To vaccinate or not to vaccinate

[Shriekable]

I was wondering if anyone out there who has a child with autism went ahead and had their child vaccinated with the mmr booster? I am in such a state worrying about what to do. My 3 and a half year old has autism and is due the booster, my almost 1 year old is due his first mmr shot just after Christmas. My GP, paediatrician, nurse, health visitor, are all backing having them both vaccinated (none of them are pushing me into it, in fact, they have all been supportive). However, I have a friend whose son is the same age as my eldest, and he too has autism. She is convinced he is vaccine damaged, and has been told so by an apparent specialist in this area. He also told her that my son 'sounds vaccine damaged' (he's never met him) and that I should not get either child vaccinated. I have been crying every day, thinking that I could be wrecking my children if I vaccinate, or putting their health at risk if I don't. In retrospect my eldest showed signs of autism before he had his mmr, my younger son is a totally different child - more alert, smilier, more interested in things, but then some days I think I'm kidding myself. I can talk myself in and out of both arguments.

[EllenJaneisnotmyname]

Been there, shriekable. My DS2 has never had his booster, he's 12 now, and DS3 (9) hasn't been vaccinated at all. I have no strong views on the subject but just couldn't bring myself to actively give them something, easier to bury my head in the sand. Doctors were supportive and have never tried to persuade me. I occasionally think I should get them vaccinated now they are older and more robust, before they hit puberty, especially for mumps.

[EllenJaneisnotmyname]

To qualify that, DS3 has had neither MMR vaccine, he has had all the others, as has DS2.

[Shriekable]

It's so difficult to decide, I have talked myself in and out of both scenarios. I know of people who have caught illnesses that the vaccines would protect against, and in several cases they became pysically impaired or disabled because of contracting the disease. But then I didn't have mmr, I caught german measles - which I think is the rubella one - and was fine, my cousin (female) caught mumps as a child and she was ok. I think measles is the more dangerous one.

[cwtch4967]

DS had his booster. I don't think the MMR affected him at all.

[ihatecbeebies]

We waited until DS was 4 until he was given the mmr (his uncle has autism and his dad was concerned with the link so health visitor suggested waiting until he was older) but DS started showing obvious signs of autism from about 18 months so I know for certain that it was nothing to do with the MMR

[chocjunkie]

we are in a very similar situation. DD1 (3.9, no official dx for asd yet, ados next month). we decided against the booster (she had the first shot). also have DD2 who will be soon due the 1st mmr shot and we won't vaccinate her either.

with hindsight, I do not think that the mmr caused her problems but I just have this little bit doubt within me that the mmr could have triggered it or made it worse and therefore just can't bring myself to do it.

I am looking into single shots atm (though mumps is not available as single vaccine). maybe thats another option for you?

[hanaka88]

I've heard that the jab can't cause autism but it is possible that it may trigger something, which is what I THINK happened to my DS. Though I might just want something to blame

[Booboostoo]

There is absolutely no evidence that the MMR vaccine causes autism. If you look at the paper by Wakefield that started the current scare it is full problems (which led to him being thrown out of the BMA).

If you do not vaccinate your child you run an increased risk of him/her contracting potentially lethal or seriously debilitating diseases. The more people chose not to vaccinate, the more herd immunity is compromised so you are also putting other children in danger (those too young to be vaccinated yet, those who are immunosuppressed and can't be vaccinated, etc.). You are risking bringing back horrific diseases which parents were relieved to see eradicated with the introduction of vaccination.

[Ineedalife]

I was also very worried about the amount of parents who were concerned about MMR. Dd3 was already showing traits of autism and had had severe reactions to all the other vaccines she had been given.

I was lucky enough to be able to pay for her to have measles and rubella vaccines seperatly[sp]. She had the 2 measles ones a year apart and then the rubella a few months after. Spreading them out over 2 years meant I could save in between.

Dd2 has never had her booster either.

You have to go with your gut instinct on this one Shriekable. No one should try to tell you what to do or not to do.

Good luck.

[dietcokegirl]

We have been in a similar situation. I couldn't bring myself to take DS1 (4, ASC) for the booster as was so worried he may regress again. We decided he should have it so DH took him after his 4th birthday. Even though it was a joint decision I couldn't actually take him for it - thankfully DH didn't mind taking the responsibility for it!

As for DS2 (2, NT) we waited until he was 18 months old. I felt physically sick when I took him but didn't want to take the risk of him not having it. I may have left it longer but we were going on hols (popular children's holiday park!) so I wanted him to have it by then.

It is a really difficult one. I waited with DS2 as felt I would see signs of autism before he was 18 months and then if he regressed I would know it was the MMR. It may sound slightly mad as no proof but that was my rationale.

DS1 did have a really bad virus when he was 1 yrs old, shortly followed by the MMR, more viruses and regression so I guess it is always at the back of my mind that the vaccine may have triggered something. Most of the time I am convinced it was the birth....who knows

[hanaka88]

Booboo there is plenty of evidence but no proof

[hanaka88]

The problem is that to have proof the MMR causes autism in a child you would have to test the same child with the MMR and without. Which isn't possible really. You just never know.

[hanaka88]

Second Leonie. My auntie told me about a child who had jabs (not the mmr) and ended up with brain damage (obviously other issues there). Jabs are good for many but not safe for all. As with anything there are always always risks. It's your job as a parent to weigh up the pros and cons and make your own decision. No one can tell you you're wrong if you've thought things through.

[IndigoBell]

OP - my child was vaccine damaged.

I'm not anti vaccines in general - but I wouldn't recommend getting your children vaccinated if one of them has ASD.

Or at least wait until your child is over 3.

[dolfrog]

you might like have a look at [[http://briandeer.com/mmr/lancet-summary.htm Exposed: Andrew Wakefield
and the MMR-autism fraud]]

[Pagwatch]

I have a child who regressed post mmr although I think it was the straw that broke the camels back rather than anything else.

Dolfrog
I prefer special needs to be a haven from vac/anti vac shit storms. If you don't mind.

If anyone wants to beat the shit out of each other about mar/Wakefield could they do it on the main board. I would be grateful. It is not beyond most peoples wit to state their view without c&p ing etc isit?

[dolfrog]

Pagwatch

I prefer scientific research, and not FRAUD.
If you want to find an excuses to avoid the genetic links to these issues and prefer seeking denial then that is your preference.

[Pagwatch]

I asked you as a matter of curtesy.
I would hope that posting in the sn section would encourage us all to refrain from posting in an aggressive, rude of combative manner.

Are you replying that you are unable to do that?

That is what your post, both in tone and content, suggests. That you cannot help yourself but must, for some reason, be rude and unpleasant about a subject directly pertaining to my son. Really?

Can I ask you to reconsider.

[dolfrog]

Pagwatch

Wakefields fraud is a fraud whether you like the idea or not.
From what you have said so far I gather that your DS has autism.
You may be be having problems with is understanding the causes of your DS autism, especially if you feel more comfortable with the stories from Wakefield.

[silverfrog]

dolfrog, I know you sometimes have trouble (from things you have said before now) 'getting' the tone and gist of posts on here.

please - stop. just stop.

as pagwatch said, there is no need to turn any thread on SN into the vicious, nasty, witch hunts that go on in the vaccination section.

and lastly, don't patronise. ever.

[Pagwatch]

You are now adding presumptuous, appallingly ignorant, childish and downright offensive to your already large list of crass behaviour.

You know nothing of me, nor my son nor his medical history.

I am not sure why you feel it is appropriate for you to comment on what you think I believe. It isn't.

Can I ask you again to behave a little better. You are coming across as a boorish bully.

[Shriekable]

I don't think mmr gave DS autism, but a part of me wonders if perhaps he is - for want of a better word - intolerant to something in the vaccines. I mean, penicillin is taken safely by billions of people, but some are allergic. Same with peanuts! He can't yet talk and doesn't understand language, but is happy, lively, affectionate (when he chooses!) and we can see slow improvements. Would be devastated if the booster brought on a regression.