ChatterBank5 mins ago
MMR jab - safe?
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For more on marking an answer as the "Best Answer", please visit our FAQ.Hi there enigma, it's me again (eggman); many thanks for your advice and your support, which is genuinely much appreciated. Of course, you're absolutely right about MMR and we will be immunising James as soon as possible - the potential alternatives are just too invidious even to contemplate.
I was very interested in said Dr Wakefield, who on the available evidence seems to have initiated a sustained campaign of at best obfuscation and at worst downright deceit on the part of government. This, in essence, is what makes me most uneasy about the whole affair; if MMR is indeed safe - which, in the vast majority of cases, it almost certainly is - then why can't government with a stroke of the pen alleviate the fears of millions of anxious parents nationwide?
Yours with a heavy heart, eggman xx.
Eggman you say why can't the government just wipe out the parents' fears... if only! I think there is a real culture of mistrust in this country when it comes to figures of authority such as the government and even scientists and 'experts'. The government have helped fund some HUGE studies which have shown no link, they have advertising campaigns, I personally think they are trying their best but there are some people that sadly just cannot trust all this, and perhaps think that the government are 'out to get them'. I think they forget that MPs and the PM are people too with their own families - as if they would ever put all the children in this country at undue risk!
Thanks, morg monster; I agree entirely that there is indeed a culture of mistrust in this country and that is very often wholly without foundation. Having said that much, the plain fact remains that government has consistently - and some might even say perversely - refused adamantly to publish the findings of those studies to which you refer. This, surely, cannot be good for democracy in general or parents of newborn children in particular.
Regards, eggman
Hi eggman - I think decisions about immunisations are among the hardest parents have to take, and you have to go with your gut feeling. I have a daughter who was diagnosed autistic during the height of the MMR scare, so I have thought a lot about this subject! On a rational, logical, and calm level I do not believe there is any proven link with autism, but when it came to taking my daughter, and her older brother for their MMR boosters, I just couldn't do it. I discussed it with my GP and my daughter's paediatrician, and they both understood my why I felt this way and supported me. Both children have good immunity from their initial jabs, and we will consider the situation again, especially for my daughter, when they are older. It is bewildering when you are told your child has autism, and it is only natural to look for causes - the MMR jab is the "usual suspect" because the characteristics of autism start appearing at about the same time. Go with your instincts eggman, I am sure you will do whatever is best for James, and after all that's all we can do as parents!
if the worst happens and james develops autism, then maybe you can take comfort in that he could have suffered much worse had he not had the jab and caught measles, mumphs or reubella.on the flip side, you can also take comfort if he doesn't get the jab and catches measles, mumphs or reubella, then maybe he would have had a worse, depressing life as an autistic child. but i'm sure none of these things will happen ;o)
No one has mentioned this but you all seem to be sensibly taking it for granted. Without the jab we would be simply adding to the far greater general risk of a mumps epidemic. Cases of this are in fact rising and that is a very serious and real danger against the highly dubious and poorly evidence link with autism or AS.
On that point I am fascinated by the AS oxygen link. Our boy too has AS and I watched as he struggled through a diificult birth and the paediatrician tried to get him 'started up' as he turned blue. The paediatrician was like an airline pilot keeping calm and giving nothing away but it was clear that it was a close thing. Thanks for that. It just about confirms my long term suspicion of oxygen deprivation as a cause - but what a weirdly specific effect!
Thanks for that, enigma, that's put my mind at rest on the mercury front at least. I'm sure the MMR jab is safe; as I say, my other two kids have had it without any ill effects, and as has already been mentioned there are potentially some very serious consequences upon measles, mumps and rubella. I just wish that the government would play ball with the people who elected it to power, that's all. Democracy truly is a wondrous thing sometimes, don't you think?
Regards, eggman X
Many people will tell you that they noticed it just after the MMR jab, just so happens that the MMR jab is given from 12-18 months old. I am not saying anyone is lieing, but as soon as your child has the MMR jab you are almost looking for Autism to rear it's head. Yes, some children do suddenly stop talking, but then Autistic children can start and stop talking all throuhg their lives, such is the condition.
There were some tests carried out and the results published earlier this month - http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/4311613.stm - makes interesting reading. Unfortunately Autism happens, it can affect any child and it looks like having/not having the MMR jab is not going to make any difference. The bigger issue should be as to how much of a risk/how irresponsible you are being by not having your child immunised.