Without stating the source (aka natural news) is invalid or otherwise picking on the source, how would you take a pro vaccination stance against this type of article? How would you educate those around you who read these types of articles that DTaP (I just got mine a few months ago) is a helpful vaccination?
How would you deal with the articles references to the FDA stating that people who have been vaccinated (including recent vaccinations) can become a carrier and spread the disease?
Also from a pro vaccination standpoint, if acellular type vaccinations are not as effective, which ones (still provided today) are more effective? If we had an acellular vaccination in the recent past 12 months, would you recommend getting a more effective type?
Feel free to read all the legitimate articles, by real scientists, in legitimate scientific journals, that Mr. Miller lists as references at the end of his opinion piece. Google is our friend as much as it is Mr. Miller's. I was able to find the full text of all the articles he cites within a few minutes.
The thing that is touchy with parents of children with autism is there is no answer to what the issue is with autism. I think when your child had a devastating illness, the parent wants an answer. Why is this happening to their child? Why their child and not their neighbor's? It helps them reconcile the whole thing in their brains. Add to the fact that we live in a society where celebrities are worshipped and you have a few that have come out to be anti vax, that compounds the problem. People think well Jenny McCarthy and Kristen Bell can afford the best doctors so if it ok for them, it's ok for me. When in all reality these careless statements from these people do not have the backing of their childrens' pediatricians.
Until a cause a treatment come along for autism, this is going to be a hard one. I know your intentions are good, pmabraham, you are just up against a tough group.
The thing that is touchy with parents of children with autism is there is no answer to what the issue is with autism. I think when your child had a devastating illness, the parent wants an answer.
There is one answer, and that is that the original study that raised the possibility of a connection between autism and vaccines was seriously flawed, the British journal that originally published it has since withdrawn it and denounced the author and study, and multiple studies since then have found no connection. I have some understanding of desperate parents (my field is child psych), but beople who still are inclined to take this seriously are people who would rather believe celebrities and quacks than actual science, and what can you say to people like that?
. People think well Jenny McCarthy and Kristen Bell can afford the best doctors so if it ok for them, it's ok for me. When in all reality these careless statements from these people do not have the backing of their childrens' pediatricians.
I remember well when Jenny McCarthy announced several years ago that her son was "recovering" from autism due to her routine of vitamins, chelation therapy (removing of metals from the blood--seriously controversal), GFCF diet, etc. Yep, SHE knew how to make him "well".
Guess what? Her kid is still autistic. Every treatment money can buy. Still autistic.
She was convinced the MMR vax did it to him; she cited Wakefield ad nausem, and website propaganda. She wasn't going to let something silly like FACTS get in the way of her claims.
But then, as she's a former nude model, OF COURSE she's a leading expert in neurological disorders.....
There is one answer, and that is that the original study that raised the possibility of a connection between autism and vaccines was seriously flawed, the British journal that originally published it has since withdrawn it and denounced the author and study, and multiple studies since then have found no connection. I have some understanding of desperate parents (my field is child psych), but beople who still are inclined to take this seriously are people who would rather believe celebrities and quacks than actual science, and what can you say to people like that?
And that what I am saying, they are just so desperate for any answer, they will listen to defunct science until a true answer is found. It is sad in my opinion that this is what happens, but it does. These people will say well if not the vaccine, then what is the answer? And you don't have one. I have seen some promising research with GMOs and autism. I did a couple of research papers last year on GMOs and this seems to be one area to investigate. I just can't imagine how hard it is for these parents. You probably question what you could have done to prevent it and sadly there was nothing they could do. It just has to be hard for your child to be sick and not have any answers.
The fact is that until the research can show what causes autism (whether it be genetic or some other mechanism) people, especially parents, will grasp at anything they can as a reason. As humans it is hard for us to understand the inexplicable.
My problem with the anti vaccine argument is that it's almost always at the second round of MMR that the autism "hits". So what is different about the second one that the first didn't do - nothing. It's a timing thing. It just so happens that autistic symptoms emerge at that period of a child's life
I have a bunch of people on Facebook who are constantly posting anti vax news and how they are so terrible. There is no changing people who firmly believe these conspiracy theories. I used to say things but I just let it go anymore because no matter what I would say, I was wrong. After taking microbiology, I am more adamant than ever that vaccines are important, but I cannot change people's deeply held beliefs. Now if someone was trying to make the decision and was on the fence, I would give them all the info I could and back it up with evidence. Those are the people we need to target. Those who are deeply committed to their beliefs, we will not change.
I have a family member who is anti. Her biggest issue isn't the medical personal, it's the drug makers make mistakes and she no longer trusts them with her children. She agrees with vaccination, just not with what. Her first child had a bad reaction to it. And she didn't like the response from the medical community about it. After that, she no longer trusts and she questions. I get it.
On the flip side, I realize there are going to be those who have a bad reaction, etc. But those are rare and the numbers are worth it as a whole. But if my child was one of the negative numbers... then I would no longer be thinking with my logical mind about the greater good, etc, etc.
Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.
I have a friend who is anti vaccine because she doesn't like the government telling her what to do. Her oldest received most, middle received some, youngest none. She has said in an outbreak she would likely do selective vaccination.
I have a friend who is anti vaccine because she doesn't like the government telling her what to do. Her oldest received most, middle received some, youngest none. She has said in an outbreak she would likely do selective vaccination.
We just don't discuss vaccines
I have friends like this too. I don't let my child play with their kids. I think it's stupid for them not to vaccinate but to each their own. I think they shouldn't be allowed to play in public or have to pay fines/higher insurance premiums. It tees me off that I can be fined if my pet doesn't have a vaccine but kids are free to run around unvaccinated willy nilly.
This is a tough one. And as the OP pointed out, now is the time of completing a course of vaccinations. So I am to assume OP that you were not vaccinated as a child?
People choose to have different lifestyles. But there is more than one adult who is less than thrilled that they have to have all of their vaccinations--and have to delay plans (ie: clincals, travelling, college) to get a series of injections completed.
I swear if a group of nurses got together and made literature on vaccines, it may be better regarded. There are some people who see the word "government" in any part of literature, and instantly discount it.
In my experience, it is the unvaccinated children exposing themselves to infants who are too young to receive certain vaccines that seems to be an issue. And have had more than one days old infant on a vent with HIB pneumonia than I can tell you.
If parents won't respond to the literature, then perhaps to the reasoning of looking at the future--they are delaying the unavoidable fact that most schools require full vaccines, as do colleges. If they are going to travel to foriegn countries they need to be vaccinated. It may be looking far into the future, however, is it fair to then make an adult child have to make multiple trips to the MD office for a series of vaccinations?
Again, a tough one. Can talk until I am blue in the face, and some parents just don't want to listen to any reasoning. And most are fully vaccinated adults.
There is one answer, and that is that the original study that raised the possibility of a connection between autism and vaccines was seriously flawed, the British journal that originally published it has since withdrawn it and denounced the author and study, and multiple studies since then have found no connection. I have some understanding of desperate parents (my field is child psych), but beople who still are inclined to take this seriously are people who would rather believe celebrities and quacks than actual science, and what can you say to people like that?
They should do a study on children with autism whose parents are anti-vaccine, the child did not get any, and still are autistic.
elkpark
14,633 Posts
Feel free to read all the legitimate articles, by real scientists, in legitimate scientific journals, that Mr. Miller lists as references at the end of his opinion piece. Google is our friend as much as it is Mr. Miller's. I was able to find the full text of all the articles he cites within a few minutes.