Shots! Shots! Shots!
Oh you were thinking this post was about alcohol right... Not today. I could really use a margarita about now! It's almost Cinco de Mayo! This post is going to be about vaccinations in all their glory. Amelia had her two month well visit check up two days ago and received her vaccinations! At birth, she received her Hepatitis B shot. Now, at two months, she received her rotavirus vaccine via her mouth in liquid form, and her tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis, polio, pneumonia, and meningitis vaccines via a shot intramuscularly. Even though I've seen many babies pricked by tiny needles, I was terrified to see my own daughter get poked. Amelia is a trooper though. She cried at first, but was quickly over it. I love my daughter.
In my mind and Amelia's fathers, there was no doubt she would be vaccinated. However, I believe in freedom of choice, and I want parents to have all the facts before their children get vaccinated. It is good to question science and question things in general. The scientific method always starts with a question and hypothesis. However, with vaccinations, the original study (http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(97)11096-0/abstract) by the former Doctor Andrew Wakefield in 1998, has been proven fraudulent numerous times over. Today, he states his research did not claim correlation between the MMR vaccine and autism, but rather reported the outcomes of what happened to eight children after receiving the vaccine. He claimed his research was calling for more research to be done in this area. It has been and further research has refuted a correlation multiple times over. He claimed that the combined vaccine could be a source of autism spectrum disorders and believed in giving an uncombined single measles vaccine. He published his paper after putting in an application for a new vaccine/therapeutic agent for measles several months before. Since his study, multiple studies with larger groups of children, including a 2002 study of 535,544 children vaccinated in Finland and a 2002 study of 537,303 children in Denmark, have been done showing NO correlation between the MMR vaccine and autism. Here is a good article questioning Dr. Wakefield after the recent measles outbreak in California. Making sure your child gets vaccinated not only protects them, but protects the children and adults surrounding them. Not everyone has strong immune systems, especially children undergoing chemotherapy treatments or those with immune deficiencies. Many people see a correlation with vaccines and autism because of the timeframe. The vaccination is around 12-15 months which is around the same time children are diagnosed with autism. Autistic children are gifts from God. They are brilliant and unique. These vaccinations can save your child's life. Some of these curable diseases can cause lifelong brain problems, deafness, blindness, and even death. Please vaccinate your children after you have all of the information you need. Don't be afraid to ask your pediatrician any and all the questions you have about vaccines. There are alternate schedules that some pediatricians allow if you feel more comfortable with that schedule. Also, if your child is sick on the day they are supposed to receive their vaccinations, reschedule their appointment for a different time.
In my mind and Amelia's fathers, there was no doubt she would be vaccinated. However, I believe in freedom of choice, and I want parents to have all the facts before their children get vaccinated. It is good to question science and question things in general. The scientific method always starts with a question and hypothesis. However, with vaccinations, the original study (http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(97)11096-0/abstract) by the former Doctor Andrew Wakefield in 1998, has been proven fraudulent numerous times over. Today, he states his research did not claim correlation between the MMR vaccine and autism, but rather reported the outcomes of what happened to eight children after receiving the vaccine. He claimed his research was calling for more research to be done in this area. It has been and further research has refuted a correlation multiple times over. He claimed that the combined vaccine could be a source of autism spectrum disorders and believed in giving an uncombined single measles vaccine. He published his paper after putting in an application for a new vaccine/therapeutic agent for measles several months before. Since his study, multiple studies with larger groups of children, including a 2002 study of 535,544 children vaccinated in Finland and a 2002 study of 537,303 children in Denmark, have been done showing NO correlation between the MMR vaccine and autism. Here is a good article questioning Dr. Wakefield after the recent measles outbreak in California. Making sure your child gets vaccinated not only protects them, but protects the children and adults surrounding them. Not everyone has strong immune systems, especially children undergoing chemotherapy treatments or those with immune deficiencies. Many people see a correlation with vaccines and autism because of the timeframe. The vaccination is around 12-15 months which is around the same time children are diagnosed with autism. Autistic children are gifts from God. They are brilliant and unique. These vaccinations can save your child's life. Some of these curable diseases can cause lifelong brain problems, deafness, blindness, and even death. Please vaccinate your children after you have all of the information you need. Don't be afraid to ask your pediatrician any and all the questions you have about vaccines. There are alternate schedules that some pediatricians allow if you feel more comfortable with that schedule. Also, if your child is sick on the day they are supposed to receive their vaccinations, reschedule their appointment for a different time.
The CDC vaccination schedule
Amelia has not received the MMR vaccine yet, but here is some information on these diseases.
Measles: When infected by the measles virus, it takes approximately 10-14 days until you notice symptoms. Symptoms at first are runny nose, fever >104F, cough, and red eyes. Then, a few days later, you may notice white spots on the inside of the mouth called Koplik spots. After that, a rash will start to develop from your face and then to the rest of your body. Complications from measles include diarrhea, pneumonia, blindness, and most seriously an acute brain infection called subacute sclerosing pan encephalitis.
Mumps: Mumps begins with your typical viral symptoms, fever, muscle pain, headache, and fatigue. Next, you have painful swelling of one or both of your parotid glands (the ones beneath your chin). Complications include brain infections, deafness, pancreatitis, and infertility in men (if it spreads to the testicles).
Rubella: The rash usually appears fourteen days after exposure, starting on the face and spreading to the rest of the body, lasting for three days. The rash is not as bright as the measles rash and is only sometimes itchy. You also get typical viral symptoms such as fever, sore throat, swollen lymph nodes, and fatigue. Complications include bleeding, inflammation of the nerves/brain infections, and testicular pain. Congenital rubella infection is most serious causing brain, heart, eye, and hearing abnormalities. Most mothers are screened during their prenatal appointments.
Rotavirus: This is a diarrheal infection that can lead to deadly dehydration. It is most commonly passed around daycares.
Tetanus: This can cause muscle spasms and lockjaw. This will need to be boosted and given again if a child or adult steps on a nail, has a foreign body prick their skin.
Pertussis: This is whooping cough.
Diphtheria: This disease can cause grey or white patches to form in the throat obstructing the airway.
Polio: This virus can cause permanent paralysis of the legs.
Meningitis: This is a bacteria that causes infection of the layers surrounding the brain, which can lead to memory problems and even death if not treated soon enough.
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