A Cautious Immunization Plan

 

            Q. I've been impressed by the people who believe that mercury in certain preservatives that are used with vaccines has caused a wide range of illnesses and syndromes, especially in babies and young children. They sure make a good case that it's at least part of the reason for the incredible increase in autism, ADHD and other learning disabilities. It's still controversial, since there hasn't been a widespread study of kids who've never been immunized vs. kids who have, and maybe it'll die down since mercury is being removed from those shots. But kids have so many more shots over their lifetimes than we ever did, that I'm concerned. I sure don't want there to be a massive backlash so that lots of parents opt not to immunize their children against anything - especially with all these immigrants coming into our midst. What's a sensible approach to this issue?

 

There's been controversy over childhood immunizations, which have mounted in number dramatically over the last generation. Dozens of doses may be mandated in your state before a child reaches age 6. This is NOT your father's immunization program - what's routinely done in the way of childhood shots today is far, far, far more than how things used to be.

 

            And the effects within a small child's body are cumulative. That's why it makes a lot of sense to plan out a cautious course of action to manage your child's immunizations - especially if you have a family history of bad reactions to vaccinations, neurological disorders, severe allergies, or immune system disorders.

 

            For a look at one facet of the problem - mercury in the thimerosol, the preservative for some vaccinations, which could be linked to autism and other learning disabilities - see an article by Robert F. Kennedy Jr.:

 
            www.rollingstone.com/politics/story/_/id/7395411.

 

            Conservative physicians counsel this prudent vaccination game plan for your child:

           

·   Wait until the child is at least 2 years old.

 

·   Do not give more than one vaccination at a time.

 

·   Never vaccinate when the child is sick.

 

·   Be sure that the vaccines are thimerosal-free. Don't take the nurse's word for it; you have to check each dose to be sure. Ask to see the shipping paper that came with the dosages and read the ingredients list for yourself. It only takes a second to be courteous, assertive - and safe.

 

·   Supplement the child with extra cod liver oil, vitamin C and B12 before each shot. Yes, cod liver oil - Grandma was right about it!

 

·   Obtain a medical exemption if the child has had a bad reaction to a vaccination before or if there is a personal or family history of vaccine reactions, convulsions or neurological disorders, severe allergies and/or immune system disorders.

 

Homework: Learn more about mercury's effects on www.nomercury.org, and read this parent's op-ed: http://tinyurl.com/3lhvhj. See what the American Academy of Pediatrics has to say about immunizations from its Childhood Immunization Support Program on http://www.cispimmunize.org/