Childhood Vaccines Lead to Autism, Fact or Fiction

Childhood Vaccines Lead to Autism, Fact? Or Fiction? â€Å"Today one in every 150 children has been diagnosed on the autism spectrum; 20 years ago that statistic was one in 10,000† (Mooney, 2009, p. 58). There are many vaccines that are administered to children today that protect them from measles, mumps, rubella, chickenpox, tetanus, invasive Haemophilus influenza type B (Hib) infections, etc. (Miller amp; Reynolds, 2009, p. 167). Among these and many other diseases children are currently being vaccinated against 14 diseases, and these take place from infancy until the start of kindergarten. These childhood vaccinations are given as early as they can be to make sure the children are protected against any diseases that can occur in their†¦show more content†¦170). Thimerosal was first introduced in the 1930’s and is a preservative that eliminated the bacterial contamination in vaccines, but could possibly sit in the brain and cause neurological damage (Mooney, 2009, p. 60). Before 1989, American preschoolers had to only receive three vaccines; for polio, diphtheria-pertussis, and MMR. In 1999 the FDA and CDC decided that vaccine users should reduce or even get rid of the amount of thimerosal used in vaccines. The CDC also recommended that newborns should wait to get the Hepatitis B vaccination until a thimerosal free vaccination became available (Miller amp; Reynolds, 2009, p. 170). According to head of the chemistry department at University of Kentucky, Dr. Boyd Haley, â€Å"‘You couldn’t even construct a study that shows thimerosal is safe, it’s just too darn toxic. If you inject thimerosal into an animal, its brain will sicken. If you apply it to living tissues, the cells die. Knowing these things, it would be shocking if one inject it into an infant without causing damage’† (Kennedy, 2005, p. 59). With the being said, vaccine manufacturers began working to find a way to make a thimerosal-free vaccina tion, and eventually they made one. Then a decade later, children were receiving a total of 22 vaccinations by the time they started first grade. As the number of vaccines that children needed went up, the autism rate stayedShow MoreRelatedShould You Vaccinate Your Child? Essay1813 Words   |  8 PagesShould You Vaccinate Your Child? The Center for Disease Control describes vaccines as the greatest development in public health since clean drinking water. For several decades, vaccines have saved countless lives and helped eradicate some fatal diseases. The push to do away with vaccines will not only endanger our youth, but our society as a whole. Vaccination is needed to maintain a healthy balance within our country. Vaccines provide the immunity that comes from a natural infection without the consequencesRead MoreVaccination : Helpful Or Harmful?1887 Words   |  8 Pagesadministering of a virus or bacteria to a recipient. The purpose of vaccinating is to prepare the recipient’s immune system to fight future infections of the virus or bacteria that could cause diseases leading to death or permanent injury. There are many vaccines, designed for many common diseases. The main reason for peoplesomeone to have themselves or their children vaccinated is to protect them from certain diseases. Immunisation als o exists to eradicate disease among the population. If vaccinating decreasesRead MoreGump Notes Essay7299 Words   |  30 Pagesroutines or plans and a lack of comprehensive grasp of objects. He has these problems described above with onset prior to age 3 years his disturbance is not accounted for by childhood disintegrative disorder (characterized by loss of previously acquired skills). In result, a total of six items could be confirmed and his childhood characteristics fulfill DSM-IV criteria for autistic disorder. In addition, all his natures including these items are frequently observed in individuals with autistic disorder