Vaccinations: Be Informed

[j miller]

Really good info on vaccinations. 

[Mr. J]

Amazingly, the beginning post has been up for days without being subject to mindless attack! 

Either this section of the forum is being ignored, or people are beginning to think for themselves rather than mindlessly following popular notions.  I can only hope it is the latter.

Read, study, and turn on those critical thinking skills which so many schools and universities are so adept at turning off.  The life and health of your children and grandchildren depends on it.

[Wycliffes_Shillelagh]

The rate of autism in children has gone from 1 in 10,000 to 1 in 100 in the last 25 years.  But really, all vaccinations are safe.

At any rate, my children can't get into school (or a lot of other places) without them, so it's kind of academic.

[Mr. J]

Yes, autism rates have gone up tremendously, but only for populations being vaccinated.

[Bon Voyage]

Yes, autism rates have gone up tremendously, but only for populations being vaccinated.

Are there any other variables that could be affecting the rates of autism that also go along with a society that vaccinates that could contribute to the rise in autism?

[Mr. J]

American children who do not get vaccinations do not have the autism problem of vaccinated American children.

Are there other variables?

Do we really have to make it complicated?

Vaccines (many, maybe not all) are loaded with toxic stuff.  Mercury, Aluminum, and even MSG.  Lord knows what else has been slipped in.  Common sense needs to be put to use at some point.  Mercury in not good for anybody, much less the developing brain.  And so on, and so on.

[saved_by_grace]

Mercury poisoning and autism have identical symptoms, however this please keep is not the only cause of autism and that genetics also plays a big role.  Some say that injury at birth or to one's head can cause autism as well, however I don't know that this kind of injury is an actual cause of autism.  If vaccines are of concern, you do have the right to request a mercury free vaccine.  For the most part, I too think the vaccines are rather safe, but I still request mercury free now that I know they are available.  Since I already have an autistic child (maybe 2), but I will  not knowingly allow mercury to be injected into my children when it's a known fact that mercury is not a very safe substance.

I know a family who has an autistic child who chose not to have their child vaccinated.  I also have reason to believe that my son was born autistic, but I do not know what has caused his autism.  I'm guessing that it either has to do with genetics or medications I was put on when I was pregenat with my son......Personally, I think my son was born with it, but by the time he was 2 or 3, it became clear that he falls within the spectrum.   I have a cousin with Aspberger's Syndrome and there were enough similarities that I have pushed for answers.  Where I live, it's taken 9 1/2 years, but my son is officially diagnosed as being autistic, ADHD, and mild MR.  Minnesota isn't exactly among the land of opportunity when it come time to raising special needs children.

[Bon Voyage]

I wonder if some of the cause of increased rates of autism might have anything to do with lots of older mothers and kids in daycare without as much love as they need.

[saved_by_grace]

I wonder if some of the cause of increased rates of autism might have anything to do with lots of older mothers and kids in daycare without as much love as they need.

Older mothers run a higher risk of having a baby with Down's Syndrome, but I don't think it has anything to do with autism.

[Bon Voyage]

I wonder if some of the cause of increased rates of autism might have anything to do with lots of older mothers and kids in daycare without as much love as they need.

Older mothers run a higher risk of having a baby with Down's Syndrome, but I don't think it has anything to do with autism.

Found this:

http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2007-04-02-older-parents-autism_N.htm

Of course other articles can be found that in some ways contradict the study

[Imabear]

Vaccines are evil?  Let's read about Polio and measles for starters:

...polio was one of the most dreaded childhood diseases of the 20th century in the United States. Polio epidemics have crippled thousands of people, mostly young children; the disease has caused paralysis and death for much of human history. Polio had existed for thousands of years quietly as an endemic pathogen until the 1880s, when major epidemics began to occur in Europe; soon after, widespread epidemics appeared in the United States. By 1910, much of the world experienced a dramatic increase in polio cases and frequent epidemics became regular events, primarily in cities during the summer months. These epidemics—which left thousands of children and adults paralyzed—provided the impetus for a "Great Race" towards the development of a vaccine. The polio vaccines developed by Jonas Salk in 1952 and Albert Sabin in 1962 are credited with reducing the annual number of polio cases from many hundreds of thousands to around a thousand. Enhanced vaccination efforts led by the World Health Organization, UNICEF and Rotary International could result in global eradication of the disease.

Measles causes extensive disability and death among children in developing countries, killing an estimated two million annually.

Gives you something to think about.

[Imabear]

Vaccine-wary parents spark public health worry
More opt out for fear of reactions, but do they endanger everyone else?

"When more than 10 percent of a community opts out of vaccinations, it leaves the entire community at risk because germs have a greater chance of causing an epidemic,

[internationalelf]

The rate of autism in children has gone from 1 in 10,000 to 1 in 100 in the last 25 years.  But really, all vaccinations are safe.

At any rate, my children can't get into school (or a lot of other places) without them, so it's kind of academic.

According to what study? sounds bogus.

You anti-vaccine types are almost as bad as the Jehovah's Witnesses who think blood transfusions are evil.

[j miller]

You anti-vaccine types are almost as bad as the Jehovah's Witnesses who think blood transfusions are evil.

Nice smear tactic.   Doesn't address or rebut in any way.  Just mudslinging.

[cristals mama]

I wonder if some of the cause of increased rates of autism might have anything to do with lots of older mothers and kids in daycare without as much love as they need.

Older mothers run a higher risk of having a baby with Down's Syndrome, but I don't think it has anything to do with autism.

Found this:

http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2007-04-02-older-parents-autism_N.htm

Of course other articles can be found that in some ways contradict the study

All I can say is I had my daughter at age 37 and against all odds (cervical cancer w/very little of my cervix left intact),
Dr's said I probably couldn't even get pregnant, nevermind carry a baby to full term but God said different- I prayed for a baby (God put the dream of her in my heart more than 10 years before that), got pregnant carried to full term (cervix instead of being weak was reinforced by scar tissue).  I prayed everday I carried her for a beautiful, healthy intelligent child who would love and serve God, and although it worried me greatly to put any of those substances in he little body, she has had all the childhood vaccines because they were required in the state where she was born but despite all of this she is exactly what I prayed for- beautiful, healthy (has never had a serious illness and maybe 2 very short term colds in all of her almost 5 years of life) and she is way intelligent beyond her age, learning about Jesus and I know that part of my prayer for her to love and serve Him will be fulfilled.

So my conclusion is, I don't like the idea of any man made substance going into my child but God is greater then any of these things, He can protect our children and is always there when we call upon Him- He loves them so much!

[Bon Voyage]

Vaccines are evil?  Let's read about Polio and measles for starters:

...polio was one of the most dreaded childhood diseases of the 20th century in the United States. Polio epidemics have crippled thousands of people, mostly young children; the disease has caused paralysis and death for much of human history. Polio had existed for thousands of years quietly as an endemic pathogen until the 1880s, when major epidemics began to occur in Europe; soon after, widespread epidemics appeared in the United States. By 1910, much of the world experienced a dramatic increase in polio cases and frequent epidemics became regular events, primarily in cities during the summer months. These epidemics—which left thousands of children and adults paralyzed—provided the impetus for a "Great Race" towards the development of a vaccine. The polio vaccines developed by Jonas Salk in 1952 and Albert Sabin in 1962 are credited with reducing the annual number of polio cases from many hundreds of thousands to around a thousand. Enhanced vaccination efforts led by the World Health Organization, UNICEF and Rotary International could result in global eradication of the disease.

Measles causes extensive disability and death among children in developing countries, killing an estimated two million annually.

Gives you something to think about.

I didn't have the MMR vaccine until I was 16.  Because of an allergy to some of the ingredients in the vaccine, had I been given it as a youngster, I would have died.  That must be why I am a world class genius and others are not.

[Imabear]

I didn't have the MMR vaccine until I was 16.  Because of an allergy to some of the ingredients in the vaccine, had I been given it as a youngster, I would have died.  That must be why I am a world class genius and others are not.

They didn't have the MMR when I was a kid.  I did have measles as a young child.  Years later my sisters were exposed to the mumps by some friends, I was fortunate enough to be away at my cousin's house, so I missed that outbreak.  I was never exposed to Rubella.  I finally had my MMR at about age 29, when I changed jobs and the new employer required it.

For quite some time the vaccination rates have been so high, that it has prevented widespread outbreaks, and people like you never came in contact with infectious folks.

[Imabear]

An interesting note.  This week I took my Pediatric Advanced Life Support recertification.  We were discussing pediatric airway emergencies, choking, croup, epiglottis, etc.   The instructor asked us when we saw our last case of epiglottis in a kid.  (My last case was a young adult male who tried to swallow a centipede on a dare.  Don't try it.)  The last kid I saw was eons ago.  She told us that it have become extremely rare, because kids are being vaccinated for H. flu (Hib), which is the leading cause of epiglottis.  She warned us that we might see an increase in the coming years, due to the fact that many parents are refusing to get their kids vaccinated. 

[Imabear]

This is a portion of an email that was distributed at work today. 
Be aware that outbreaks like this will be more common as people are more reluctant to get their children vaccinated.
Most parents of youngsters today have never seen a case of pertussis.  If current trends continue... that may change.

The Pennsylvania Department of Health released the following statement on November 5, 2008, regarding options for active surveillance, prevention and treatment for those exposed to pertussis.
 
It has come to the attention of the Pennsylvania Department of Health that residents in various regions of Pennsylvania have been diagnosed with pertussis and cases of pertussis are increasing statewide and throughout the nation. Therefore, the Department of Health recommends the following:
 
All suspected or confirmed cases should be immediately reported to the Pennsylvania Department of Health at 1-877-PA-HEALTH or to the local health department where the patient resides.

Consider pertussis when evaluating any infant, child, youth, or adult with an acute cough illness characterized by prolonged cough or cough with paroxysms, whoop, or post-tussive gagging/vomiting. Infants may present with apnea and/or cyanosis.

Pertussis, or whooping cough, is an acute infectious disease caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis. B. pertussis is a small aerobic gram-negative rod. It is fastidious, and requires special media for isolation.

The incubation period of pertussis is commonly 7 to 10 days, with a range of 4 to 21 days, and rarely may be as long as 42 days.
 
The clinical course of the illness is divided into three stages.
 
• The first stage, the catarrhal stage, is characterized by the insidious onset of coryza (runny nose), sneezing, low-grade fever, and a mild, occasional cough, similar to the common cold. The cough gradually becomes more severe, and after 1-2 weeks, the second, or paroxysmal stage, begins.
• It is during the paroxysmal stage that the diagnosis of pertussis is usually suspected. Characteristically, the patient has bursts, or paroxysms of numerous, rapid coughs, apparently due to difficulty expelling thick mucus from the tracheobronchial tree. At the end of the paroxysm, a long inspiratory effort may be accompanied by a characteristic high-pitched whoop. During such an attack, the patient may become cyanotic. Children and young infants, especially, appear very ill and distressed. Vomiting and exhaustion commonly follow the episode. The patient usually appears normal between attacks. Paroxysmal attacks occur more frequently at night, with an average of 15 attacks per 24 hours. During the first 1 or 2 weeks of this stage the attacks increase in frequency, remain at the same level for 2 to 3 weeks, and then gradually decrease. The paroxysmal stage usually lasts 1 to 6 weeks, but may persist for up to 10 weeks. Infants under 6 months of age may not have the strength to have a whoop, but they do have paroxysms of coughing.
• In the convalescent stage, recovery is gradual. The cough becomes less paroxysmal and disappears over 2 to 3 weeks. However, paroxysms often recur with subsequent respiratory infections for many months after the onset of pertussis. Fever is generally minimal throughout the course of pertussis.
 
        Older persons (i.e., adolescents and adults), and those partially protected by the vaccine may become infected with B. Pertussis, but usually have milder disease. Pertussis in these persons may present as a persistent (>7 days) cough, and may be indistinguishable from other upper respiratory infections. Inspiratory whoop is uncommon.
 
        The most common complication, and the cause of most pertussis-related deaths, is secondary bacterial pneumonia.

  All cases and their households/close contacts should receive prophylaxis regardless of age or immunization status. Pertussis immunity is not absolute (100%) and may not prevent infection. Older children and adults with mild illness can transmit the infection. Close contact is defined as face-to-face contact, direct contact with respiratory, oral or nasal secretions, or being in the same hospital room or open ward with a coughing pertussis case.
 
        Those most at risk of serious and fatal complications are children <6 months of age and immunocompromised individuals of any age. Assuring chemoprophylaxis of these populations is of paramount importance. In addition, exposed individuals who live or work with people in these groups should be targeted for prophylaxis. This includes child care and health care workers. Women in the third trimester of pregnancy should also be targeted for prophylaxis due to the risk of transmission to their newborn infants should they develop pertussis.

[sopranette]

I just took the boys for their flu shot yesterday.  Having three little ones sick with the flu at the same time would be a nightmare!  Getting mine next week.  My boys have had all their shots.  I've heard about the supposed risk, but the diseases these shots will prevent are very serious, some deadly, and were a very real threat not all that long ago (like polio).  I've also had probably every immunization available.  I used to work in a clinic and must have read thousands of children's shot records.  I never saw even one complication, never.

love,

Sopranette

[Bon Voyage]

I am practically immune from the flu from not being a clean freak.  When I lived with my brother before I was married, the dishes would be in the sink for about four months until my Mom or girlfriend (now wife) took pity on me or got disgusted with the maggots growing in the sink and what not.

[sopranette]

Oh, no, Gary!  You said the 'm' word.......

love,

Sopranette

[Imabear]

A good article from CNN about vaccines:
http://www.cnn.com/2008/HEALTH/family/11/05/par.vaccine.kids/index.html?eref=rss_health

Also while browsing around the internet at work today I found a story about a woman in NYC who has an autistic son.  The woman had used donor sperm.  She went back and did some snooping around and learned that 3 of the 6 offspring that "donor X" had produced were autistic.  One of the remaining 3 was showing some autistic traits but was yet to be diagnosed.  Interesting huh?