The Controversy of Autism and Vaccines
Recently, there has been a decline in children receiving vaccines due to the autism scare. The controversy linking autism and vaccines continues today even though the claim has been refuted by research while the benefits outweigh the risks. Vaccines not only protect children from life threatening diseases but builds their immunity. Autism on the other hand is not a fatal disorder, it is a neurological disorder that regresses and can range from moderate to sever. There are many misunderstandings about what autism is and possible treatments when accurately diagnosed. Evidence has shown that the research presented that connects autism to vaccines was in fact fraud. A researcher by the name of Andrew Wakefield had altered results from his research to help support his accusations that immunizations are the cause of autism. He also, involved twelve colleagues and his institution for financial gain. He took "the medical histories of all twelve children to make the vaccine look culpable. Time lines, for example were [altered] to make it seem although autism like symptoms developed shortly after vaccinations, while in some problems developed before the vaccinations and in others months after" ("Autism Fraud" 5.)
Autism is a regressive disorder that is a genetic mutation that alters a child's development usually showing signs from the age of eighteen months incidentally, in the middle of the vaccine schedule, produced by The Center of Diseases and Control (CDC.) "Some children with autism appear normal before the age one or two and then suddenly regress and lose language or social skills they had previously gained" (Signs of Autism 1.) Children receive a variety of immunizations from birth to the age of two, and then receive the final dose or boosters by age four. Vaccinations include: three doses of DTAP, IPV or polio, Hepatitis B, HIB (Haemophilus influenza type b ) and Rotavirus, which is oral, two doses of Hepatitis A and one does of MMR, and Varicella by the age two, and boosters include, DTAP, IPV, MMR and Varicella. If children are not protected from these diseases they can be life altering, and most times even fatal. Also, by vaccinating our children protects our community from spreading diseases. Polio for example is a paralytic disease, HIB is bacterial meningitis that causes death in mostly preschool aged children, and rubella or the German measles cause deafness, blindness, heart disease, and mental retardation. These are just a few of the diseases that immunizations protect against, and ensure the health of our community. So why would parents opt not to protect their children? It is obvious that the benefits tremendously outweigh the risks. Autism should not be an excuse for parents not to protect their children. A decision to vaccinate not only our children but ourselves as well is a decision to help protect the entire communities from diseases which are spread by person-to-person contact. By not vaccinating puts the individual and community at risk. When immunization programs achieve high levels of immunity or the "herd" immunity as scientists refer to that means "the indirect protection of a community, including unvaccinated individuals" (Statcher 6.) The probability that an infected person may spread the disease to a susceptible individual is greatly decreased. "Community immunity provides indirect protection to children who may be too young for certain vaccinations or have other health problems that prevent them from being immunized, yet are still susceptible to the disease" (Statcher 6.) According to the CDC research suggest that the benefits definitely over power the risk of receiving any vaccination. Recently, there have been "Pox parties" where parent believe in natural immunity and get together to expose their child intentionally to these diseases. Many parents keep blogs and web pages stating where in the country an outbreak is at and send tissues, candies, and other items that may contain strands of the potential infection in hope that their child contracts the disease and gains natural immunity. According to the Medical News Today: . "Chicken Pox Parties", are aimed to expose their children to viruses so their immunity protects them early in life. Medical professionals, doctors, immunologists and virologists say this is an "extremely dangerous practice for the children and also their families. One of the Facebook pages called "Find A Pox Party In Your Area"was found to be a place where parents can purchase viruses. By making a 'charitable donation' they can buy contaminated saliva, often carried on sweets or other goodies children like, or washcloths and Q-tips. The web page apparently even gives tips on how to ship contaminated sweets across state lines without being found out. They openly warn other participants that sending items through the mail is illegal" (Nordqvist 7.) Parents are not realizing that they are putting their whole community at risk as well as other children, and that the result can be life shattering. As a parent, we teach our children how to be good outstanding citizens in the world, but how can we teach these life lessons if we do not practice them ourselves? A child with autism can be treated with medication, and many types of therapy depending on the the severity of the disorder but a child with a life compromising illness can not be treated as easily and may result in death.
Autism is a regressive neurodevelopment disorder that impacts social interactions, verbal and non verbal, as well as negative behaviors. It is a disorder that is connected to abnormal biology and chemistry within the brain and is genetically a problem. Also, autism appears within the first three years of life. A child can seem developmentally normal and meeting all milestones that are age appropriate and then begins to regress; hence autism is a regressive disorder. The increase of autism in children is due to the new types of the disorder. For example, cancer has various types, breast, prostate, leukemia, bone, lung, etc. Autism has a wide spectrum as well from moderate, where the individual has hyperactivity and unable to focus on one given task while a more sever type would include a non verbal person along with behavior problems and may be violent. "Other pervasive developments disorders include: Asperser Syndrome, Rhett Syndrome, childhood disintegrative disorder, and pervasive developmental disorder" (Signs of Autism 5.) Most autistic patients are sensitive to sensory and have an increased senses, such as touch. In an interview with a pastor whose son is autistic, explains his child's diagnosis. At birth, Pastor adopted a little boy. At eighteen months during the routinely visit at his pediatrics clinic he inquired his physician about some behavioral issues that he was concerned about. Not only was his son throwing violent tantrums but unlike other autistic children he was not hyperactive and would sit for hours analyzing books. At first his parents thought he was studying the pictures in the book and was able to recognize a letter with the picture, but one day while with the babysitter, they realized he was actually reading. The babysitter began to write the word "alligator" and "helicopter" on the side walk and the child would read what she wrote. At eighteen months he was reading not only simple words like cat and dog, but long words. He was so intrigued by words that he would read the phone book. The family's pediatrician recommended some testing and occupational therapy to be able to properly diagnose the child. The result was he had a moderate level of autism. The doctor recommended medication to help with his aggression but also to continue therapy so that they can work with his neurological growth for fear of regression. By two the child was in attending two to three times a week therapy and his parents work with him at home as well. Today he is eight years old and one can not tell he has autism. Due to his parents commitment to his medical well being he is able to enjoy life as an eight year old child. While working in pediatrics, it became an interest in the link of vaccines and autism. Why is it most parents who have an autistic child and pro immunization? For example, a family of eight with six children where five of them are autistic, again moderate type including behavioral issues and hyperactivity, are the first ones in line to receive their flu vaccines and are in favor of the protection. While on the other hand, those who know a friend who said that their friend's child was diagnosed with autism after getting immunization and has never been around and autistic child. Is this controversy just an assumption and lack of vaccine education by parents?
Preservatives such as thimerosal known as mercury are blamed for the cause of autism even though there has not been any scientific evidence. Even though it is only a small trace of preservatives they are the cause for the uproar in the public against immunization. Mercury and formaldehyde are in many of our household items such as lotions, soap, toothpaste, shampoos, baby wipes, sun clock, baby wash, and bubble bath (The Hidden Formaldehyde in Everyday Products 4.) Why are these items not to blame for illnesses as well? Mercury is a an element that conducts electricity and is liquid at room temperature. It expands and contracts with temperature changes and also used in household, medical and industrial products (Household Products Containing Mercury 2.) Surprisingly, children shoes that have lights in the soles are made with mercury, and yet these shoes are popular with parents. Also, canned foods like soups, canned tuna and vegetables all contain small amounts of mercury and aluminum. We can argue that autism is caused by canned foods and household items. This does not make any sense, let's buy mercury filled shoes, and eat canned foods but we can not protect our children from transmitted diseases for fear of autism.
The controversy regarding autism and vaccines is a touchy subject, however it is a serious debate. As parents it is their duty to protect their children and teaching them to be good abiding citizens and to care for those around them. Parents are the role models. On "Find a Pox Party in Your Area" on Facebook most parents are those who did not receive vaccines themselves growing up. It seems as though these parents are uneducated about the immunization and the benefits. Many people receive information from a third party and through hearsay. Despite the scientific research and recommendation of their "trusted" pediatrician parents still remain not to vaccinate their children. According to many legal documentation and the CDC, individuals involved in these so called "social get-togethers" and not vaccinating their children is a form of child abuse. It does not matter what is causes autism, but the public will always find an excuse to practice their beliefs. In conclusion, autism is a genetic disorder that affects the development of the brain and there is not any scientific proof that vaccines cause autism. Immunization have a greater benefit than risks.
Works Cited
Autism and Vaccines. Autism Science Foundation. 2010. N.p. Web. 18 August 2012
Nordqvist, Christian. "Chicken Pox Parties Is Middle Ages Vigilante Vaccination." Editoral. 07 November 2011. Web. 31 August 2012
Satcher, David. "Statement of Risk vs Benefit of Vaccinations." U.S. Public Health Service. 03 August 1999. Web. 31 August
Stehr-Green, Paul "Autism and Thimerosal Contain Vaccines." American Journal of Preventative Medicine. Volume 25. Issue 2. (August 2003): pages 101-106. Web. 18 August 2012
Signs of Autism. National Autism Association. 2009. N.p. Web. 18 August 2012
