My husband and I are expecting our first baby in a little less than three months! I am an NJ resident and teacher (three classes away from my masters degree) and know that this state has the highest rate of autism in the nation. I have read that mercy has been removed from immunizations, but have also read account of parents noticing a difference in their babies/child immediately after receiving shots.
I also know with the new HIPAA laws, it is much easier to enlist a child in school without immunizations for you only need to list religious reasons, whereas before you needed to list your religion as well as what part of your religion that prohibits immunizations.
What I am looking for is reliable resources to further research the effects of immunizations and its links to autism. I am interested in journals, books, reputable websites as well as parent accounts.
I also want to know if there are mandatory shots my baby will need to enter school, regardless of HIPAA laws, for I do not plan to home school.
I am also curious if other states have the same HIPAA laws for my husband and I plan to move out of state before our son starts school.
I also wonder if the risk of autism is reduced if the immunizations are given at a later age, for example as a toddler or child verses a baby.
A great reference resource that lists every ingredient in every vaccine type and describes it purpose, pros & cons is new and called simply: "The Vaccine Book", by Dr. Bob Sears.
Also, lists a modified vaccine schedule, a minimized vaccine subset AND the ideas if one chooses not to vaccinate, along with references for state requirements.
I have a child on the spectrum and I do vaccinate but not on the governments schedule. If I had to do it again, I would not let them give my children the vaccines on the day they are born (I think it's a hep vaccine)and I would not give more than one vaccine at a time. (which I do now!) There is a web-site www.tacanow.com that has a recommended schedule and some guidelines to follow. Look for Vaccine schedule on the sidelines. It is very informative and may give you some helping making your decisions. Congratulations and I wish you well.
Whether you get the shots or not, your baby will be just as God wants him to be. I too, have 1 child and worried of all the dangers out there as well. She has received all of her shots and is a beautiful 19 month old girl. She has no special needs and everything works as it should. Even if she required extra attention, I know God would grant me the grace to do so. I watch children in my home and can assure you, taking advantage of our advanced medical world is helpful and usually the safest way to go. I also am a research guru because I like to know my options and what is to be expected in the end.
Let go of any fears, let God take control and enjoy this time of taking care of your body so you can take care of your baby.
All will be well and you sound like you will be a wonderful mother.
God bless and have a happy and healthy delivery!
Sincerely,
Stepmarie
Get Dr. Sears book about immunizations. My hubby and I decided on an alternative vaccination schedule because of the potential risk from receiving so many vaccinations at one time. Our pediatrician is very cooperative. We go in once a month for vaccinations and split them up. My son never receives more than two at a time, and he does not receive live viruses. Good luck. Get the book. :-)
Hello S., I am a 40 year old mother of 3 who no longer has her children immunized. I have an 11 year old who has ADHD which I attribute to the vaccines, which still had high levels of mercury in them. she was an adorable angel child and around 18 months turned into a very difficult, hyper and anger little one. My nine year old at 6 months got bacterial menningitis, close in time after 6 month shots. She was very sick and hsopitalized for 2 weeks. I just do not trust what the DRUG COMPANIES put in the vaccines.
If you decide to have your baby vacinated, wait until he is a little older and have them break up the shots, do not get multiple shots at one time. It is too much of a shock to their immature immune systems. L.
We have three children, all boys and wrestled with the same thing you are facing. What we do is wait a full year before our children receive any vaccinations -- we feel that it gives them time for their immune systems to develop.
Then we give them one shot at a time with a 3 month space between each shot. We work with our physician to figure out what shot to give first, second, etc. It makes the physician think because our kids are not on the usual schedule but she's good about it.
I hope this helps.
S.,
This is a subject very dear to my heart as my middle son, age 8 has aspergers ( a form of autism? depending upon what you read). There has been recent information coming from India stating that they do feel it is genetic (no kidding!) and other information. I can tell you California has changed their immunization and from what I understand they are not mandatory. I can also tell you there are some really great books out about immunizing children. Their are pediatritians who have dropped my because I was not willing to immunize my 3rd child. A really great book I had read by a Dr. suggested not giving all the immunizations at once (as they tend to do) and to boost your child's immune system before you go with vitamins and certainly do not give you child immunizations when they are ill. The peds usually will only avoid if they have a fever. The MMR is really the one with the issues related to autism, however, some flu shots still had mercury, so make sure you ask before you get one if you feel you should. I personally have not been giving my children flu shots and I have not had them over the last 3 or 4 years. I believe I had the flu the 1st year I did not get the shot, and my children have had flu free seasons as well. There is a lot of information out there and usually the Drs tell you to go to the CDC website, but their whole job is to convince you to get shots, so I feel they are a bit biased. A website I really like is natural news (WWW.naturalnews.com). Good Luck!
Check out this link from the American Academy of Pediatrics about vaccine safety...
S.,
Both Time Magazine and Parents Magazine had articles about this subject in the past few months. It was the Time cover story so it should be easy to find on their website.
Please keep in mind that many horrible diseases (like polio and small pox) have nearly been eradicated in this country because of the vaccinations. Unfortunately they are still only an airplane ride away and your son could become infected by a stranger who has come from a third world nation. Also, he endangers all others in his community by not being protected (specially babies who have not been vaccinated, and the very old). By not immunizing your child you help to put the danger of infection into your entire community.
