April 1, 2013  

Two landmark articles have now significantly undermined the vaccine promotes autism argument.

The first is by Charles Woods in the June 2010 issue of Pediatrics entitled On time vaccine receipt in the first year does not adversely affect neuropsychological outcomes.

Both studies were performed in order to assess the risk of autism in two separate ways. They looked at children who received vaccines versus those who did not or had a delayed schedule and also analyzed the number of protein antigens given to both groups. 

The end results are that there are not associations between modern vaccine scheduling or antigen makeups and the ASD increase.  

I highly encourage you to read both articles and judge for yourself. 

The bigger concern for me is this: what are mothers being exposed to while pregnant during critical priming times of intrauterine growth. We are exposed to volumes of drugs and chemicals everyday that could play a role in ASD. 

Vaccines on the other hand have a known and large defined benefit that is not disputable. They save lives everyday.  I, unfortunately, have seen both sides of the vaccine issue. I have seen the sick kids that were not vaccinated. And I see the children that have autism. Until we have some proof of causation regarding vaccines and ASD, I will have to side with recommending vaccinations despite the lack of its popularity for some parents. 

On the other hand again, maternal exposures to unhealthy chemicals has no benefit, only a downside. I am not saying that we have a cause and effect with ASD yet, but there could be a plausible mechanism for disease through epigenetics. Avoiding chemicals in all of their forms where possible is just common sense.

Either way, you have to weigh the evidence critically and decide what is right for your family. I respect each persons decision as their own.

Be well,