by Jennifer Carey

Created on: August 24, 2007

This article is not a place for judgment; pro-vaccinators attack non-vaccinators readily. But there is a world of information out there regarding vaccines; one must review it and come to their own personal decisions.

First, one needs to review the history of vaccines and timeline for eradication of childhood illnesses - there is, in fact, question as to whether childhood vaccines were the absolute solution. Second, one should gain access to VAERS: this is a report of actual adverse responses to vaccines. There are many. Further consider even milder reactions and reactions pediatricians considered "coincidental" - and never utilized the VAERS system. Third, review the literature regarding the safety and efficacy of vaccines. Now review the source of the studies - the pharmaceutical companies themselves? No conflict of interest there.... Not to worry as the pharmaceutical industry is well known for its ethical presentation of studies and disregard for profit (tongue in cheek.)

Consider the following example. Hepatitis B is a blood borne pathogen which is common in prostitutes and IV drug users. Health care workers, since about the 1990's, were mandated to receive the vaccine because of their increased risks of blood exposure. In the mid-1990's it became popular as a vaccine that was administered to newborn babies so the hospital could get the series of three injections initiated. This was then pulled off the market because of the thirmesol, or mercury content. Now it is back, not 100% mercury free, but often presented as such. Despite the fact that women are screened during pregnancy to consider risk, the American Academy of Pediatrics suggest all babies start this vaccine at birth. Why? Are the babies going down to the corner to prostitute themselves or use IV drugs? There is a small group of babies of high risk moms that may benefit from early vaccination - if their mom's are hepatitis B positive; yet the masses are included to have their immune systems challenged so early in life. Furthermore, the vaccine is given as a single dose injection at the hospital. At the pediatrician's office, in many cases it is combined with other vaccines which are given as a series of three - starting the series all over again and necessitating a third dose. This information is not always presented so readily in an effort to be compliant with AAP recommendations, parents need to gather information themselves.

Now, the clutch of the story; do childhood vaccines hurt the development

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