Health Buzz: MMR Vaccine and Autism, and Other Health News

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Skeptical?

I am the parent of a 16 year old with Autism and I still think that the MMR Vaccine could have possibly had something to do with my sons Autism. I don't believe however it was the cause by itself, I think it was in combination with something else, genetics, environmental, something. I do NOT believe any study will ever prove anything though because they are all funded by special interest groups intent on proving these vaccines safe.

The schizophrenia study was so full of holes it was laughable, it was an insult and offensive to parents of autistic children and was similar to the refrigerator mother theory of the 60's, no mental illness runs in my family, I know many other families with autistic kids and no mental illness there either. Depression was more common in parents of autistic children, well DUH! I could have told them that and saved them the thousands spent on that brilliant theory. I too wish more money would be spent on researching ACTUAL causes and less trying to prove these vaccines safe.

What says Dr. Healy?

As you note, Dr. Healy of US News previously reported on the idea of autism and vaccines. Two of her comments were (1) that people were afraid to look for susceptibility groups and (2) people need to look at the actual kids who got sick. As we can plainly see, both statements were wrong. People have been looking (keep in mind that there were 20 studies cited in this new paper all showing no link). This team was working on exactly studying the kids who got sick. Similarly, there is a study in the works (scheduled for publication this month) that looks at kids with autism and thimerosal. Indications are that study will show no link as well. When does this end?

Yes, please go do some research.

It would be refreshing to have a dialog that has information at it's root. Learn the Scientific Method and become informed as to how studies are conducted. Learn the difference between correlation and causation. Study Occam's Razor as a fundamental principle.

"Scientists at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health's Center for Infection and Immunity and researchers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Massachusetts General Hospital, and Trinity College Dublin" conducted the study being referenced.

And of course, supppport continued research.

Age and anecdotal experience bring little to the discussion. On the other hand there is no such thing in the "real" world as "statistically average".

It's high time we begin researching the actual causes (and possible reventions and cures) for this and other conditions.

But let's not ignore the desperation of parents of special needs children (I am the father of a 16yo with Autism). We all struggle as we are seeking solutions whether in medicine or in meeting our children's social and educational needs.

vaccines

i am over 50 and i have never had any of those shots. people need to really do some research and just see what these vaccines are instead of listening to all the junk they write about it.

The safe way to immunize if you still have fears

As a mother of a child with Asperger's Syndrome, I understand the fear of immunizations. However, when my daughter was born, we chose to immunize her. We did alter the traditional immunization schedule though.

My daughter has no more than 2 shots at once, and will have no combination shots. The shots aren't at the regular intervals, but are spread out, especially the ones in the first two years. Many she won't have until she's older. The MMR will not be given, but in it's place she'll have a measles shot, then several months later a mumps shot, then awhile later a rubella shot.

I have discussed my concerns with my pediatrician, and he has been very understanding and has helped me come up with an alternate immunization plan, discussing the risks of each and how to lessen the potential of autism. I encourage those who have concerns to find a good pediatrician and discuss alternatives with them.

While I am concerned about autism, I also do not want my daughter to suffer from potential dibilitating and life-threatening diseases. There are ways to minimize the risk of both, and I'm doing what I and my doctor agree is necessary for her safety.

Please remember why we're all upset over this

I think we have to keep in mind here that we get heated over this because Autism is a very significant disease that most of us have experienced in one way or another.

I understand and sympathize with why people prefer not to get vaccines as frequently or at all for their children. But my greatest is that this excessive focus on vaccine and autism will divert research away from people studying other environmental causes and genetic factors.

Since the advent of genetics, many diseases have a genetic component. Even AIDS. There are a group of people born without a particular immunological receptor that makes them immune to HIV infection. We have to keep an open mind in order to figure out what exactly is Autism.

Autism and Back to Sleep Campaign

"Vaccines Work, Don't Be Stupid"

I support vaccines 100% too. But, we now are giving kids way too many.

We should stick with just the basics. Now, Big Pharma and the American Academy

of Pediatrics (the Marketing Department for Big Pharma) want babies on

anti-cholesterol drugs.

Personally, I think there are 3 main factors that caused the autism epidemic:

1-the 750% increase in infant back sleeping since 1992

2-the 500% decline in tonsillectomies for kids since 1965

3-the advent of "container culture" since the 1990's

These 3 factors coalesced in the 1990's to give us the Autism Epidemic

Vaccines Work, Don't Be Stupid

"95% of research findings are false." People like you making up statistics like this are a higher contributer to this problem than trained researchers doing their jobs.

However, the findings are moot anyway: babies and young children not dying of diseases we cured decades ago is worth any imagined or real risk of autism. Just because we have a vaccine, doesn't mean the disease has been wiped from the planet - it just means people don't see plagues if it devastating lives like they used to, unless you work in an ER and are trying to explain to an idiot mother why her baby is dying of an age-old 100% preventable disease because she opted out of the "dangerous" vaccine.