So many moms I know are scared about this. And I am too. My son's year shots are coming up at the end of this month and I still haven't decided what I will do. He's supposed to get the MMR shot, which many parents are saying triggered autism in their kids (and more so in boys). I have been trying to read everything I can about this topic to educate myself. I plan to talk to my pediatrician as well. However, I'm told that pediatricians will always tell you to get the shot because it's currently still recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics. But it's discouraging when even the well-known parenting experts such as Dr. Sears are throwing up their hands and saying they don't know what parents should do.
Any thoughts?

If I had to do it again I'm not sure I would. It's scary not to know why that happens to some and not others. I am thankful everyday that my kids are normal. They might not always do what I want them to, but after seeing some of the other kids at school I am very blessed.

It's a really hard call. Like you said, the scariest part is that no one knows for sure, and no one agrees on anything.

From all the research and reading I've done, it seems that if there is a link, it's not that the vaccines CAUSE autism. But that they can act as a trigger to children who are already more susceptible to autism, suffer from mercury sensitivities, etc. And even though vaccines are supposedly mercury free, the MMR DOES still contain trace amounts.

Personally, I won't get the MMR before 18 months. I was shocked when I moved to Alabama to hear that they give it at 12 months - most other places that I know of are 15 or 18 months, and I've read that there may or may not be a benefit to waiting those extra 6 months. For peace of mind though, I'll do it. The downside is that you have an extra six months to be at risk of your baby contracting Measles, Mumps or Ruebella, but I'll take that risk.

Also, ask your ped (if you are concerned) about splitting the shots into its three individual components. I plan to talk to my ped about this at our 12 month check up. Some will do it and some won't. My pediatrician seems pretty progressive, so I'm hoping she'll be open to it. THere has been some research that shows it is safer to give it that way.

I'm not an expert on this subject, but I've read up on it a lot and it's a discussion that comes up quite frequently on my other message board.

Good luck - it's such a tough decision!

Thanks for your insight. I'm leaning towards waiting an extra 6 months as well until his little system is more mature. I've read that the chances are very slim for getting MMR these days. So, like you said, I'll take that risk. Hmmm, I'll have to look into splitting them up. I hadn't thought about that.

It is a tough decision. I know some parents are not vaccinating at all. I don't think that's the right decision for me. I feel vaccinations are good but I want to be educated and not just blindly trust my doc.

The flu shot is another one some parents I know are concerned about. I think we've decided we'll get that one. The flu is so common and I'd hate for my son to get it if I could have prevented that.

This is very scary, and honestly I don't think enough parents are educated enough about vaccines. There is SOO much that they put into those shots and then they give them 4 or 5 at a time COME ON!!! I wish I had known more about them, I wish that someone would have said "READ ABOUT THEM JESSICA" and not just what they give you on those little sheets thats not enough! Some of them still have mercury in them, and so do some flu shots that are meant for our children. I plan on making sure I know the brand and that I see the vile before injecting this child and also spreading them out. I do believe that all kids should be vaccinated otherwise we could end up having deadly consequences (that is if everyone quits vaccinating).

I didn't know about this possible like to Autism from that vaccine! How do you get your doc to wait the extra six months? Just ask? And my son is in daycare. Anyone know if it is ok for him to wait the extra 6 months? Can ya'll post a link with more info? This is all very scary stuff I didn't know anything about.

Thanks
April-mommy to Ronald-10 months

There has been much debate on this topic, and it's not just autism that has been implicated - some claim a relationship between childhood vaccines and Type 1 Diabetes and other autoimmune diseases.
Anti-vaccine (even Robert Kennedy Jr. weighs in):
http://www.nvic.org/Default.htm
These are just a sampling of what's out there - there is a lot of information, on both sides, if you're interested in learning more about the debate.
http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/story/7395411/deadly_immunity/
Pro-vaccine:
http://www.cdc.gov/od/science/iso/concerns.htm
Somewhat neutral:
http://www.askdrsears.com/thevaccinebook/labels/Vaccines%20and%20Autism.asp

April - just talk to your pediatrician. Most should not have a problem with delaying the vaccine.

I wouldn't worry about daycare personally. My daughters are both in it too. The chances of getting measles, mumps OR ruebella are VERY slim. And honestly, those three are generally very easily treated if they ARE contracted. I'm not saying the vaccine is bad, just that I see no harm in delaying it six months.

The problem comes in if you want to separate that shot into its three components. I would love to do this, but have not asked my pediatrician. I have heard that some doctors will do it ... but only if YOU find a pharmacy willing to sell you the vials. Which can become tough.

We don't do flu shots in my house. I've never had the flu and neither has my husband or children. It's another really personal decision and I think as mommies we feel guilt over stuff like this no matter what we do.

But, anectdotedly, I know so many people that get sicker the years they get the shot than when they don't. Plus, even the mercury free shots contain "acceptable trace amounts" that are NOT acceptable to me. The flu isn't USUALLY that serious. I know in rare instances it is, but anything can turn serious in rare instances. I'd rather battle the flu than effects from the shot.

Thanks for the links LawMommy. I will read them all tonight.

I don't get flu shots either Moozle. I got my first and only one when I was a teenager, and I got sooo sick with the flu, that I have never done it again. And guess what, in 10 years, I have only had the flu once. Same goes for DH, he doesn't get flu shots either. So we have decided not to get one for our LO.

I am not really worried about Ronald cathcing anything, just need to find out if the MMR is REQUIRED at 12 months for daycare, or if they just have to have it done before they are 18 months or 2. I just need to find out what age the shot is required in Alabama.

Thanks for the info.

April-mommy to Ronald-10 months

April, I am not 100% sure about the daycare question, but I don't think it will be a problem. Mine are in daycare and I'm delaying it til 18 months for my youngest. At our daycare (we are at the University Children's Program), they require a sheet once a year that states their shots are up to date.

The "recommended range" for the MMR is 12-18 months, so delaying it still keeps them up to date. At least that will be my argument if anyone questions me.

Also, I just called our ped's office and asked a nurse about delaying. Her response was "that should not be a problem, just let the dr know during and discuss it with her during your appt."

My son is at Flatwoods Baptist Church, and they require a new blue card (like school age children)after every checkup. If it is ok for them to wait until 18 months though, then I don't see it being a problem. I will wait as long as I can.

April-mommy to Ronald-10 months old

My son is at Calvary and they require the sheets, they check on them once or twice a year I think to make sure they are updated. My mother works at the University daycare but I don't really know about them.

Yeah, the UA daycare requires the blue card too. And they check it really frequently. Hmm. I guess I'm going to have to ask the director about that.

I would hate to have make such a hard decision based solely on rules, you know? But I also would never risk my daughter losing her spot in that program. This might be tougher than I thought.

APatrick - I've probably met your mom then. It's a really close-knit group of people.

You can read on p. 57 of this document what the Department of Human Resources requirements are for immunization records for daycare-aged children.
http://www.dhr.state.al.us/large_docs/CENTERS-revised12-05.pdf

The Ala. Code dictates the requirements for K-12 children, but DHR makes the rules for the younger ones.
Of course, each center might have more stringent date requirements than the state requires, but that seems doubtful.
And of course, if you're refusing to vaccinate altogether, that is a different matter, and that is addressed in the Code (Alabama allows only religious and medical exemptions).

I just found this site too, which might be helpful: https://www.nvic.org/state-site/Alabama.htm

Near the bottom it says:

(c) immunization against mumps and rubella. This dose shall be administered at 12 months of age or later.

(d) two (2) doses of measles-containing vaccine. The first dose shall be administered at 12 months of age or later and the second dose shall be administered at least 30 days later.

Well, that's clear as mud. It would seem the only rule is you can't get the shot earlier - not that you can't delay it.