MMR Shots

I know that you have gotten a lot of advice but I thought I would let you know that one of the reasons that so many people believe that shots can lead to autism is because most of the vaccines that children get are given around the same time that the signs of autism become apparent. I found this article on the American Academy of Pediatrics.

http://www.aap.org/advocacy/releases/autismparentfacts.htm

I totally agree with waiting. My first daughter did not have her first MMR until she was 4. I have waited on other shots too. I think that waiting is a good idea.

I think many shots are given too early. My first daughter had a severe reaction to the chicken pox shot and my second daughter has yet to get it. I have issues with vaccines. You, as a mother, have the right to decide when and if a vaccine is nessasary.

Just for the record, my daughters are both up to date on their shots (except the chicken pox for the youngest), but it just took a little longer.

Your child should be healthy when you vaccinate and one live virus at a time would be best. M then M then R over time.

I would suggest reading "What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Children's Vaccinations by Stephanie Cave.

If you feel you need to wait then your Ped should respect that. It is your child.

This 1st link will tell of which vaccines currently have thimerosal (49% mercury by weight) in them, as of 3/2008:

www.fda.gov/cber/vaccine/thimerosal.htm#t3

Here are sites for educating before vaccinating:

http://www.tacanow.com/medical/danprotocol.htm
www.909shot.com
www.safeminds.org
www.taap.info
www.autism.com/ari
www.naa.org
http://www.generationrescue.org
http://insidevaccines.com/wordpress/
http://www.thinktwice.com
http://www.nmaseminars.com/index.html
http://www.educatebeforeyouvaccinate.com/
http://www.evidenceofharm.com
http://www.prisonplanet.com/archives/vaccines/index.htm
http://www.vaccinationnews.com/
http://www.ageofautism.com

Good Luck.

Same here!! My daughter has had her shot but my 15 month old son is due for his. This time I am going to listen to my "inner" voice and hold off on the vaccination until he grows a little more. I think your inner voice spoke when you wrote your request. Hope this helps and good luck!!!

While there is much debate about immunization at this point in time, all 5 of my children from 3 yr. to 16 yr. have had all of their immunizations without any complications. As with all parental decisions, the end choice is up to you. We always need to be aware of what could happen to our children if they are or if they are not immunized. A large number of individuals not being immunized may result in rarer diseases making a come back in them. In the same instance, some believe that autism is linked to immunizations. While I am not convinced there is a definate link, it is a possiblity, but so are a number of other variables floating around in today's world. Many so-called "improvements" in our present society all compound together can, also, be contributing factors for autism and other health issues.

Do more research and discuss your concerns with your pediatrician to get his/her opion. Even ask other doctors and alternative health professionals how they feel on the issue. Remember, the choice is always yours.

Pharmceutical companies do make individual Measles, Mumps and Rubella shots. Your perdiatrician would need to order them. You give them 3-4 weeks apart. Your doc can keep the other for you in the fridge with your name on them. This is what I did with my son after my daughter got a fever and rash after the MMR. You may have to pay for them as some insurance companies won't cover the individual vaccines (but we won't go there). If you want to look at a different vaccine schedule that is not the rec'd by the government, go to TACAnow.com

I read Jenny McCarthy's book Louder Than Words and it was a very good book. First, I suggest you read that, then Jenny recommends a book called What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Children's Vaccinations. I read that book and it was very helpful and informative without being pushy about not vaccinating your kids. It suggests a different time line for the vaccinations. My daughter is 14 mos old. I have decided she will not get the MMR until she is 2 and I have found a doctor's office that can order the MMR separated into 3 different shots. So she will get the measles shot first, then 6 mos later I will take her for the mumps shot, then 6 mos later she will get the rubella shot. The book suggests 1 yr between each of those particular shots but I want her to have them sooner since she will be going into preschool by then. There is so much conflicting research that it is all a bit overwhelming. Good luck and know that whatever decision you make, you know what is best for your children!
~A.

The link to shots causing Autism has been disproven and the problem was with the preservative that used in the past, thimeresol, which isn't used in the US anymore. There have been outbeaks of measles in the us though, and I think it is important to protect our children from diseases we can prevent. I know that autism can be a very real worry, but more reasearch is being done and they have found that some types of autism are caused by genetic variations and chromosome abnormalities. My son will be 12months on May 3rd and I plan on getting him vaccinated for MMR on schedule. Good Luck

K.,
I believe it is a personal choice. The research does not prove or disprove that Autism is caused by the MMR vaccinations, so you have to go by instincts. At the same, we are told during pregnancy not to consume lots of food that contain mercury to avoid possible birth defects. In a country where drugs are being recalled all the time, I would not wait for "research" to prove what you already suspect in the back of your mind. As parents, we have to do what is best for our children and not feel bad because we are looking out for their best interest.

hi K. my name K. and i had my son shots done. now I wish that I waited for him turn little bit old.I'm see thing him now that scare me is that he not talk like he should maybe in head but. I have a newphew who has it. but he not really bad with it, my sister think was shots but hard to tell because he just got check for it and he 6yrs oldand I now think my son might have it. they say that it is to soon well some poeple think to soon for but we not doctors, you know you need speak with doctor ask more on it and you thinkl should wait then you know best for child hope this help you

I heard the same thing that one other poster said...the child has to be genetically predisposed to autism in order for the vaccine link to occur. The only thing that concerns me is that ever since parents have been opting out of vaccinations...the incidence of autism has been on the rise. I guess that I am not personally conviced that vaccines are solely to blame for autism. What else out there is a possible cause or contributing factor? We are past the point of concern...my boys have been immunized for 7 years now, but I am not sure what I would do if I faced it today. I am curious what the autism society's reccomendations are in lieu of vaccinations as infants. Maybe that is a good place to start looking for an alternative if you are scared.

K.,

for now, everyone in the scientific community believes this shot does not CAUSE autism. and by believe, i mean it has been tested time and time again. it's pretty much the only thing that has been tested so much for autism, really. you should know that autism signs usually begin appearing at 18 months, which is why so many people jump on the 'it's the vaccine that did it' bandwagon. it's so devastating, who wouldn't want something or someone to blame? people who have been naturally immunized also get autism, it's just not many people do that (or hadn't in the past, so data is limited - also it's hard to say "ha! my kid WOULD have gotten autism with the shot but didn't" we have no idea who will or won't get it.

here's another (of probably many that you'll receive on both sides of the issue) website to visit. my pediatrician had me start here to answer

http://www.immunizationinfo.org/

my thoughts: you got the shot, your other sons got the shot and everything turned out fine. the 'more information' that is out there now is HEAVILY weighted toward the 'not cause' versus the 'cause.' do research of course, but remember who will respond here, and when you look at websites - try to balance the blogs and articles with scientific research. we doctors aren't out for blood - we really really want your child to be safe and healthy.

all the best to you and your family.

also - you don't have to pay out of pocket for your son's shots. philadelphia has a program for free childhood immunizations, no matter what your income. i don't have time to search for the website, but it's out there. check it out. when you're ready, you can bring your son to that facility and get your MMR there.

hi K.,
i vote that you wait. I also think that maybe you should request to have the shot split up into 3 separate shots. that way it cuts down on the interactions of the "suspected" ingredients (although -i hate to admit- they really haven't been linked to autism if you do your research)
I also recommend checking out the book by Dr. Sears call the vaccine book. it has been a great resource for me and my little one. we do a very limited number of shots at a time, and are holding off on a few specific shots until after he turns 2-3. their little bodies can only tolerate so many bombardments at a time!!
good luck!

First there is a correlation between the shots and autism not a causation. You must understand that many children get these shots and do not develop autism. I understand where you are coming from I have two children of my own 3 and 5 months and I have one nephew who is autistic. My sister in law is convinced that it was the shots but again there is no solid proof at this point. What they are working on right now is linking some of the preservitives to autism but it still at this point boils down to a genetic issue. Even if the shot or preservitive has something to do with it there is still some genetic predisposition to getting or having autism. Right now there is no cause and looking at the vaccines and what they prevent which is worse wondering if the vaccine will "cause" the autism or the child or children around the child developing one of the diseases which for children are fatal in a lot of cases. Do your other kids have autism? Did you give them their shots? Talk to your doctor maybe you can even hold off for a little while until you get more information. Good luck whatever your decision may be, I'm sure whatever it is it will be in the best interest of your child, only you ncan decide that.

K.,

There is a ton of information out there on vaccines and staying informed can be hard. If you haven't already read it, I highly recommend Dr. Sears The Vaccine Book. It's an objective look at the pros and cons of each shot.

One point that Doctor Sears makes is that for the first go round, many kids do better/have less reactions to separating the vaccine into it's 3 individual components. The Measles, if I remember correctly is the most objecitonable and hardest on their little systems.

Be aware also that there are 2 MMR vaccines: MMR and MMRV. The CDC has just released a study linking the MMRV (which is the MMR + Varicella/Chicken Pox) to a higher incidence of febrile seizures and complications so I would recommend getting the MMR over the MMRV. That being said. We've decided to hold off on any more shots until our daughter, (now 6 months) is over the age of 2, when we'll pick up with the 6 month shots, using Dr. Sears alternate schedule. I plan to separate the MMR for the first go round.

S.

GOOD FOR YOU!!! Holding off is fine...sorry your doctor didn't see it that way. Don't let them fool you..they can break the shots up. It's a insurance issue. My doctor even told me that. My son is due for the "next" MMR and he's NOT GOING TO GET THAT.
I've had my son in vaccine recovery for 2 yrs now...IF he would start to fall ill again..it would be most tragic.

Look into delaying shots is a personal choice only you can make for your child.

Best wishes

HI K.,
I can totally understand your concern. I have 3 boys (4,2.5,5months) as well and my second son had a reaction after the MMR shot and regressed in many areas of development. He got the shot at 15 months and shortly after was evaluated for EI and receives many therapies now, 4 different ones, 4x a week. I would tell your doctor about your concerns and ask to delay this shot as long as they will possibly let you. Feel free to contact me via email, if you have any other questions.

L.

Hi K.,
I too was terrified, and my gut said no. The ped. showed me that there was no thymerosol(sp?) in the shot but I chose to have it seperated. I took my daughter to the health dept and paid for them sperately. But the piece of mind it brought me was unbelievable. Well worth the time and expense. I recently saw on the news, that there is reportable causation for mutliple vaccines and autism, the govt knows about it but it is not reported in any medical journals. The reason they stated is that your child has to be prone to autism ( how does one know). They don't want to scare the public for fear that no one would get their kids vaccinated and we would have more illness if that happened. I don't know who broadcasted it, but you might be able to google it. I have many many friends with children with autism and I wasn't willing to take the gamble. that is what I did.
best of luck in your decision - it's a hard one
diane

Hi K., I know this email is late, but when I saw your post, I thought I would respond. My daughter is now 28 months old and I waited until 20months for that shot. Our pediatrician was fine with us waiting, as long as eventually we would get her this shot. I am like you in that I was so hesitant to give her this particular shot, although I am not thrilled with the amount of vaccinations our little babies get. I don't see the harm in waiting a few more months, even until he is two. Better for you to have some peace of mind right now, I say. Will you let me know what you decided? Thanks.

N.

Hi K.,

I know you already made your decision but I thought I could add my 2 cents. My oldest son is autistic. We don't blame the mmr because he started talking at 1 year and stopped by 14 months...before he received the mmr. However, we have waited until the rest of our kids (we have 4 total) were 2 before they got their mmr. Twice I had no problem once I explained my reason. Only once did I get any grief regarding the delay in the mmr, but I held my ground and my son got his mmr at his 2 year appt. I agree that spreading the number of immunizations out over a longer period of time can't hurt. I wish you the best of luck and know you're not alone!!

B.

Hi K.!
I am in the same predicament with my 10mnth old. I know a lot of my friends are holding off on all the shots until their children are ready for school. My mom always says she thinks its crazy how many shots babies are given these days. She said we had like two or three total before we were school age. I think I may hold off on them especially on the MMR. I know it's such a scary thing. Just know that you are not alone in feeling this way. Wish you and your family the best. Leah

You are going to read allot of scary BS from radicals out there. Don't believe it. You cannot get Autism from immunizations! If you don't want to have it all at once, see about splitting them up. Ask the doc on the oldest age they recommend for the shots. But honestly, the risks with the shots are FAR less than if your child was to get the disease while not protected. Protect your children and the rest of the public.

K. B
mom to 5 including triplets

Hi,
just wanted to let you know that your question is excellent and I felt the same way you did when it was time for my boys to get their mmr shot. I reguested my Dr. break the shot up into 3 shots and also made sure that he ordered mercury free shots for my children. Just remember whatever your Dr. tells you, you are the mother, go with your instincts. You can never be too careful and I think its a good idea to wait until your son is a little older. Most children show signs of Austism by 18mos. My nephew has aspergers syndrome and my sister in law swears it's b/c of the shots. Good luck,

Hi K.,
I understand your concerns. My son is now 5 and I remember being terrified of the immunization risks. When I researched it on the internet, I remember being convinced that the benefits far out-weigh the risks.
Also, remember that when it comes time for him to start school, they require certain immunizations spaced at specific intervals.
Ultimately, I think everyone has to make their own decision based on their own beliefs. I chose to immunize per my pediatricians recommended schedule.
Good luck!

Both of my kids are on revised vaccination schedules due to fear of autism. My nephew is severely autistic and his parents believe that it was triggered by the MMR shot that had mercury in it.

As far as the MMR shot goes, we break them up. My son got 3 separate shots 90 days apart. All three are live viruses, so I like to give his body time to heal between each.

K.-
After reading articles on immunizations linked to autism I understood the link was caused due to the high levels of perservatives that were in the shots - not one shot in general.After receiving the recommended dosage these levels were too high in many children, and they were too young for their bodies to flush out these chemicals. Although no one has excepted any wrong doing or over sights, they have begun packaging the shots differently. I'm not saying I am totally correct, but this is maybe an avenue you would like to discuss with your doctor and.

K.,
This is a very difficult decision!! I understand what you are going through!! I and many friends I know have opted out of the MMR shots as well as others. Here are a few things to consider: My sister's pediatrician advised her to skip the MMR because of all the negative side effects of this particular shot as well as DPT! I KNOW several people who all give the same testimonial about their child becoming noticably different after this particular shot. Also, my midwife and I talked about this after my birth experience. She disagreed with having all of these things together. Where in the known world are you going to contract Measles, Mumps and Rubella on the same day?!! And in one tiny body!! The same goes with Dyptheria, Pertussis and Tetinus!! Unfortunately, these shots are the ones where parents see the most side effect, some are life altering. It breaks my heart to talk with moms who see thier baby clear eyed and bright one day and then completely different the next. Please research extensively before making this important decision. YOU are the parent and you can choose to have the shots you want for your child at any time you decide!
Best wishes!
M.

I quit vaccinating my children after I started researching the vaccines. Many vaccine companies quit using the thimerosal, but they have replaced it with formaldahyde (what they use to persevre dead bodies with) and aluminum. That was just one of the reasons I quit. There are a number of other ingredients that I question the saftey of along with other things.
As some of the other posters mentioned, maybe there has to be another factor for the vaccine to be linked to the autism. But what if your child has the other factor? The government just recently settled a case where they admitted that a childs autism was directly linked to the vaccinations that she recieved at 19 months. According to the polio insert from the vaccine, more cases of polio have been caused by the vaccine than any other cause from 1980 through 1994 (119 from the vac. 8 from anything else.)
As for school, you do not have to have the shots to enter. You do have to sign off that you have a strong belief that they should not recieve them, and they have the right to exclude your child if an outbreak should occur.

If you want to hold off then do it. I think its a good idea.