What are the links between vaccines and autism?
|
|
Many parents are concerned over vaccines these days after so much media coverage about vaccines and their possible links to autism. Obviously, this would scare any parent and it has scared quite a few. However, this information shouldn’t scare you but rather motivate you to do some research and determine whether all of the research points to risks of vaccines causing autism or not. It is a parent’s right to determine whether their child is vaccinated or not. Therefore, instead of taking your doctor’s word for it you should do the research, ask a lot of questions, and then make up your mind about vaccines. But, do vaccines cause autism?
According to many studies by the CDC neither vaccines nor their additives cause autism. However, it is a fact that some children will have a negative reaction to vaccines and the additives or vaccines themselves could worsen certain conditions, which then could lead to autism. This is a known risk and the reason why any parent who has had a child with a vaccine reaction or mitochondrial disorder should avoid vaccinating their children. However, what are parents supposed to do who do not have any risk factors yet are worried about their child?
The most important thing is to weigh the risk factors of the vaccines against other risk factors to make a decision. If your child is in an area where there are many active diseases then the risk factors of the vaccines are probably lower than the risk of the actual diseases. Then again, if your child lives in an area where there is little threat of one of the diseases then not vaccinating is an option. The CDC says that vaccines and autism are not related. However, many parents with affected children disagree. This is all quite confusing and can make it very difficult for parents to decide what to do.
When it comes down to it, there are no formal “links” of vaccines to autism. Nevertheless, vaccine injuries do occur in a small percentage of the population every year. Some children’s immune systems are not strong enough to deal with the vaccines while others have underlying health issues that would not cause serious problems on their own, but in combination with the vaccines cause major health issues.
It is important for parents to be informed about vaccines, about their past heath issues and their child’s current health, and to feel confident in making the best decision for their child regardless of whether that is to vaccinate them, to put them on a delayed schedule, or not vaccinate at all.
Related Articles:
if you have any questions or comments!