Vaccine Debate

Are Vaccines Linked to the Increase in Developmental Disorders such as Autism?

-By Tela

I’ve been reading about the risks and benefits of vaccines for years and while my first born Britton received most of her vaccines according to the current schedule, I’m considering other alternatives for my 2^nd daughter, Laurel. With Britton, I opted to vaccinate her but I did ensure that all of her vaccines were Thimerosal-free. This is the mercury-based preservative for storing vaccines that was commonly used at that time and is still used now in some vaccines such as the flu vaccine, which has been shown in some studies to be linked to developmental disorders in children.

In my recent research, I came across Generation Rescue, an excellent website for articles on vaccines & their possible causal link to PDD (Pervasive Developmental Disorder), Autism & ADHD. This website also offers vaccine guidelines and alternate schedules to follow in order to help prevent these possible effects such as the Danish Vaccination Schedule or the 1983 U.S Vaccination Schedule. Another alternative is the vaccination schedule as recommended by Dr. Donald Miller:

1. No vaccinations until a child is two years old.
   
2. No vaccines that contain thimerosal (mercury).
   
3. No live virus vaccines (except for smallpox, should it recur).
   
4. These vaccines, given one at a time, every six months, beginning at age 2:
   Pertussis (acellular, not whole cell)
   Diphtheria
   Tetanus
   Polio (the Salk vaccine, cultured in human cells)

What’s amazing is today’s child receives in excess of 30 vaccines, whereas in 1983 children received a total of 11 vaccines. That’s a 300% increase! Why? It’s big business for the Pharmaceutical Companies, whose Lobbyist ensure that the current guidelines remain in force despite mounting evidence that vaccines may be the cause of the explosion in developmental disorders, especially in boys. There is evidence that the various preservatives such as Thimerosal used in vaccines, is the cause for this increased incidence. However, until the evidence is conclusive, our children will continue to receive more and more vaccines preserved with toxic substances. I think 2 vaccines have been added just in the last two years since my first daughter was born.

If you choose to opt-out of the traditional vaccination schedule, you may need to provide something in writing, should your Pediatrician require it. I found a website that provides sample forms based on Georgia law but you can probably find one for your state by simply doing a Google search. You can also use a Religious Exemption Form for when your child enrolls in school, or Philisophical Exemption in some states. Please keep in mind that I’m not a lawyer and this does not constitute legal advice. Nor am I advocating that parents stop vaccinating their children altogether. I just think that some caution should be used in the number of vaccines given to newborn/young children during a short timeframe (which also happens to be the time when children are most susceptible to complication in their development).

I encourage you to read as much as you can about this issue, so you can make an informed decision instead of relying solely on your Pediatrician, who more than likely will tell you to vaccinate your child 36 times in 4 years to avoid any liability. A summary of safety vaccination guidelines follows, thanks to Defeat Autism Now! (DAN!):

DAN! Vaccination Guidelines:

1. Use Thimerosal / Mercury free vaccines!! – The only way to know for sure a vaccine is mercury/thimersol free is to read the insert yourself! Many doctors still have mercury/thimerosal vaccines sitting in the refrigerators! And yes, mercury /thimerosal containing vaccines are still being made!! Be sure to be 100% sure!
2. Do not vaccinate newborns.
3. Avoid re-immunization with a vaccine after a previous bad reaction.
4. NEVER vaccinate ill children or children recovering from an infection.
5. Space vaccines – do not give multiple vaccines in 1 day. (THAT INCLUDES vaccines that have multiple viruses! Split them up!)
6. Use single dose vials from which to draw up the vaccines as opposed to multiple-dose vials which provide less uniform dosage.
7. Use inactivated polio. (the shot, not the drops)
8. Give RDA (Recommended Daily Allowances) of Vitamin C before and after vaccines
9. Give a natural form of Vitamin A ( cod liver oil ) to keep RDA’s at level at all times for the age.
10. Separate the MMR into 3…start with measles at 12-15 months, then mumps at 18-21 months, rubella at 24-27 months.
11. Do not give live virus vaccines to immunodeficient children.
12. Do not give vaccines if allergic to any of these components:
    1. Yeast – Hep B
    2. Eggs – MMR
    3. Neonycian – MMR or Varicella
13. Hold off on the Varicella until 10-12 years & if the child is shown not immune to Chicken pox.
14. Checking vaccine titers before giving boosters (Most people are immune after one dose. We continue to get multiple doses that MAY NOT BE NEEDED. Have them check antibody levels via titres blood test.)

Another website to visit is Safe Minds, which speaks to the issue of mercury induced neurological disorders. This has valuable information regarding the Flu Vaccine that you should read before vaccinating your child this flu season. I encourage you to do your research as there is so much information available regarding this topic that wasn’t there even 2 years ago. Please post any comments you have or stories to share.

Thank You for Reading!