Vaccination is a controversial subject, and many parents want to know what vaccines are made of, if they work, and whether they are safe for our children. While no single study has been able to show a direct connection between autism and vaccines, there is enough scientific evidence to make a case that a relationship does exist.
The growth in the number of vaccines given to our children in the last 20 years has increased by 260%. Vaccines have never been tested for their “combination risk”, despite the fact that children may get as many as 7 vaccines in a single visit to the pediatrician.
Recently, a law was passed that requires doctors to explain the risks and benefits of vaccines before getting permission from parents to use them. Unfortunately, doctors are restricted by a busy schedule and don’t always take the time to answer all parents’ questions.
Vaccination Schedule
The Recommended Childhood Immunization Schedule put out by the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) are listed in the following timetable. Although vaccine schedules can differ slightly, you can generally expect the following vaccines at the ages indicated:
Vaccine Timetable
Birth
Hepatitis B #1
2 months
DTaP #1
Polio #1
Hib #1
Hepatitis B #2
Pneumococcus #1
Rotavirus #1
4 months
DTaP #2
Polio #2
Hib #2
Pneumococcus #2
Rotavirus #2
6 months**
DTaP #3
Hib #3 (depending on the type of Hib vaccine used, this dose may be omitted)
Pneumococcus #3
Rotavirus #3
12 months
MMR#1
Varicella#1
Hepatitis A #1
15-18 months
Hib #4
Polio #3
Hepatitis B #3
Pneumococcus #4
DTaP #4
Hepatitis A #2
4-6 years
MMR #2
Polio #4
DTaP #5
Varicella#2
11-12 years
Tdap (subsequent doses of Td should follow every 10 years throughout life)
Meningococcus
Human papillomavirus (girls) - 3 doses
**Influenza vaccine is recommended each year between September and March beginning at 6 months of age. If the child is under 9 years old the first time the vaccine is given, two doses separated by one month are required. Subsequent years require a single dose.
Fifty years ago, when the immunization schedule contained only four vaccines (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, and smallpox), autism was virtually unknown. In 1983, when the immunization schedule consisted of 10 vaccines, only 1 or 2 in 10,000 children were diagnosed with autism. Today, 1 in 150 children have autism. One in every six American children are now classified as “Learning Disabled.”
Is Mercury a major contributor to autism?
Thimerosal is a mercury-based preservative developed in the 1930s that has been used in as many as 50 vaccines. In the 1982 Federal Register, an expert panel at the FDA reviewed thimerosal and found that it was toxic and caused cell death. The FDA called for its removal in “over the counter” products. Additionally, In 1999, the FDA stated that mercury exposure from vaccines exceeded Federal Safety Guidelines. Government officials admitted they were "asleep at the switch" when they failed to add up the cumulative exposure levels as new vaccines were added to the early infant vaccination schedule in the early1990's.
The dramatic rise in autism rates correlates with the increase in mercury exposure. Thimerosal was first marketed in the mid 1930's. Autism was first described as a new, never before seen disorder in 1943, in children born in the 1930's. Neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism have similar symptoms to those of mercury poisoning.
Thousands of families have reported that their normally-developing children changed after receiving mercury-containing vaccines and began displaying symptoms that lead to a diagnosis of autism. The symptoms of autism not only mimic those of mercury poisoning, but children with autism have been found to have more mercury in their bodies than typically-developing children.
In March, 2001, the FDA issued a statement warning pregnant women and young children not to eat fish containing high levels of mercury for fear of causing neurological problems in children. Yet, the CDC's National Immunization Program has continued to allow these same sensitive populations to be exposed to mercury from routinely administered flu shots which contain more mercury than seafood.
Infants injected with multiple mercury containing vaccines in the 1990s received up to 187 mcg during the first six months of life. A typical dose received by a two-month old who received three mercury vaccines was 125 times EPA's daily allowable exposure levels.
In 2001, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) stated it is "biologically plausible" that Thimerosal in vaccines caused autism, ADD/ ADHD and neurodevelopmental disorders in general.
Mercury has been labeled as one of the most neurotoxic substances on earth and should be fully investigated to determine its impact on the population's health and to identify treatments for affected individuals, as well as establishing much needed safety standards. Mercury in medicinal uses, created via industry emissions, in the waterways and food chain of our planet must be reduced.
Alternative Vaccine Schedule
Consider avoiding all vaccines within the first 2 years of life because this is the most rapid period of brain development. An exception is the Hep B vaccine for infants whose mothers test positive for this disease.
Do not vaccinate if your child is sick or taking antibiotics.
Consider avoiding vaccines that contain Thimerosal, which is 50% Mercury. Flu vaccines contain Thimerosal, so it is best to avoid them.
Consider avoiding vaccines that contain live viruses. This includes the combined measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine; chickenpox (varicella) vaccine; and the live-virus polio (Sabin) vaccine.
A user friendly vaccination schedule requires that vaccinations, after the age of two, be given no more than once every six months, one at a time, in order to allow the immune system sufficient time to recover and stabilize between shots.
If your child has an adverse reaction to a vaccine, stop vaccinating until you find out more information.
