All,
I have a wonderful time to reading the book "Autism Spectrum Disorders:
Interventions and Teatments for Children and Youth" and just like to share some
"objective/university-textbook-like description" about Vaccninations and Autism to
all of you, there are some very good information about the history; What is
Chelation? Who will be the "risky" child? Some suggestion about how to
arrange Vaccine schedule; If we really need to take the Vaccine, what Vitamin can
help the kids.... (enjoy):
Please take a look.. you will learn a lot!!!
Thanks.
Howin
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Mercury: Vaccinations and Autism
Description of Intervention
- In the 1960s and 1970s, the medical field became aware of several diseases that
were allegedly caused by mercury (Hg) poisoning.
- Included among these condistiona were Minamata disease (caused by mercury –
contaminated fish), Pink disease-acrodynia (caused by mercury – containing teething
and diaper powders), and Mad Hatter’s disease (caused by occupational exposure to
mercury).
- Mercury is highly toxic to animals and humans and can cause extensive tissue
and organ damage, specifically in the brain.
- Symptoms are numerous, including muscle tremors, seizures, hearing loss,
memory loss, extreme shyness, depression, anxiety, increased aggression, abnormal
reflexes, and sterility (Shaw, 2002).
- In the 1970s, a number of governments began setting limits on the amount of
mercury included in products or substances and in some cases mandated that mercury
be completely eliminated as an ingredient in some products.
- It has been hypothesized that a mercury compound used in some vaccinations,
thimerosal (TMS) (which is almost 50% ethyl-mercury), causes or contributes to
autism (Bernard, Enayati, Redwood, Roger, & Binstock, 2001; Rimland, 2000, Shaw,
2002).
- In 1999, the FDA and the Ameican Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) determined
“that the typical amount of Hg injected into infants and toddlers via childhood
immunizations has exceeded government safety guidelines on an individual and
cumulative vaccine basis” (Bernard et al., 2001, p462).
- In 2000, the US government stated that during 2001 they would begin taking
thimerosal-containing vaccines off the market (Rimland, 2000).
- Some children who are later diagnosed with ASD first demonstrate typical
development for a year or more before displaying a regression in their
communication, social, and play skills.
- For many years, parents, researchers, and medical practitioners have reported a
correlation between these children displaying late-onset autisms and the introduction
of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) triple vaccine (a vaccine that contains
thimerosal).
- Specifically, it was reported that there was a significant increase in children
diagnosed with autism after the introduction of the MMR vaccine in the mid-1980s
(other vaccines containing thimerosal introduced at the same time include hepatitis B
and Haemophilus influenza type b (HIB)) (Bernard et al., 2001; Rimland, 2000).
- Due to the high mercury content in these vaccines and an increase in the
prevalence of ASD, professionals and parents began to raise the question of whether
mercury poisoning was responsible for at least some cases of ASD.
- The similarities have been found between individuals with mercury poisoning
and individuals diagnosed with ASD has added to this alleged connection (Bernard et
al., 2001; Rimland, 2000; Shaw, 2002).
- In 1998, a British gastroenterologist, Andrew Wakefield, reported alarming
results from two studies that he conducted with a total of 42 children with ASD. He
found that all the children had intestinal abnormalities and that the onset of the
autisitic-like symptoms came after vaccinations in a significant perentage of the
children (Shaw, 2002).
- In a subsequent article, Bernard et al. (2001) reported similarities between
mercury poisoning and autism symptoms and traits, including psychiatric disorders,
speech and language deficits, sensory abnormalities, motor disorders, cognitive
impairments, unusual behaviors, and physical disorders.
- Bernard et al. (2001) also reported parallel biological abnormalities and
biochemistry disorders, immune system disorders, central nervous system disorders,
neurochemistry disorders, and abnormal sensory responses.
- Finally, Bernard et al, (2001) noted similar population characteristics, including
the onset of ASD following introduction of mercury-containing vaccines, onset of
ASD symptoms after vaccination in individuals with known heredity of autoimmunce
diseases, and increased ASD prevalence among males.
- The authors concluded that due to the extensive parallels between mercury
poisoning and autism, mercury should be considered a trigger for late onset of
symptoms of autism, and thus thimerosal should be removed from all vaccines.
- Shaw (2002) provides information related to the detection and treatment of
mercury within a child’s body.
- He reports that the most effective and easiest form of mercury detection is hair
sample analysis (mercury is only detectable in hair if the child has been recently
exposed.)
- The 2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) (Chemet) challenge test is a more
sensitive screening for mercury toxicity; It can detect mercury no matter how long
ago the child was exposed.
- The test involves providing the child with a dosage of DMSA (which binds to the
mercury) and then taking a urine sample and measuring the levels of mercury present.
- There are sometimes adverse side affects associated with using the drug DMSA
(nausea, headache, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and so on). However, these symptoms
are usually temporary and caused by stirring up the mercury in the child’s blood
(Shaw, 2002).
- The most common form of treatment for mercury poisoning is chelation therapy
(Bernard et al., 2000; Shaw, 2002). The first step in treatment is to eliminate all
sources of mercury – containing vaccines).
- Second, the child is given dosages of DMSA, along with supplements of calcium,
magnesium, selenium, and zinc.
- The dosage amount and schedule of delivery is determined by the child’s reaction
to the drug.
- Typically, younger children more quickly complete the chelation process. The
entire process can take from one to two years.
- For parents making decisions about vaccinations for their children,
Shaw(2002) points out that children are more likely to have adverse effects to
vaccinations if the following are present:
o family or personal history of seizures or other neurological disorders.
o
Family or personal history of severe allergies
o Family or personal history of allergies to common ingredients in vaccines (e.g.
eggs, gelatin, casein, or thimerosal)
o
Premature birth or low birth weight
o
Chronic illness or recent severe illness
o
A family member with an adverse vaccine reaction
o
Previous reaction to vaccine
o
And/or recent or current intake of prophylactic antibiotics
- In addition, Shaw (2002) provides suggestions for alternatives to common
vaccination requirements and schedules.
- If one or more of the aforementioned conditions is present, Shaw
recommends the following:
o
Delay immunizations until age 2 or 3.
o
Provide child with adequate vitamins before vaccinations (particularly A and C)
o Accept only the DaPT (diphtheria-acellular pertussis-tetanus) vaccine, which does
not contain mercury.
o If a child is lactose (cow’s milk) intolerant, have the child tested for casein allergy
prior to vaccination.
o
Accept only mercury-free vaccines.
o Ask for the child to be given only single vaccinations paced a few months apart
instead of the triple or combined vaccines (i.e. DaPT). Although single vaccinations
are preferred, a mercury-free DaPT is safer than a DPT (diphtheria, pertussia, and
tetanus).
o File an exemption from vaccination report if a child has had previous adverse
affects from vaccinations or several of the above-mentioned conditions are present.
o Provide the hepatitis B vaccine only to adults or children who travel in Third
World countries, are sexually promiscuous, or who are frequently exposed to the body
fluids of others.
o
Do not unnecessarily avoid vaccinations.
- Christopher Kent (1983) also suggests that parents not rely completely on health
officials’ information on ‘mandatory’ vaccinations and instead read their state’s
vaccination statutes, along with the exemptions. These policies are available in public
libraries and public health agencies.
- The relationship between mercury poisoning, vaccines, and ASD remains
unclear. Parents are therefore encouraged to consult with their physician about
withholding or delaying the administration of vaccines.
Conclusions
- There remains a lack of scientific evidence to convincingly link mercury
poisoning, the provision of vaccines, and the onset of ASD.
- However, there does appear to be a significant temporal link: the increase in
prevalence of late-onset ASD beginning in the mid-1980s correlates the increase in
the amount and types of new vaccines.
- It is common knowledge that mercury is toxic to human beings, and it is logical
to request mercury-free vaccines (which the US government has recognized).
- However, whether the existence of mercury (or a particular amount of mercury)
in the MMR vaccine causes autism has yet to be proven.
- Another possibility is that giving the MMR vaccine at one time and at a young
age may cause adverse effects for some children, which may have nothing to do with
the vaccine’s mercury content.
-
More research in this field is clearly needed.
For information regarding the mercury status of vaccines:
FDA: www.fda.gov/cber/vaccine/thimerosal.htm
To Report an adverse vaccination effect or to obtain information about the harmful
effects of specific vaccines:
National Vaccine Information Center: www.909shot.com
For information regarding books, tapes, papers and referrals to physicians and
attorneys regarding mercury poisoning and vaccinations (free catalog upon request):
New Atlantean Press Newsletter, The Vaccine Reaction: P.O. Box 9638, Santa Fe,
NM 87504; phone: (505) 983-1856