There are those in the autism community who believe certain vaccines like the MMR caused their children's autism. I am not one of those. Nate's was not a regressive case, where he was "fine" and then, one day soon after a shot, lost skills, language, etc. Looking back, we can see signs all along in Nate's development. However, I agree with the experts (like in the book I'm currently reading, Changing the Course of Autism: A Scientific Approach for Parents and Physicians) who posit that autism is not merely a genetic disorder, but a disorder perhaps involving some genetic predispositions (in the brain? gut?) that are triggered by environmental factors that affect the gut, brain, and other areas of the body. One of those environmental triggers might be some of the ingredients in vaccines.
Some studies have found that children with autism are unable to process certain metals, like mercury and/or other vaccine ingredients, properly. Their bodies hold onto these materials, sometimes to toxic levels, which can then manifest in "autistic" behaviors. I'm being as careful as possible with Lucy's vaccinations since 1) autism tends to run in families and she may also have those "genetic predispositions" and 2) I've been finding out what's in these vaccines (a lot of junk, including aluminum, formaldehyde, and human tissue!).
Lucy got her first shot, the Hib (prevents Haemophilus influenzae type b bacteria, which causes bacterial meningitis, pneumonia, and other infections) at five months. Babies' immune systems often aren't ready for shots by two months, so we gave Lucy's body more time to develop. I'm getting her vaccinations one at a time (more spread out), so she only gets one shot at each doctor's visit, as opposed to the four or more that is standard protocol*. Also, she won't get the combination shots like the MMR; instead she'll get separate measles, separate mumps, and separate rubella shots. Here's how I plan to do all of her shots (probably not exactly to this schedule, but in this order and not any sooner than the ages listed):
5 months: Hib
6 months: DTaP
7 months: second series of Hib, IPV (Polio)
8 months: DTaP
9 months: third series of Hib, IPV
10 months: DTaP
15 months: measles
17 months: fourth series of Hib, IPV
27 months: rubella
39 months: mumps**
4-5 years: boosters for the measles, rubella, and mumps** shots (if possible, though, you can check for "titers" before giving boosters and may not need to give the boosters at all)
4 years: Hepatitis B
I haven't listed the chicken pox (varicella/varivax) vaccine because I may not get it for the children at all. I may file exemptions for both Nate and Lucy for some shots. Several states, including California, allow parents to file "philosophical exemptions." This way, they can still attend any school. FYI, California's school immunization record form has space on the back for a "personal beliefs" exemption request.
The book I've gotten most of my information from is What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Children's Vaccinations by Stephanie Cave. I like that the author, a doctor, isn't completely anti-vaccine; she just gives a fuller picture about what's in each vaccine, possible side effects, how best to protect our children, etc.
* More information on why I'm spreading Lucy's vaccinations out and only getting one at a time: "Marcel Kinsbourne, M.D., a pediatric neurologist and research professor at the Center for Cognitive Studies at Tufts University, expressed his concerns about multiple dosing to the House Committee on Government Reform when he was asked to speak on the subject of vaccine safety. Dr. Kinsbourne told his audience that 'when several vaccines are given at the same time, they may have adverse effects that none of the individual vaccines have when they are given by themselves....' In addition to the added assault on the immune system when more than one vaccine is given, injecting several vaccines makes it virtually impossible to know which one is responsible for any adverse reactions that may occur" (Cave, 2001, pp. 33-34).
** I keep thinking of more stuff to add! Lucy might not get the mumps shots at all. The major threat of the mumps disease is male sterility. (In addition, the rubella disease is rather mild except in cases where a pregnant woman contracts it; it can kill the baby. So girls don't need the mumps vaccine as much as boys do, and boys don't need the rubella vaccine as much as girls do.)
Edited to add: The book I'm currently reading presents evidence that the main issue with the MMR is the measles portion, and even separated out, the measles vaccine has caused problems.
Update January 2008: I have since decided not to get any vaccinations for Lucy. She has gotten the Hib (once at 5 months and once at 9 months), so I will probably get the other two rounds of that shot for her, but nothing else right now.
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13 comments:
So interesting, I'm going to tell Sara about your research and books you've read, it's too late for my kiddos but any kids to come I will be researching a lot more! I'm not anti-vaccine either, I think they are important to get but I totally agrre with your method of one at a time!
katie, i really respect how much time you put into your research. you are a great mother who cares deeply for her children and their well being. You are wonderful! And i am interested to see if more people become aware of these issues and of all of the stuff in vaccines between now and when i have children, and if so, if there will be other options...
Great research! :) Too late for my kids too. We spread Zoe's out a tad also, but I am just too afraid of her getting sick. It's not worth it to me. I had Spinal Meningitis when I was a baby and I almost died. Everything I had to go through, and all the time I spent in the hospital hooked up to machines, and things... I am terrified my kids will get it too. Getting these vaccines all at one time make sense to me just because it's once and that's all. I totally understand the reasons you have for getting her vaccinated one shot at a time. I think it will be a lot easier on Lucy. :) I know both my kids probably wish they could only have one or less shot a month. Zoe had to have an extra shot during the flu season called Synagis. It's to help prevent sickness (colds, flus, etc) in preemie babies. I remember one dr. visit she had to get *7* shots! It was REALLY hard! Zoe cried A LOT! But, after about 1 hour she was happy and doing fine. The chicken pox I have to get because Mike continues to get the chicken pox when exposed. He gets them over and over again, and every time he gets them it gets worse. Yikes! :) You are a great mother doing all of this research! I commend you for it. :)
Katie, we're very much on the same page here. We will be delaying & spreading out Ezra's vaccines as well. Why did you chose to start Lucy @ 5 months (vs. 4 or 6?)? What has been your ped's reaction? We have E's 2-month appt. in 2 weeks, but I think we're going to decline the vaxes at that point.
Ash - Good question! I would have started Lucy at 4 months, but I didn't make it into the doctor until she was 5 months old. Cave recommends starting at 4 months or later.
Oh, and our pediatrician hasn't been the most supportive of my vaccination decisions, but I figured he wouldn't be. He also rolled his eyes (figuratively, anyway) when I told him about the enzymes we're trying with Nate. I've been thinking about trying out a different pediatrician.
Yeah, I'm dreading telling our ped. that we want to wait, cuz we left it at just not doing all the vaxes at the 2-month, but probably still doing some. Now I think we're backpedaling on that one. Finding a more holistic doctor (ped. or otherwise) is quite the challenge!
Sorry to hear that your pediatrician is rolling their eyes at things you are doing with YOUR child. LOL. That is ridiculous, but I know it's not uncommon. I have definitely heard many stories... even some where the pediatrician refused to see the patient because of it. It happens quite frequently. I know this whole vaccine thing is *very* controversial. It's a hard thing to talk about sometimes because of all the opinions about it. Fact or not fact. While I won't hold off on any vaccine for my kids, I totally respect yours and Ashley's decisions on your choice. After all... they are *your* kids, right? :)
Wow... that's a lot of information. Is there a pop quiz at the end? Just kidding!
Hey. Just looked up some info on vaccination exemption allowances here, and basically... you wouldn't want to move here. LOL! Not that you were going to. ;) They only allow the exemptions if it's against your religion, or if a doctor says the vaccination could be detrimental to your child. Just checking things out on my home front. :) Thought it was interesting.
I was wondering what your thoughts are on this: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071018/ap_on_re_us/vaccine_skeptics;_ylt=ArCrs6MDGS_spoc4iDSepMys0NUE
And I have been reading and really appreciating your comments on my blog! It's strange to get back into writing again (which is why it's not always making sense). I am so glad I'm not alone in the "undo" problem! I find myself doing it so often--even more than I let on. Let's start a support group! :)
Nell, I had read that article before you even commented on it. What stood out to me was one section where it says, "Even though government-funded studies have found no link between vaccines and autism..." This is interesting because the book I'm currently reading speaks in-depth to these so-called studies and their methodology (or lack thereof), funding, and research bias. The government and pharmaceutical companies have billions of reasons to keep vaccines as they are now and sweep potential problems under the rug. I'm not a conspiracy theorist, but I do believe the general public is purposely not made aware of all that is in vaccines!
Hi Katie! Thank you for sending me the link to your blog. And thank you for sharing such useful information. Josh and I have been keeping up with Nate's vaccines up until his 12 month appointment when suddenly I froze. I just flat out said no. Without having done any research, I just didn't have a peace about it. And once I started looking into what I felt in my gut not to be right for our son, I knew we had made the right decision. With everything Nate has going on in his little body as it is, , with the extra cerebrospinal fluid on his brain, and with Josh having a cousin with aspergers, I don't feel confident that he wouldn't be in the small group that could be affected. I'm truthfully alarmed by what I've learned. I believe there is no question that the govt is well aware that these vaccines (MMR in particular) can trigger autism in those that have a predisposition, but are willing to allow it for the "greater good" and keep an epidemic from occurring. I'm thankful that we can be advocates for our children and make informed decisions on their behalf! Nate hasn't had any vaccines since his 6 month well baby visit. and from what we've read, we've decided to (one at a time, and we're in no rush to do it) complete the pertussis, diphtheria, tetanus, and polio vaccines. I'm thankful that I'm able to stay home with Nate so he isn't at daycare being exposed to more germs. It helps to ease my worries. At this point I would gladly never give him any part of the MMR vaccine, but that may change down the line. IF we decide to move forward with it we will definitely split it up and spread it out over a period of time. But what you said about the measles being the main problem, even in isolation, very much concerns me.
Ok I'm rambling! Thank you again for the information. And our Nate thanks you too!
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