MMR vaccination and autism

[vadee]

While in Nursing School, I did my rotation in a pediatric clinic where a mother had refused to have her son (15 months) vaccinated with the MMR (measles mumps and rubella) vaccine. She had heard about kids getting autism because of the vaccine.

Patients have the right to refused treatments but could the mother be charge with neglience? The reason why I'd asked is because this was brought up in class and I do not recall what exactly was said. Recently I heard on the news that a mother was charged with neglience by refusing to get her daughter treated for a terminal disease.

[SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN]

She won't be prosecuted. The child will, however, have to receive the vaccine - or the diseases - before he starts school.

[VICEDRN, BSN, RN]

OK. I used to be a paralegal and have some experience in the juvenile court setting (through my ex husband). The Court can only intervene when it comes to life saving treatment when the child is literally on death's door and not a minute sooner (in our state).

Vaccinations do not count as lifesaving treatment. I am a mother. My children are vaccinated but I am not jumping for joy over it. I take some offense at your post. It comes across really judgmental, you know?

A mother is responsible for her child's well-being. Providers are there to offer advice and care but can not be a substitute for a mother's intuition. IMHO.

[chenoaspirit, ASN, RN]

I refused the MMR for my child and I would do it again. However my child DID receive 3 separate vaccines, rather than the MMR super shot. Im sure that mother wasnt neglecting her child, but rather was trying to protect her child. And there have been research to suggest a connection between MMR and autism.

And treatment for a terminal illness and refusing a vaccine just have no comparison in my opinion.

[TeresaB930, BSN, RN]

RN2B....You are certainly entitled to your opinion. I have 3 children and all have been immunized with the MMR vaccine. Guess what? My children don't have autism. The evidence is not clear that this vaccine causes autism. This mom would rather keep them from having any one of these three horrible diseases, then speculate if the vaccine will cause more harm than good......IMHO.

Teresa

[Jolie, BSN]

And there have been research to suggest a connection between MMR and autism.

Will you post links to peer-reviewed, scientific research that demonstrates a cause/effect relationship between MMR vaccines and autism, please?

I have no problem with parents who choose not to vaccinate their children, based on any rationale they choose. But as licensed health care providers, it is our responsibility to provide our clients with sound, scientific information upon which they can base their decisions, not to support unfounded rumors that have no basis in scientific fact.

[Noryn]

Will you post links to peer-reviewed, scientific research that demonstrates a cause/effect relationship between MMR vaccines and autism, please?

No because none exist.

[BellasMommyOBRN]

the only research they have has come to the conclusion that a child born with autism actually starts showing symptoms around or at the time a child is vaccinated. there are no links between the 2 as of right now. i do agree therefore, that every parent should be entitled to make their own judgement based on the knowledge that is provided by a doctor, and not the information they read on the internet.

[vadee]

thank you all for posting. first of all, i would like to apologize for touching on a sensitive subject and to those who took offense to my posting. i didn't mean to stir up any issues. i have not given it much thought to the MMR vaccination but i hope when the time comes where i have to make decisions, i hope that I will make a good decision. i'm still a newbie and there will be ethical questions that I may have...but please do not take it to offense. once again thank you.

[AirforceRN, RN]

...but please do not take it to offense. once again thank you.

I'll take the heat...

In MY opinion...parents that don't vaccinate their children are not only making an incredibly poor and often ignorant decision, they are putting both their child and the children they will be spending time with at risk. If their child subsequently contracts measles, mumps, rubella, polio, diptheria etc, and succombs to the illness, I think the parents should be charged with neglect and manslaughter. The only reason this continent is free of some of these illnesses is because of vaccines...why would you risk bringing them back?

[VICEDRN, BSN, RN]

Sorry. I wasn't clear I guess! My kids had the MMR vaccine. Luckily, neither of them have any of the pervasive developmental disorders.

I am staying away from the autism research link topic. Everyone has an opinion on this one!

I am equally as concerned about the preservatives that most vaccines contain, including Thimersol (which is not in the MMR anymore but is still in other vaccines). If I feed my kids organic food, why would I want them to have all of these preservatives at the ped's office?

And chicken pox? C'mon.

[Noryn]

Everyone has an opinion but not everyone has peer reviewed scientific studies. Vaccinations have been one of the greatest breakthroughs in our civilization. In this day and time, we are exposed to world travelers and immigrants from poor countries where diseases may still be present.

I just don't understand why people think the government is covering this up. Are the vaccine makers not granted immunity from lawsuits? Hasn't the FDA recently took cold medication for children

You cannot have it both ways. If people really knew better 50-100 years ago, such as exposing young children to chicken pox parties then lets bring back the mercury teething powders. They even applied Mercurochrome to cuts.

There is a lot of concern over preservatives in our vaccines and food which has been increasing over the past 100 years. I guess that is why our life expectancy has been decreasing.....err wait, the life expectancy has actually been increasing.

My main point is, if you have evidence then show it. Otherwise you are playing a dangerous game by spreading this information.