The Vaccine and Autism Debate

I thought I would throw in a little controversial debate on vaccines and autism tonight. Being a biologist and well maybe just myself... I am quite opinionated on the topic. First and foremost, do vaccines cause autism? In my opinion... no. I do believe that vaccines are not for everyone, however. As with any medication, an allergic response 'can' occur. This is VERY rare and nothing to be alarmed about. If a child experiences a severe allergic reaction, they should obviously not continue with vaccines in the future. Any siblings of that child should also be cautious when given vaccines, but for the general public I just don't understand why there is such a discussion and fear of vaccines!!

I personally am grateful to the pharmaceutical companies for producing a product that is able to abolish such horrible diseases as Polio, Diphtheria, Measles, Mumps, Rubella, bacterial meningitis... even Chicken Pox is a thing of the past!! It is not a scam people... the pharmaceutical companies ARE out to get your money... because that is their business! It is not cheap to hire scientists and do extensive research on a drug for years before it becomes even available to the public.

What is in a vaccine? Most people are probably not able to answer this question... so lets figure it out! A vaccine contains either a live but weakened form of the pathogen (this can be bacteria or viruses), inactivated forms of the pathogen, or material from the pathogen such as proteins.

What else...
Vaccines are preserved or stabilized in various mediums. The medium used is what typically causes a reaction to the vaccine. Usually this is seen as mild redness or swelling to the area. You should be cautious and alert your Dr. if your baby or family has any know or suspected allergies to the following ingredients: Chicken or eggs, mercury (in low doses there is generally no effect), certain antibiotics (penicillin NOT included), or gelatin. Believe it or not, these are the main ingredients to 'scary' vaccines...

The polio vaccine includes antibiotics streptomycin, neomycin, and polymyxin B.
MMR and Varicella vaccine have trace amounts of neomycin.
The influenza vaccine or "flu shot" contains egg protein as well as Thimerosal in some (to be discussed in detail later.
Some live vaccines contain gelatin... as a stabilizing agent.
Gelatin is an ingredient in MMR, Varicella, and yellow fever vaccines.
The gelatin used in vaccines is pig gelatin. Most gelatin in foods is cow gelatin.

What is Thimerosal?
You may have heard of Thimerosal, but you may not know that the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) as well as the United States Public Health Service (PHS) has called for an elimination of mercury from all vaccines.
Thimerosal is a mercury containing preservative that has been used in vaccines since the 1930s.
There is no convincing evidence that Thimerosal is linked to autism, however in July 1999 the AAP and PHS along with vaccine manufacturers agreed that Thimerosal in vaccines should be either eliminated or reduced in vaccines for precaution.

In 2001, with the exception of some influenza (flu) vaccines, Thimerosal has been eliminated from routine childhood vaccines. All vaccines are available in a Thimerosal-free form. If you are concerned, you should not hesitate to contact your child's pediatrician to inquire about which form they are using.

You may want to inquire about a "delayed vaccine schedule". If you are feeling overwhelmed by you baby getting four vaccines at one time... Hep B one day after birth... then talk with your Dr. about a delayed vaccine schedule.

So if not the vaccines, why is there a recent rise in autism?
The diagnostic criteria for autism has changed over the years. Autism is a 'spectrum' disorder, meaning that there are varying degrees of autism.
There has been a rise in the number of cases that are diagnosed at an earlier age. With an earlier diagnosis, there is a greater benefit to the child with autism in overcoming or improving with the disorder.

There is speculation that certain food allergies may cause autism... which may very well be linked to vaccines, if your child has an allergy to any of the previously discussed allergens contained in the vaccines.

So are vaccines for everyone? No. For those with serious food allergies to the above mentioned ingredients... please speak with your pediatrician about your concerns. For the rest of us... be thankful that we have abolished so many deadly and crippling diseases with them!


Sources:
www.cdc.gov
www.drgreene.com
www.webmd.com