A Parents' Guide to Managing Vaccinations

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"Dr." Sears disagrees with just about every other doctor on the planet and doesn't base his anti-vaccine claims on empirical evidence. Why is he being treated like an expert on this matter when he doesn't even understand the difference between safe levels of a substance and dangerous levels of a substance or the difference between ethylmercury and methylmercury, mistakes we wouldn't expect a first year medical student to make?

Skepacabra of NJ 10:12PM April 07, 2009

My husband and I are about to become parents for the first time and I find the vaccinaion issue disheartening. On some levels, the vaccine manufacturing companies should be ashamed of themselves for not supplying further research and the gov't and/or the CDC for not overseeing the whole proccess. I understand the difficulty in seperating and studying the effect of each new vaccine but lazyness and lack of creativity is no excuse and we all know it's not due to lack of funds.
Our children are at risk in more ways than one.

Martina Grattan of NY 3:43PM April 04, 2009

My doctor only provides the MMR as a single shot and not separated into individual shots. I suggest that you call around to find a doctor that provides the single shot. It is available.

Michele of CO 12:52PM April 03, 2009

the one size fits all ideology doesn't work...no matter what your take on vaccines, some children deserve the 'benefit of the herd' and not get shots if there are things in their profile that may be contraindications....either Short term [cold] or LT [developmental delays as a start].
I have had 4 pediatricians--now my 5th, 4 of them lorded over me, despite our child's complicated medical history, on the subject of vaccine deferral. I'll sign any form...just let me be the parent. I don't get it. My God is not their God...

Mary of MA 1:00PM April 02, 2009

I love Arthur Caplan's comment about the doctor/patient relationship being a negotiation rather than a dictatorship. It's so important for parents to think for themselves and to make decisions that are best for their individual child(ren). It's equally important for doctors to openly listen to parents. I'd like to see more thoughtful, two-way conversations happening between doctors and parents about vaccinations.

Stephanie of AZ 6:50PM March 27, 2009

Interesting that with the major CDC study that neither proves nor disproves the vaccine / autism link, the data disappeared so it can't be re-examined. The CDC claims it was deleted to protect the privacy of the participants, yet HIPAA privacy laws specify this is not a valid concern, as data used for research must be stripped of personal info. Hmmm. A cover up? Possibly a calculated move to ensure we all continue to believe in the vaccine schedule -- and the CDC and the pharmaceutical industry? Where is the journalist willing to examine this possibility, and the publication willing to risk the wrath of big pharma and lost advertising dollars to publish the story if it's really so? What if we really do lose our largely vaccinated status, because a rigid pro-vaccine stance raises so many questions that we stop believing the arguments altogether? The argument that the question is settled and we don't need any more examination of the question seems based on public relations and marketing principles, not good science.

David H of MT 1:04PM March 25, 2009

For any parent interested in the single measles, mumps, and rubella vaccines that Merck Drug company stopped making, I suggest calling them and then writing a letter to them. Then follow up monthly. The more calls and letters, the more they will know that parents really want this.
Merck
Re: MMR
P.O. Box 4
Mailbox # ZB714
West Point, PA 19486
Call 1-800-672-6372 press #2 then #3

Shannon of TX 2:29PM March 08, 2009

While I agree that no scientific study has conclusively supported the link between autism and vaccines, the CDC's own research does NOT rule it out. Their research was not able to disprove or prove the link- a very different thing than proving that there is NO link. As well, the latest research done by the MIND Institute- the leading research organization on autism in the country- so far suggests that there is a genetic predisposition to autism- exacerbated by a number of toxins, vaccines included. They have, in fact, developed a test for prospective parents to take to see if they carry the gene mutation. Why is this not advertised? I don't know the answer-but it seems that anyone who may be concerned, due to family history, etc., might want to take the test.
I'm not sold on the vaccine/autism link, to be sure. I AM sold on the fact after doing a fair amount of research that the CDC's studies (usually funded by pahrmaceutical companies) are often flawed-or 'interestingly interpreted'. I try to keep in mind that their main purpose is disease prevention-a noble goal- but one that sometimes causes them to overlook potential dangers. For very recent proof of this, do some research into the above-mentioned Gardasil- and how little research was done before its debut- not to mention who conducted the research- surprise!- the very company that has manufactured it and poured millions into its promotion.

jenni g of CA 6:20PM March 05, 2009

Is someone developing a vaccine against irresponsible journalism? It is desperately needed.

Sandra Hosford of NC 9:26PM March 04, 2009

This story continues to state the complete nonsense that vaccines cause autism; (not a single bit of evidence showing this and dozens of studies showing it is not true); that multiple vaccines cause problems or are too much at once: (total medical nonsense. Children are exposed to literally thousands of antigens every single day, which the immune system handles just fine. The few extra from immunizations are not significant); that thimerisol causes problems; totally disproven, no thimerisol in vaccines for close to a decade, yet autism still rising. Perhaps thimerisol was protective?); that spacing vaccines makes sense (it does not and delays immunizations causing risks to the child and risks to others); Dr. Sears position is great for selling books and promoting the autism industry that takes advantage of desperate parents, but has absolutely no science behind it, a fact that Dr. Sears and his acolytes conveniently ignore.
The outbreaks of measles, Hib meningitis and other preventable diseases will be commonplace if this craziness is not stopped now. Do we need dozens of dead children on CNN before someone (read the media) stop promoting this.
Listening to celebrities and celebrity doctors is a poor choice for parents. Unfortunately, no amount of science will change their views. Your coverage just spreads the fear to parents and puts us all at risk.

Herschel Lessin MD of NY 3:44PM March 04, 2009