Here's a hot topic: shots! As in immunization vaccines for your baby. The question is to shoot or not to shoot, or use an alternative shot schedule? My baby is due in June 7th, so this is a topic I am very interested in.
Why not use the recommended shot schedule the way it is?
You read all kind of scary stuff about shots, mainly the link between the MMR shot and autism. People in the medical profession swear up and down that there's no scientific proof that the MMR shot leads to autism in any way. However, there are SO many accounts from parents who take their baby to get the MMR shot, then they "are different" immediately, and develop autism very soon after. I know there's no scientific proof to back up these claims, but I really don't think these people are making it up. A mother knows her baby best, and she would know exactly when a change like that would occur.
In addition to autism, there are claims that all these shots are responsible for the increase we're seeing in autoimmune diseases in children. (Like athsma, MS, etc.) Also, there are claims that the increase in behavior problems and ADHD are linked with the mercury levels in shots. Luckily, this isn't a problem anymore because all shots for babies are now thimerasol-free. (Thimerasol is the preserving agent that contains ethyl mercury.) The problem I'm worried about is: what do they use for preservatives in shots now, and are those as or more harmful than the thimerasol? I've heard they use aluminum and other bad things now.
Also, the pharmaceutical companies would be out a LOT of money if there were proof that their shots were harmful. I believe that if it's in someone's financial interest to not find something, then it won't be found! Who do you think funds the research on these shots anyway? Of course they're not going to find anything.
....but you still need to get your baby the shots!
Now, I'm not saying I'm going to be like those crazy people who just don't give their baby any shots at all. I feel like that's just irresponsible. First of all, the diseases that these shots immunize against are horrible diseases that can kill. Some are making a comeback, like whooping cough. Whooping cough used to barely even exist, and now there are more and more cases showing up because so many people are choosing not to immunize. This is a dangerous disease where the babies can't breathe and can die. Second of all, by not giving your child any shots at all, you are relying on "herd immunization". This means that your baby benefits from all the other ones getting shots. This strikes me as very unfair.
Alternative shot schedule
What I think I'm going to do is an alternative shot schedule. This seems to be a good "middle of the road" option. My baby will still get all of her shots by the time she's 5 years old, but we'll start a little later (4 months instead of 2), and we'll spread out the shots (so she won't receive 17 immunizations in one day). Currently, I'm reading Dr. Stephanie Cave's book on the subject. It must be said however, that I spoke with 3 pediatricians and they all disagree with her. They will, however, do Dr. Cave's shot schedule if I sign a waiver.
MMR Separation and evil pharmaceutical companies:
Since the MMR shot is the big bad one, many people want to separate it into 3 shots. However, the pharmaceutical companies have taken away this choice. (!) They no longer make it in separate doses. The triple combined MMR is the only one they make in the US any more. They do make it in Europe, but the FDA has not approved it from Europe and your doctor cannot immunize your baby with shots from there. This makes me so mad! I don't like big companies making that choice for me.
I have heard some promising news that Merck will be making the separate shots again in 2012. I hope I can put off the MMR for my baby until then.
What do you think?
This is a really controversial issue and I would really be curious to know your insights in this topic. Also, if you have any websites or books to recommend on the issue, I would be really interested to hear about them.
Why not use the recommended shot schedule the way it is?
You read all kind of scary stuff about shots, mainly the link between the MMR shot and autism. People in the medical profession swear up and down that there's no scientific proof that the MMR shot leads to autism in any way. However, there are SO many accounts from parents who take their baby to get the MMR shot, then they "are different" immediately, and develop autism very soon after. I know there's no scientific proof to back up these claims, but I really don't think these people are making it up. A mother knows her baby best, and she would know exactly when a change like that would occur.
In addition to autism, there are claims that all these shots are responsible for the increase we're seeing in autoimmune diseases in children. (Like athsma, MS, etc.) Also, there are claims that the increase in behavior problems and ADHD are linked with the mercury levels in shots. Luckily, this isn't a problem anymore because all shots for babies are now thimerasol-free. (Thimerasol is the preserving agent that contains ethyl mercury.) The problem I'm worried about is: what do they use for preservatives in shots now, and are those as or more harmful than the thimerasol? I've heard they use aluminum and other bad things now.
Also, the pharmaceutical companies would be out a LOT of money if there were proof that their shots were harmful. I believe that if it's in someone's financial interest to not find something, then it won't be found! Who do you think funds the research on these shots anyway? Of course they're not going to find anything.
....but you still need to get your baby the shots!
Now, I'm not saying I'm going to be like those crazy people who just don't give their baby any shots at all. I feel like that's just irresponsible. First of all, the diseases that these shots immunize against are horrible diseases that can kill. Some are making a comeback, like whooping cough. Whooping cough used to barely even exist, and now there are more and more cases showing up because so many people are choosing not to immunize. This is a dangerous disease where the babies can't breathe and can die. Second of all, by not giving your child any shots at all, you are relying on "herd immunization". This means that your baby benefits from all the other ones getting shots. This strikes me as very unfair.
Alternative shot schedule
What I think I'm going to do is an alternative shot schedule. This seems to be a good "middle of the road" option. My baby will still get all of her shots by the time she's 5 years old, but we'll start a little later (4 months instead of 2), and we'll spread out the shots (so she won't receive 17 immunizations in one day). Currently, I'm reading Dr. Stephanie Cave's book on the subject. It must be said however, that I spoke with 3 pediatricians and they all disagree with her. They will, however, do Dr. Cave's shot schedule if I sign a waiver.
MMR Separation and evil pharmaceutical companies:
Since the MMR shot is the big bad one, many people want to separate it into 3 shots. However, the pharmaceutical companies have taken away this choice. (!) They no longer make it in separate doses. The triple combined MMR is the only one they make in the US any more. They do make it in Europe, but the FDA has not approved it from Europe and your doctor cannot immunize your baby with shots from there. This makes me so mad! I don't like big companies making that choice for me.
I have heard some promising news that Merck will be making the separate shots again in 2012. I hope I can put off the MMR for my baby until then.
What do you think?
This is a really controversial issue and I would really be curious to know your insights in this topic. Also, if you have any websites or books to recommend on the issue, I would be really interested to hear about them.
