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kajk (246.1 days ago)
While I have had both of my children immunized they are considered `far behind` in their shots as I like to spread them out and give more time in starting them as well as the doses they get... but this is what I found except I wonder why studies always say `no link of cause or PROVEN to cause` instead why don`t they say `is proved to not be an influence or contributor to...` ??? It makes me worry and wonder a lot of what ifs and I think it is retarted (excuse the term please) that children are denied education `rights` and access to play groups based on a families personal decision to not get vaccinated... Anyways: Do immunizations or thimerosal cause autism? Numerous studies have found no link between vaccines and autism (a developmental disorder that`s characterized by mild to severe impairment of communication and social interaction skills). Likewise, a groundbreaking 2004 report from the Institute of Medicine (IOM) found that thimerosal (an organic mercury compound that`s been used as a preservative in vaccines since the 1930s) does not cause autism. Still, some parents have opted not to have their children immunized, putting them at great risk of contracting deadly diseases. The MMR vaccine, especially, has come under fire despite many scientific reports indicating that there`s no clear evidence linking the vaccine to autism. In fact, in 2004 a long-disputed 1998 study that suggested a possible link between autism and the MMR vaccine was retracted. Even before the retraction, not only had other studies found no link, but the controversial 1998 study was rejected by all major health organizations, including the AAP, the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the World Health Organization (WHO). There`s also no reason to believe that thimerosal is linked to autism, according to the 2004 IOM report. Nevertheless, in an effort to reduce childhood exposure to mercury and other heavy metals, thimerosal began being removed from kids` vaccines in 1999. Now, vaccines for infants and young children contain no or very little thimerosal. And recent studies have not shown any cognitive and behavioral problems in babies who might have received these thimerosal-containing vaccines. So what could explain the increased rates of autism in recent years? For one thing, there`s a broader definition of autism that can be applied to more kids who show varying degrees of symptoms. A greater awareness of the condition among health professionals also has led to more diagnoses. And although the number of children diagnosed with autism may be increasing, the rates of MMR vaccination are not. In London, diagnoses of autistic disorders have been on the rise since 1979 but rates of MMR vaccination haven`t increased since routine MMR vaccination began in 1988. In addition, the average age of diagnosis of autism has been found to be the same both in children who have and who have not received the MMR vaccine. What many researchers are discovering is that subtle symptoms of autism are often present before a child`s first birthday — sometimes even in early infancy — but often go unnoticed until the symptoms are more obvious to parents. What do you think??

ready (274.3 days ago)
professorpreggers, I can`t agree with you more. You said everthing that I would have said except. Our medical field is trained to hand out shots and medican for every little thing. We need to stop being SCARED into taking shots and drugs. Stop believing everything you hear that a doctor or our goverments tell us. Its not all true. I think some ` OBVIOUSLY DON`T CARE ABOUT YOUR CHILDS HEALTH` if your so nieve that you don`t at least research your FACTS before shotting your child with harmful cheimicals. I`m sorry the comments from leanie093 are stupid!!!! Wake up and educate yourself a litte. I`m not saying I have all of the answers. I don`t know enough about immunizaton. I haven`t done as much reading on the subject as I need to. However, I will not get any shots for my child until I do. And, I think everyone should do lots of reading before choosing either way.

professorpreggers (279.3 days ago)
I`m with you as on this concern over vaccinations. I am not going to vaccinate my child right away. Those of you who suggest that she dosen`t care about her child by asking these very important questions might want to do a little research. These substances that get pumped into our babies have NOT been properly researched and are known to cause serious problems, including Autism. If this was not the case, do you really think these drug companies would be paying out settlements to familes with children who have suffered since the vaccinations? Down the road, we`re going to find out that these vaccinations have harmful substances in them and the drug companies are going to be forced to deal with this. OUr medical field lacks significant advancement and our FDA is a total joke. There are countless heartbreaking stories about normal kids who develop autism after these shots. Seriously, you might want to do a little research now and again! I commend this mom for agonizing over this issue and maybe a few more people should.

captshelley (279.9 days ago)
Do what YOU feel is right. The one thing I`ve learned so far is that I will never get everyone`s approval. Don`t worry about the rest of the family, only you and your DH need to make this decision or find a compromise. Atleast in my household, I`m the one who makes the ultimate decision regarding our daughter because I`m the primary care giver and because I SAID SO...lol. Good luck girl...do what your heart tells ya.

jeanette (280.1 days ago)
Read this website for tips on how to safely immunize: http://www.askdrsears.com/thevaccinebook/

jeanette (280.1 days ago)
There is controversy over wether they cause autism or not. My doctor is seeing my son every month in order to give only 2 shots, instead of four at each visit. Some doctors offer the MMR shot seperated into M, M, and R done a year apart each. I spared my day old son from getting the hepetitus B shot in the hospital, and I`m glad I did because it obviously effected him when he got it at 1 month old. He either screamed or slept the whole day, poor thing. With one in 150 children developing autism these days, it`s terrifying what people are saying: that the CDC refuses to do the research. On Larry King, a family was on talking about there kid who got nine shots at once and developed Autism. The government settled with them and paid out of court with funds from the immunization injury fund.

jeanette (280.1 days ago)
There is controversy over wether they cause autism or not. My doctor is seeing my son every month in order to give only 2 shots, instead of four at each visit. Some doctors offer the MMR shot seperated into M, M, and R done a year apart each. I spared my day old son from getting the hepetitus B shot in the hospital, and I`m glad I did because it obviously effected him when he got it at 1 month old. He either screamed or slept the whole day, poor thing. With one in 150 children developing autism these days, it`s terrifying what people are saying: that the CDC refuses to do the research. On Larry King, a family was on talking about there kid who got nine shots at once and developed Autism. The government settled with them and paid out of court with funds from the immunization injury fund.

leanie093 (280.2 days ago)
i don`t know what parent in the irght mind wouldn`t want their baby immunized. Babies can catch absolutely anything. Their immune system is no where up to speed yet, they can`t fight any serious infection or disease if they catch one. now if any one is against immunizing their child they obviously don`t care about their childs health.

daisybaby (280.2 days ago)
measles had once pretty much been eradicated. there are outbreaks now because people are not having their kids immunized.



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