Immunization questionaire

[DianaZ]

Hi everyone,

I am currently a graduate student in a childhood ed/special ed program. I am involved in writing an Inquiry project on a controversial issue. I chose to write it on the correlation of immunizations and autism. I am right now working in a school for children that have autism and since there is no known cause at the moment of why children have autism I am curious to see what parents think. If anyone could please write back and answer the following questions it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!! Diana

1. Do you think immunizations cause autism?

2. Do you think there is anything doctors can do? Should they do anything differently in trying to find the reason for autism?

3. Do you think there will be a cure?

4. Do you have your children immunized? Why or why not?

[H.Starr]

1) No. Immunizations absolutely do not cause autism. It is the most asinine thing I have ever heard. And if you actually do proper research, ALL medical research has found there is NO connection between the two.

2/3) I'm sure there are plenty of researchers trying to find the root causes and cure for it. I do not think there will ever be a cure. Same as mental retardation, or Down's syndrome, and other things of that nature. They just can't really be cured. Helped slightly, overmedicated, yes. Cured, I don't think so.

4) I have had my son immunized, and will with all future children as well. All except the flu shot, because its just not necessary. If I can have them vaccinated and prevent sicknesses and diseases that could potentially kill them...why on earth wouldn't I? Even the no longer common diseases, they still happen, its still possible. If I can just simply vaccinate them and eliminate the risk, it makes too much sense to not do it.

[kare.bear]

Ditto to what H. Starr said. She summed up my answer perfectly!

[lismom2]

1. Do you think immunizations cause autism?
I think it is possible, but that there have not been unbiased studies conducted, and that by the studies done so far, most have concluded that no, they don't. FWIW, the definition of autism has changed so much in recent years that many people do not know the current definitions of autism spectral disorders and that this also causes confusion and controversy. The 'autism factor' was not a large factor in our vaccination decision.

2. Do you think there is anything doctors can do? Should they do anything differently in trying to find the reason for autism?

DAN doctors are working around the clock to find out what causes autism and spectral disorders. They are pursuing avenues other than vaccination as well.

3. Do you think there will be a cure?
Sadly, no. I do think that there are environmental triggers and that we may one day find out how to prevent it, but not necessarily cure it.

4. Do you have your children immunized? Why or why not?
No. I will also no longer immunize myself. The biggest reason is that I do not agree with the current recommended schedule (particularly HPV, chicken pox, Hib, Rota, and Hep B) and the way vaccine laws are set up for school attendance in my state, it's all or nothing. Vaccine injury is 100% preventable.

[EmmaClaire]

1. Do you think immunizations cause autism?

Of course they do. The government already admitted it...just search Hannah Poling. There seems to be mitochondrial dysfunction associated with vaccine-induced autism...and it is unclear as to whether or not a mitochondrial disorder was in place in the child before vaccines, or if the vaccines actually caused the disorder along with the autism. One avenue that hasn't been looked into is that Tylenol is a mitochondrial toxin...and what are we often told to give along with vaccines? Hmmmmm.

Vaccines contain ingredients which are known neurotoxins. Of course a neurotoxin can negatively affect the brain.

The fact that so many health authorities will not admit the connection between vaccines and autism has to do with misinformation spread by vaccine lobbyists, possible loss of profits, and liability.


2. Do you think there is anything doctors can do? Should they do anything differently in trying to find the reason for autism?

Sure. They should hand out vaccine inserts and instruct parents to research the ingredients, and they should not mislead parents into thinking that vaccines are safe, effective, and necessary. The safety and efficacy of vaccines depends on many factors including the individual being vaccinated (not everyone will react the same to any drug) and the individual vaccines (some vaccines are safer and more effective than others.) Doctors should stop pretending that this is a clear-cut issue. It's not...it's very, very complicated.

3. Do you think there will be a cure?

A cure for autism? Well, there are biomedical treatments done by trained doctors which have helped many children recover from vaccine injury. Jenny McCarthy is one famous individual whose son was helped by biomedical intervention. The child was once classified as having autism, and now he isn't. If that isn't a cure, I don't know what is.

These biomedical treatments are brushed under the rug by mainstream medical authorities. After all, if vaccine toxins are removed, and autism goes away,people may start to realize the truth about vaccines/autism. The can of worms that can open up is not wanted by mainstream medical due to loss of profit and liability issues.

4. Do you have your children immunized? Why or why not?

No. My six year old has had hep b at birth and the first two sets of infant shots, to which she experienced a neurological reaction. After her reaction, my husband and I started researching, and the more we researched, the less we wanted to continue vaccinating. She still suffers some of the effects of the vaccine reaction, but is mostly recovered. My 4 year old hasn't had a single shot, and is very, very healthy.

[Prica]

1. I honestly don't know. I think it is very possible. If you've never thought about it there has been a major spike in learning disabilities during the past sixty or so years. Most would say because we can diagnose now, however if you look at an eighth grade reader from around 1890, eighth graders were reading at a current college reading level. If that doesn't tell us something I don't know what will.

2. I think there should be heavy medical background checking before certain vaccinations should be given. And I think most vaccines should wait until the child is at least four.

3. I hope so, but to be honest, I have no medical training or much understanding, so I can't give a good answer.

4. No. My son is not vaccinated nor will any of my children be vaccinated till they are at least 6, and probably not even then. Which shouldn't be a problem since I'm gonna homeschool.

[pygmygirl]

1. Do you think immunizations cause autism?

I think there are cases that have a direct link, yes. Not all cases, as autism can also be genetic. Changes in immunization ingredients in the late 1990s should tell us something - that Yes there was concern, Enough concern to make changes. Is it 100% answer.... No.

2. Do you think there is anything doctors can do? Should they do anything differently in trying to find the reason for autism?

More education needs to be readily available IN PEDIATRICIAN's OFFICES about vaccinations and not-vaccinating. It should be a choice, not a mandated issue - and in many states it is still a choice. Parents need access to this information, if they are not researching on their own.

3. Do you think there will be a cure?

most likely not.

4. Do you have your children immunized? Why or why not?

My DS is on a delayed Vax schedule, ONLY because my area has 30% of non-vaxed children. If I lived in an area where the majority were vaccinated, I wouldn't vax at all. We are not vaxing Hep b, which is, in my opinion, just stupid that they'd give to a baby (quote from my pedi) "because it's harder to make 12yrs old get it". I plan for initial vax, delayed, and none of the boosters. I haven't been vaxed since I was 8 - including world travel - and am very healthy.