public health implications. This is in the best interest of all of our children.

To Erika (#500)-

I agree. I'm so surprised that you are the FIRST post out of 500 to point this out.

What I don't understand is the amount of trust people have in the medical world and in hospitals and in "research." Don't get me wrong, hospitals and medicine are a wonderful thing, but that doesn't mean that doing the "right" thing can get lost in the lust for the almighty dollar.

Where do most people think all of this research that eveyone is talking about in these posts comes from? Universities. So it must be reliable, right? Well not exactly. You see, universities have to have FUNDING for research and being that the funding is coming primarily from private and corporate interest rather than the federal government (not that that makes much difference, the government is throughly tangled with corporate interests, as we all [should] know) not all research is going to be granted funding. Especially research that goes against the interests of the people or corporations handing out the money.

This makes me suspect. I'm naturally suspect of people in power, of people with money. You have to be. What's truly irresponsible is trusting people without thinking long and hard about what is fueling their conclusions and their agenda.

Here's an example: I live in the fine city of Chicago. I have a dear friend who works in goverment. He has told me that the crime rate goes up and down depending on who is in office to take the heat. They like the guy, murders become logged at suicides and the "crime rate" goes down. They want the guy out, everything is logged a murder and crime skyrockets. This doesn't hit news because they know that if the credibility of the police department is damaged in the public eye, no one will believe anything they say and they will lose their control. Above all else, this control is to be maintained, and for obvious reasons. Know that this trend of crime is being recorded as truthful statistics and many sociologists are doing "research" based on this faulty information.

This is one example. This happens everywhere, everyday. This is not "wacky conspiracy theory." This is reality, people. Be weary. Don't take anyone's word for anything, whether they have "reasarch" to back it or not until you are POSITIVE you can trust it.

I'm not positive I can trust much coming out of medical journals or university research. I, instead, trust myself to think critically and not believe a damn thing at face value, no matter how "credible" the source.

I don't have children myself, unless you count a step ... and his mom had to do all the hard work with that one. Many of my friends have kids though and it truly isn't until recently that this has become an issue ...

I have a friend who is VERY vocal against and because its the only way to have her daughter enrolled in day care, has signed a religious waver.

I have family members who spent months questioning but ultimately went with a delayed schedule. My brother and his wife (she is Swedish) decided that they didn’t want to risk it, both of them had been vaccinated and were ok ... so, they went on the Swedish/European schedule which is much more delayed.

I am engaged to a man who, god help his soul, believes in science over everything else. His son has been vaccinated for everything under the sun. His feeling is, you would keep them from harm any other way ... why leave them open to going through these horrible diseases. I mean, if he ever travels in more remote countries ... whoa.

My own personal experience with this was in high school ... many years ago ... there was one girl who, for religious reasons, was never vaccinated and whose parents signed a religious waver. She came down with the measles ... and the entire boarding school was quarantined for a week. They lined us up in the gym and whoever couldn't prove they had 2 MMRs, they stuck us in the arm and vaccinated us on the spot. Man, parents these days would have FREAKED out about that one. Never mind the fact it was New England Championship weekend and loads of other things ... that poor girl was never truly a part of that school again. She was scorned. I felt awful for her.

I get it ... I do.

If you are ever interested ... there was a good episode of Private Practice that addressed this very issue. I know ... its cheesy drama tv ... but this one was moving and addressed all sides of the issue.

Heather,

As a long time reader, (and mostly lurker), of your site, I felt compelled to comment on this topic. I want to commend you on your thought-provoking stand on childhood immunizations.
I, myself, am in a fairly unique position. As a health-care provider, (I am a Certified Nurse Midwife in Orem, Utah) and a mother to a child with an autism spectrum disorder, I have tirelessly conducted my own research related to this issue. I can say (and I do say-over and over again to patients who have concerns over immunizations with their brand new babies) I wouldn't change what I did with my own kids-if I could. I would immunize them again-even if I believed (and I don't) that those immunizations caused my son's autism.
I worked as a Registered Nurse for years before I went back to grad school, and one of the worst things I ever saw was an 8 year old girl with Whooping Cough. Her parents had chosen not to vaccinate her. She struggled for oxygen with every single breath with the sheer terror of her struggle showing in her eyes. So, again, yes I would absolutely vaccinate my children.
On another note, and another controversial topic, I highly recommend the Gardasil vaccine for HPV, the virus that causes most cervical cancer. The current guidelines are to vaccinate all females between the ages of 9-26. A lot of people (especially in Utah Valley) think they (or their children)are not at risk for HPV, because it is mostly sexually transmitted, but if they had ever seen anyone lose a battle to cervical cancer, I would hope they would protect themselves and their children, regardless of their religous beliefs. Sorry for the long post-obviously a topic I feel strongly about!

Ok, I'm fully aware that nobody is going to read the 538th comment on this topic but I need to get it off my chest anyway. I was afraid to immunize my daughter. While pregnant I interviewed more than one Pediatrician until I found one who would comply with my immunization plan.

My choice was not to forego the shots all together but rather to delay them by a few months and then to do them one at a time. In other words, rather than the MMR we went in 3 times and got one dose of Measles then a week later a dose of mumps then a week later a dose of rubella.

The doctor pointed out that this was more needles, more co-pays and more visits but I knew that godforbid any bad reaction was to happen at least I'd know that I'd done all that I could to keep from over taxing her immune system all at once.

The FDA has tested vaccines and found them safe. I've read the studies. What I have failed to find is a study of the safety of injecting small children with multiple (individually safe) vaccines. Just because each on its own is ok doesn't mean they're safe to give all at the same time.

There- I said it. And even knowing that nobody is going to read the 538th comment.

Thank you Heather for this honest email. As one poster stated, I did not feel that you were being judgemental, but rather honest.

I don't have kids. But I have thought about this question many times... which is worse? vaccinating or not? And I still don't know what I would chose to do. Its been interesting to see I am not the only one out there who finds the topic confusing.

Heather this is the most well written opinion that I have ever read, I am continuously impress with your way with words.

I am as well allergic to the "P" in the old DTP vaccine and was very scared about giving my children that particular vaccine as well. They have changed it for the reason that there are a lot of us out there that had issues with the "P" part of the shot. That is one thing that I can say is that the drug makers do pay attention to frequent side effects and try to make the immunizations better, it may take decades to make the change but it will happen. I have 2 children both of whom I have vaccinated with no ill effects and if I were given the opportunity to do it again, I would. I have personally witnessed how horrible polio is watching my friend’s mother struggle daily with the entire right side of her body paralyzed. I don’t think that I would be able to live with myself if I had not vaccinated and put my children’s health and livelihood at risk.

Thank you yet again for being “brave” enough to talk about a subject that is so very controversial.

I have a 19 month old son who has been vaccinated on a "modified" schedule since birth (he was premature and subsequently has had chronic health issues his entire life). He has had atypical negative reactions to all but two of the vaccines he has received. Having him get the MMR vaccine was a terrifying week for us because part of my job is as a medical researcher and I have read all the horror stories about children whose "light" suddenly went out after this vaccine. Fortunately, he was fine.

I am also lucky enough to know many families with autistic children who say they knew from well before they had the first vaccine that something about their child wasn't right. Until there is a definitive cause identified, I can understand and sympathize with the fear. But as the parent of a chronically ill child who has almost died more than once...I can console myself with the fact that autism is treatable and isn't fatal...devastating yes, but I would rather have my child with me in whatever capacity he is capable than to bury him because of a disease I could have prevented with a quick shot in the leg. One of those scenarios I can live with.

So, vaccinations. Yeah, I have something to say about that. First off, I fully understand where you are coming from. And, I realize that people’s perceptions of issues are mostly formed by their past experiences. I think it’s fantastic that you feel the way you do about vaccinations, because that means you have a healthy, bright child who was JUST FINE with her vaccinations. And that is truly a marvel of modern science.

Where I am coming from is slightly different. There is 15 years between me and the youngest member of my family. My beautiful brother, Graham, who when he was just 2 would sweetly follow a “Please” with a “…and Mommy is beautiful!” After his last MMR shot, the light in his eyes was gone. Now, at age 13, he doesn’t speak at all. He is quite high on the autism spectrum, and for years we have wondered about that vaccination.

Maybe Graham was predisposed to autism and the vaccination kicked things off. Maybe it was other environmental factors. Maybe it was because my parents were in their late 30s with Grant was conceived. Maybe it is genetic. Maybe…

The thing is, I am absolutely hesitant about vaccinations. I am getting married this fall, and my fiancé and I cannot wait to have children. I am truly wrestling with the thought of “Do we vaccinate?” If it IS genetic, will our baby be predisposed to autism? Could we prevent it by not vaccinating? I know what studies have said. And maybe vaccinations had NOTHING to do with Graham’s autism. But, shouldn’t my firsthand experience count for something? For at least my own situation? Everybody’s, of course, is different.

I can see both sides of the coin. Which is why it makes the decision so difficult…

Thank for providing a place for voicing our opinions, Heather. Conversations about these issues are so important.

And to Erica (#534) and Middle Aged Woman (#529):

EXACTLY!

We all want the same thing: healthy children! It's unfair for parents who choose to vaccinate to be angry with those who don't and not the MEDICAL ESTABLISHMENT. I'm sorry, but I'm not willing to put chemical preservatives and heavy metals like mercury and aluminum into my baby. I'm just not. This goes against every single grain of common sense in my brain.

Until non-preserved vaccinations are a possibility, I'm not taking the risk. And it goes beyond vaccines, people. I also don't put chemical FOOD preservatives in my child either. We don't do harmful dyes or chemicals in anything from shampoo, soaps, food, drinks, etc. We also don't drink fluoride. It's harmful in toothpaste which carries the warning, "Do not swallow and contact a poison control center in case of accidental ingestion" but the same amount of fluoride that is in a pea size of toothpaste is in an 8 oz glass of water. And you're supposed to have 8 of those a day.

There are chemicals everywhere that people eat and drink without even thinking about it and vaccines are not exempt. I don't want to see the reemergance of infectious diseases, but right not it's not something I have to worry about. Right now, I'm worried about my childs health TODAY, not future generations. Call me selfish, call me what you want, but if our government were as concerned as you all are about people opting out of immunization, maybe they would listen to our concerns and change the way they do business. Until clean vaccines are a reality, you can count me out.

Sorry if this is a repost, but the NPR show "This American Life" did a story about the CA measles outbreak. I vaccinated both my kids but that story actually made me have the opinion shift that you did.

Can hear for free at: http://tinyurl.com/axmblw

(if link doesn't work, the show name was 370: Ruining It For the Rest of Us)

This subject is such a grey area... I wish it could be as cut & dry. Vaccinate or not. As a nurse I try to stay informed. I've looked up studies (which show no direct cause thimersol and increased autism). I know people who's kids have autism. What I get frustrated with is things like when Jenny McCarthy went on Oprah and claimed "my son is my science" when stating that vaccines gave her kid autism. Correlation is not causation and one story is not science.

I remember when my daughter was little and they offered Oral polio vaccine or injected polio vacine. I, as the mom, had to decide which one to give. I was at a loss. I didn't know what to do (at the time I was not a nurse). I read the info and tried to make the best choice. I gave the shot, even though it would be painful. Now the Oral polio is no longered offered because cases of rare paralysis with it.

I don't know what exactly causes autism. I think it's probably multifactoral but I wonder what research will find in the future.

Hi Heather,
I can't imagine that you'll read all of these comments, but wanted to add my opinion as well. I have a strong opinion about vaccines because my son has a problem with his immune system and can not receive live virus vaccines. That means no chickenpox or MMR or he would get sick from the shot itself. Because of his immune system he has trouble fighting infections as it is. He has been hospitalized every year since birth with something, usually pneumonia for 3-5 days at a time. If he was infected with chicken pox or measles he would be sicker than most kids and would be hospitalized, he could even die. So it terrifies me that we will be starting kindergarten next year with children whose mother's choose not to vaccinate them, putting us at risk of serious disease. My son gets tested every six months to see if his t-cells have increased enough for him to receive these vaccines. Unfortunately it looks like he will have to wait a few more years, and until then we are depending on herd immunity to keep him safe. I hate not being in control, but we have no choice.

My brother wasn't born when I had mumps, and has therefore never had them, leading to worries that if he gets them now he might become infertile.
My mother has changed her mind nowadays and says she would vaccinate if she had to go through it again. When I have children they will be getting the standard schedule. When I travelled overseas I made sure I had all the vaccinations needed before I travelled.
A good reference for information is neurodiversity.com, also some of the bloggers at sciencebasemedicine.org.
Best wishes for the rest of the book tour and the birth of your second daughter!

O and btw... I want to share this with the other mothers here that need a little extra cash and you want to earn it online for free:
Go to www.tinyurl.com/cg4ohp

I am actually extremely new to your site. I just heard about it when I saw your appearance on Oprah.

I have a child with autism and I thought it was kind of interesting that the first time I visit your site you have posted something on the immunizations and autism. Being that I do have a child with austim I've heard so many thoughts on whether or not immunizations are the cause.

I whole heartedly believe that my son was not affected by the shots. He had symptoms from the very beginning. But that doesn't mean that I don't believe that there are some children out there that immunizations could be the cause.

But I wanted to comment on here because in all of the online forums, chats, etc. I've never saw where someone posted anything about their feelings one way or another on immunizations where people didn't start almost rioting over it!

I loved your comments and the comments a lot of people have said on here! Especially #90! Well said!

This "conversation" is terribly one-sided. For the few of you who seem open-minded enough to view the other side and who don't blindly trust the FDA and their practitioners (which is equally or more dangerous than not vaccinating) please check out these websites. www.nvic.org www.thinktwice.com and www.mercola.com There are links to other websites on those as well.

Its fine to say that the loss of a few children (and its more than a few if truth be told... but it never is) is acceptable for the "greater good" until your child is the one sacrificed. And lets not even bring up the complications that may come up later in life because of the vaccines.

No one should have the right to tell you to put your child's life at risk because other children might get sick. Especially when the information is so skewed by a multi-billion dollar industry that is only regulated by those who profit from it. Come on people, do some THOROUGH research. Learn about how vaccines are made, who makes them, who tests them, who publishes the "studies" showing they are safe, check out the information on the vaccine injury compensation, the court process, and who is held liable (it is NOT the vaccine industry, tax payers pay any compensation awarded!). As of right now, the vaccine industry is completely liability-free regardless of injury or death. There is NO ACCOUNTABILITY. I am not saying no one should vaccinate, but the system is FATALLY flawed and someone needs to do something about it and it starts with us- parents.

For those of you who feel that there are some vaccines that are important enough to do, which I completely understand, please check out the form on the NVIC website you can bring to your doctor's office and go over it with them before doing it. The more information you have the better. Most parents that vaccinate just do what they're told because they trust their doctors. Doctors are not infallible. I have two family members who are critically ill from following "doctor's orders."

Childhood vaccinations no longer contain thimerosal (its active ingredient is ethylmercury). See the following website regarding the difference between ethylmercury and methylmercury and for an interesting discussion about autism and childhood vaccinations.

http://skeptoid.com/episodes/4055

I have three daughters, all of whom are vaccinated.
My youngest daughter has Asperger's, something that we began noticing when she was almost four.
I didn't then, nor do I now believe this is a result of her vaccination. Children begin showing signs of Autism or Spectrum disorders around the same age that they are usually vaccinated.
There hasn't been a link proven that I am aware of.

For me, it's simple. If there are diseases out there that can KILL my kid, I'm going to do my damndest to prevent them from getting them.
And truthfully if I knew that my daughter's AS had been caused by her vaccinations, I would still be greatful that she didn't die from measels or pollio or any other HORRIBLE disease that could have easily taken her life had she not been vaccinated. She is an amazing kid and because she is vaccinated, I know she can grow into an amazing adult.
~K

FWIW, my four siblings and I contracted measles, mumps and chicken pox all at the same time. We ranged in age from 7-3. Our house was quarantined. We were infected by vaccinated children (well, except for chicken pox), and we ended up infecting no other children.

This question was a really had one for me with both of my boys. I wrestled with it up until the day of my first's 2 month appointment, when I had to tell the doctor if we would vaccinate or not. We did. And I am thankful, because not 1 month after my boy had his first shots, my husband and I came down with Influenza type B - very rare, and while we were just sick it's fatal in infants. My boy was fine. Complete freaky fluke.

With #2 I figured I'd just go the same route, except he ended up in the hospital for a week at 8 weeks old with RSV and has had chronic breathing problems since then.

With both kids we opted to do the vaccinations but altered the schedule AND did not opt to vaccinate for the smaller ones (roto, chickenpox).

I'm happy with our decision, which as I said did not come lightly. I have a firm belief that our bodies can handle what comes their way, but there are times when we need additional help. I'm a homebirth mom who may homeschool, grows an organic garden, buys local beef and chicken, bakes our own bread, etc - but we vaccinated. It's a balance - do what feels right for your family.

My son is fully immunized on the schedule recommended by his pediatrician. His sister, who I am currently pregnant with, will be as well. I believe very strongly that as a parent and a citizen I have a responsibility to be an accountable member of my community, and part of that is protecting my children and neighbors against preventable, devistating diseases, in the most effective and promising ways available.

Frankly, I don't worry about autism any more than I worry about things like a satellite crashing into my house. I chose a pediatrician whose experience, compassion, and education I trust, and her recommendations carry the weight of those things. I don't blindly follow her recommendations, incidentally; I am well-educated on the subject and I'm aware of the perceived links, and I don't think they outweigh the risks of not vaccinating to my children. I can prevent a host of illnesses by vaccinating my children. There are lots of other things I can't prevent, and I won't fool myself into thinking I can. I was never able to find unbiased information telling me that failure to immunize would protect my children against autism or anything else; everything I read along those lines was questionable research at best and at worst, completely biased, doing more harm to the cause than good.

My son was exposed to whooping cough when he was six months old by a baby whose parents chose not to vaccinate. The baby died, and three other unvaccinated children were extremely ill. In no way is this an "I-Told-You-So" to non-vaccinating parents, but the grandmother of the baby who died, who is a friend of my mother's, says that she has no greater regret in her life than not insisting that her children reconsider the importance of vaccinating (their other children have now been vaccinated.) It was a truly awful, frightening experience that I most devoutly hope no parents ever experience again.

I agree with you wholeheartedly, Heather.

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I understand the need to vaccinate the herd in order to protect the vulnerable. At 20 weeks gestation, I contracted chicken pox that almost killed me. I had had the chicken pox vaccination, and it clearly didn't work.

I will not, WILL NOT, WILL NOT jeoprodize my individual child's health in order to protect the herd. No one else should either. If none of did, pharmaceutical companies would quickly remove the thimerisol, 2-phenoxyethanol, aluminum, etc... that is so controversial.

We were in San Diego on vacation with my then 3 year old at the time of the MMR outbreak and honestly, I can think of no other time that I've been more thankful for having my child vaccinated.

And there is no link between vaccines and autism. The guy who did the "study" said himself just a few months ago that there was no evidence linking autism to vaccines.

Heather, you said this much more eloquently than I ever could and I agree with you 100%.

Just an FYI... Another outbreak of measles in Pittsburgh. Check out this link... story below... about four cases diagnosed this month.

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09094/960646-53.stm

State confirms fourth measles case at Children's Hospital
Saturday, April 04, 2009
By Sadie Gurman, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Health officials said yesterday that they are investigating a fourth case of measles at Children's Hospital, where the infection might have occurred.

A news release from the state Department of Health did not offer any information about the age or whereabouts of the latest infected person.

The department announced Tuesday that two Westmoreland County preschoolers and their 33-year-old father had been diagnosed with measles.

The health department said the exposure to measles might have occurred in the Children's Hospital emergency room on March 10, or between 8 p.m. March 21 and 11 a.m. March 22; between 6 p.m. on March 25 and 5 a.m. March 26; or between 5 p.m. on March 28 and 4 a.m. on March 29.

It might also have happened at the hospital's third-floor Ear Nose and Throat Specialty Clinic on March 23, according to the health department.

Anyone known to have been in those areas at those times are "being contacted for evaluation as a precaution," the health department said.

Measles is a highly communicable rash illness caused by a virus transmitted by direct contact with infectious droplets or, less commonly, by airborne spread.

Symptoms include a runny nose, watery eyes, cough and a high fever.

The incubation period is seven to 18 days, but a person is contagious for four days prior to the appearance of the rash and remains contagious four days after the rash appears. The rash will usually last four to seven days.

Sadie Gurman can be reached at sgurman@post-gazette.com or 412-263-1878.
First published on April 4, 2009 at 12:00 am

Very well said.

I 100% agree with you and came to that conclusion having heard the measles story you mentioned when it happened. I still struggle with the idea, but realized it is the right thing to do for your community. Sometimes it is NOT all about you...go figure.

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To Kim (#564):

Thank you for this post. It was so eloquently written. Brilliant, really. I appreciate your insight and courage and feel that your post helped make me a better, well-informed parent.(Just thought I would spread some of the nauseating ass-kissing around.)

Anyway, you hit the nail on the head. It is up to US PARENTS to refuse to walk blindly into the world of immunization just because our doctor says so. Having immunization to a deadly disease it a great thing, but what is this mentality that we are to take chances and risks for some to benefit the rest? Maybe the rest of you are willing to take chances for your children, but I'm not, especially when things can be done differently.

Nothing will ever change if we just follow the herd and not ask questions. Vaccines CAN BE safer. But it costs more money and the people in charge aren't willing to make that sacrifice and hold the Grand Pubahs of the world accountable. This isn't good enough for me. And it shouldn’t be for you either. If you decide to vaccinate, there is of course a benefit to that choice. However, don't think that because you think vaccines are great and you've made up your mind to vaccinate that your job is done. It's still up to you to make sure your kids are getting the BEST VACCINE POSSIBLE so we can lessen ANY risk that may exist to our kids. If we don't ask questions and stay on top of our game as parents, our only option will be to take what we can get.

My hat's off to those of you who refuse to lie down and just take it. Thank you for speaking out against the crowd to make positive changes that benefit us all, including those children whose parents choose to vaccinate.

Okay, I'm not a parent, so let's get that out there....but I'm a fan of logic and the safety of our children and my future children, so when I read this I was absolutely shocked.

I wracked my brain, thinking hard about everything I knew about Autism and vaccinations, and could not think of anything that had changed in vaccinations since my generation (which shows far less cases of autism) were being done.

So, I went researching (my favorite thing to do!)

For those who really want to think hard about this, PLEASE check out these two links:

The first is all about the Mercury levels in immunization. Please note that while we have had small amounts of it in MMR and TDP vaccines, it was not until the 90's that autism spiked...why?

In the 90's, the vaccine for Hep B and a specific flu virus were added to the reccommended schedule for childhood vaccines, TRIPLING the amount of Mercury our children are exposed to through vaccinations. I was offered this vaccine myself in Highschool, but refused.

Well, my next step was to head over to the CDC and find out exactly what the schedule looks like and when these Hep B shots are administered. Should be Middle or Highschool age, right?

Unfortunately, it's not. Please check out this PDF of the schedule, which you all may or may not have seen. Hep B is administered at extremely young ages now....I personally do not believe the MMR or TDP shots have anything to do with Autism.

But if you look at the first link I've provided, you will see a chart comparing the symptoms of mercury poisoning to the symptoms of Autism.

....I for one will most definitely be altering this schedule for my own children. I believe MMR and TDP shots are dire for the wellness of our nation...but Hep B is not, and I would prefer to at the very least, avoid giving it to my children when they are under 6 years old.

Links:

http://www.nationalautismassociation.org/thimerosal.php

http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/recs/schedules/downloads/child/2009/09_0-6yr...

All that aside...this was really well written, and I thank you for putting this information out there and inspiring us to look into it more deeply! I had no idea they had made the schedule so aggressive since I was little!

Our two sons are fully immunized at 5yrs and 2 yrs. Number three due to arrive in about 4wks will be as well.
I have been tested time and time again, as well as had the vax 4 times in 5 years, and am simply not immune to rubella. This is very scary for me. There was an outbreak when I was expecting our first son and luckily I wan't affected.

I think that people have become very scared of diseases that are no big deal simply because there are vaccinations for them.

There is an old Brady Bunch episode where all the kids get the measles. It's played for exactly what it was: a nuisance. The kids ring bells and drive Alice and Carol batty, but it's simply no big deal. They're uncomfortable for a while and then they get over it.

At the end of the show, Alice and Carol make a big chart on a chalkboard of which kids have had what disease, and they mark off a bunch of diseases (for which we now have vaccines) on a big long list as they chuckle over the hurdle they've overcome. They do not freak out and fear death. They just accept these diseases as a standard part of life.

I think that most families' experiences with most of these diseases in the pre-vaccine days was probably what many of us experienced with chicken pox in our childhoods: it wasn't fun, but we got through that childhood rite of passage just like so many other parts of life.

Sometimes people will become very ill and die from common diseases. That is tragic and I can only imagine the pain of being the mother of a child in that situation. But the reality is that most people will overcome illness through their bodies' own natural processes and standard treatments, and they will thereby gain immunity. The fact that the weak are culled from the herd is a cruel but natural process.

Regarding the research, I think that we need to understand where the research funding comes from. Vaccine manufacturers have deep pockets and their primary motivation is to maximize profit. Parents of children with reactions to vaccines have pennies in comparison. It's disingenuous to think that the research is unbiased. Look at the decades that the tobacco companies were able to stonewall anti-smoking legislation with their "research." Consider how many FDA-approved drugs get pulled from the market when, after several years in real world use, it turns out that they have all sorts of harmful and lethal effects.

I read everything I could get my hands on when I was considering whether to vaccinate my children. Armed with that information, I could listen to my gut and make the right decision for us.

I completely support any parent who decides to not vacinate their children - but it is also their reponsibility to notify anyone and everyone with an unvacinated infant that they may come into contact that their child has not gotten their shots.

This may sound harsh - but how could you live with yourself if your child infected an unprotected infant? How could you possiblly ever expect that parent to forgive you.

So - by all means, made your choice....just don't make MINE!

Great points and a good explanation of why your opinion is so.