Vaccinations and Autism
Vaccinations are among the most important health advances in history. When germs such as viruses or bacteria invade your body, your immune system makes special cells. These cells produce antibodies, which help destroy these germs. If all goes well, you get better. The next time your body is exposed to the same infection, your immune system often recognizes it and sets out to destroy it. Immunizations work in much the same way. They expose you to a very small, very safe amount of a virus or bacteria that has been weakened or killed. Your immune system then learns to recognize and attack the infection if you are exposed to it later in life. As a result, you will either not become ill or have a milder infection. This is a natural way to deal with infectious diseases.
After immunizations were introduced on a wide scale, infections such as tetanus, diphtheria, mumps, measles, pertussis (whooping cough), and polio became rare. Newer immunizations have also decreased certain types of meningitis, pneumonia, and ear infections in children.
Four different types of vaccines are currently available.
- Attenuated (weakened) live virus is used in the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine and the varicella (chickenpox) vaccine.
- Killed (inactivated) vaccines are made from a protein or other small pieces taken from a virus or bacteria. These vaccines are safe, even in people with weakened immune systems. Influenza shots are an example of this type of vaccine.
- Toxoid vaccines contain a toxin or chemical made by the bacteria or virus. They make you immune to the harmful effects of the infection, rather than to the infection itself. Examples are the diphtheria and tetanus vaccines.
- Biosynthetic vaccines contain human-made substances that the immune system thinks are infectious organisms.
With the rate of autism soaring many parents fear a link between autism and vaccinations. Although numerous studies have shown no link between autism and either vaccines or the preservative, many parents remained unconvinced.
The link between thimerosal and autism and other learning disabilities has continued to be argued for decades. Thimerosal is 49.6% ethylmercury and was widely used since the 1940s in over the counter drugs. After being banned in 1998 from over the counter drugs, thimerosal is still found in some vaccines. Mercury is the second most toxic substance known to man behind uranium.
While many doctors continue to claim thimerosal has been removed from vaccines given to children, a closer look would show otherwise. If following today’s government recommendations, a child has received more than 30 vaccinations, a dramatic increase from just over a decade ago. Vaccine makers were never ordered to remove thimerosal, rather encouraged.
Although many vaccines have chosen to remove thimerosal or greatly reduce the levels of it, it is still found in many. Before 1980, autism was diagnosed in just 1 in 10,000 children. By 2002, the National Institutes of Health reported autism affected 1 in 250 children and estimates show the number of children afflicted with autism disorders is continuing to increase by about 10% every year.
The risks and benefits of childhood vaccinations needs to be looked at carefully by every parent. Do your homework and make the decision that is right for you and your family.
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