Vaccines...a bear to research

I received an e-mail from a friend re: vaccinations. She has two children with autism. I read the book she suggested and below are the cliff notes.

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The following are my cliff notes from The Vaccine Book (Robert W. Sears, M.D., F.A.A.P.) Opting out of a couple of the vaccines was our choice, not his recommendation. We began vaccinations at 4 months instead of at 2 months.

“The main difference in my suggested alternative vaccine schedule is it spreads the infant vaccines out over the first few years of life, instead of bunching them all up in the first 18 months.... What are the benefits of my alternative schedule compared to the standard one?
• By only giving two vaccines at a time (instead of as many as 6), I decrease the chance of chemical overload from grouping so many vaccines chemicals all together at once. This allows a baby's body to better detoxify the chemicals one or two at a time.
• I give only 1 aluminum-containing vaccine at a time (instead of the recommended 4). Overloading on this metal can be particularly toxic to the brain.
• I give only one live-virus vaccine component at a time to allow the body's immune system to better handle the live viruses in these vaccines.
• Giving fewer shots at a time may decrease the side effects, in my experience.
• Giving fewer shots at a time also makes it easier to figure out which vaccine a child is reacting to if a severe reaction occurs.” Dr. Sears

A = Aluminum
M = Mercury
F = Formaldehyde

Alternative Vaccine Schedule

2 months
• YES...DTaP (Daptacel by Sanofi-Pasteur brand = 330 mg A, 100 mg F) Diphtheria...This rare, but serious disease causes breathing/throat/lung problems. Tetanus...This rare, but serious disease causes paralysis. Pertussis...This very common, serious, and often fatal (in infants and children) disease causes whooping cough and damage to the lungs. Unfortunately, as of 2008, there is not a P-only shot. This vaccine is not as deadly as the former DTP, but it is still one of the more dangerous vaccines. If given alone or with a non-harmful vaccine and if the infant’s immune system is boosted, there are fewer chances of serious side effects.
• NO...Rotavirus (POSSIBLY OPT OUT OF THIS ONE) This very common disease causes severe diarrhea (up to 12 dirty diapers a day). With good hydration [breast milk] and probiotics [acidophilus], no hospitalization/doctor needed. Also, the oldest vaccine brand on the market has only been out since 2007. Older ones have been taken off the market because of major side effects. May want to rethink this vaccine after it has been out for a longer period of time and more research/refining has been done. If child is in daycare and not breastfed, this vaccine may be a good option.

3 months (shot only visits)
• YES...Pc (Prevnar by Wyeth brand = 125 mg A) This common and sometimes serious disease (pneumococcus) can cause pneumonia/blood-stream infections/meningitis. This disease targets children under 2 and the elderly. Babies who are breastfed have a lower chance of getting this disease. The vaccine is relatively safe, especially if given with a non-aluminum vaccine or alone.
• YES...HIB (ActHIB by Sanofi-Pasteur brand = no M or A) The rare, but very serious disease causes meningitis/blood and bone infection/pneumonia. This is one of the safest vaccines given.

4 months
• YES...DTaP (See note at 2 months)
• NO...Rotavirus (See note at 2 months)

5 months (shot only visits)
• YES...Pc (See note at 3 months)
• YES...HIB (See note at 3 months)

6 months
• YES...DTaP (See note at 2 months)
• NO...Rotavirus (See note at 2 months)

7 months (shot only visits)
• YES...Pc (See note at 3 months)
• YES...HIB (See note at 3 months)

9 months
• YES...Polio (Ipol by Sanofi Pasteur brand = .02% F) (POSSIBLY OPT OUT OF THIS ONE...do more research) Polio is rare, but transmitted like the common cold and can cause paralysis or permanent muscle weakness. The vaccine does have baby cow blood serum, human blood proteins and monkey kidney cells. However, the side effects profile is one of the safest of all vaccines. Although the chance of getting polio is almost none (in the States), the very serious disease can return if many people choose not to vaccinate. This vaccination is important from a public health standpoint.
• NO...Flu (2 doses) (OPT OUT OF THIS ONE) The potential severity of the flu for infants and children has been hyped by the media. However, the elderly are susceptible to more serious/fatal flu symptoms. (There is a total of approx. 100 deaths per year in children and adults combined...90% elderly.) The flu is very common and often runs its course within a week. There is also no guarantee that the flu shot given is the strain that will spread in a given year. Also, many of the vaccines contain mercury, formaldehyde, and/or MSG.

12 months
• NO (doctor didn't have individual Mumps vaccine)...Mumps. See note at 5 years = MMR
• YES...Polio (See 9 note at months)

15 months
• YES...Pc (See note at 3 months)
• YES...HIB (See note at 3 months)

18 months
• YES...DTaP (See note at 2 months)
• NO...Chickenpox (OPT OUT OF THIS ONE unless child does not catch disease by age 11.) The disease is rarely harmful in children, however, can be serious in teens and adults. The vaccine has the live virus, MSG, DNA from human cells, and cow fetus serum. And the vaccine does not guarantee immunity. (Whereas contracting the virus does.) If not sure the child has caught chickenpox by age 11, have blood test done for immunity, then consider giving vaccine.

21 months (shot only visit)
• NO...Flu (See note at 9 months)

2 years
• NO (doctor doesn't have individual Rubella shot)...Rubella. See note at 5 years = MMR
• YES...Polio (See 9 note at months)

2 years, 6 months (shot only visit)
• YES??...Hep B (Engerix B by GlaxoSmithKline = 250 mg A) (POSSIBLY OPT OUT OF THIS ONE) Hepatitis B is a dangerous, but a rare (among infants and children) sexually transmitted (saliva/blood transfusion/dirty needle) disease causing liver damage. This vaccine is recommended at birth if the mother has the disease. (Some hospitals give this vaccine to babies at birth without parents’ permission, so make sure to make your wishes known beforehand.) The vaccine itself is not too dangerous, so you can opt out unless there is high potential of coming in contact with infected persons.
• NO...Hep A (OPT OUT OF THIS ONE) Hepatitis A is passed through the stool. (Eating food an infected person has touched if they have not washed their hands after using bathroom.) This disease can cause liver damage in teens and adults (the vaccine is recommended if a person has a weak liver), but often, the intestinal flu symptoms (in teens and adults) only last a few weeks with no ill effects. Children under 6 rarely have any symptoms. Once infected, a person has a life-long immunity. This vaccine was not routinely given until 2006. However, in an effort to wipe out the disease (and spare teens and adults the discomfort), infants are given this as a matter of course. If given to a child under 2, there is a higher rate of possible seizures from the vaccine.

3 years
• YES??...Hep B (See note at 2 years, 6 monts)
• NO (doctor doesn't have the individual measles vaccine)...Measles (See note at 5 years = MMR)
• NO...Flu (See note at 9 months)

3 years, 6 months (shot only visit)
• YES??...Hep B (See note at 2 years, 6 months)
• NO...Hep A (See note at 2 years, 6 months)

4 years
• YES...DTaP (See note at 2 months)
• YES...Polio (See 9 note at months)
• NO...Flu (See note at 9 months)

5 years
• YES...MMR (Booster) Measles…this is a rare and usually not serious disease. There is no treatment. The disease must run its course. Mumps…see description of measles. Rubella…only dangerous to pregnant women. It causes birth defects during the first and second trimesters. This vaccine has the live viruses, human blood proteins, cow fetus serum, and chick embryo proteins. It sometimes causes serious side effects (especially with a weak immune system). However, from a public health standpoint, if people choose not to vaccinate, unborn babies are susceptible to birth defects. This is difficult to decide because there are reports that the vaccine is linked to autism. However, if you split the vaccine (M, M, and R), the dangers are drastically reduced. A 5-year-old’s immune system is able to handle the 3-in-1 booster just fine, or you can split it up and give it to them in the course of a year. It is important for girls to get the Rubella at least 3 months before they are married. For boys they need to have the Mumps before they hit puberty. If the mumps settle in their testicles after puberty they will be sterile.
• NO...Flu (See note at 9 months)

6 years
• NO...Chickenpox (OPT OUT OF THIS ONE) This is the booster shot. See note at 18 months.

11 years
• YES...Chickenpox (See note at 18 months) If disease is not caught by this age, do blood test to determine immunity and consider vaccinating.

12 years
• NO...Tdap (See note at 2 months) (POSSIBLY OPT OUT OF THIS ONE) This is the DTaP for teens. The main reason for this vaccine at this age is pertussis. It is common among teens and adults, but not serious. The goal is to decrease the spread of pertussis to infants, since they are not vaccinated until two months (or later). They recommend adults be vaccinated every 10 years. Side effects can be serious. Do more research at a later date. There may be a P-only vaccine by that time.
• NO...HPV for females (OPT OUT OF THIS ONE) This sexually-transmitted and common disease causes genital warts and cervical cancer. The vaccine has currently not been approved for males. The vaccine only protects against a few strains of the virus, and the duration of protection is unclear.

12 years, 2 months (shot only visit)
• NO...HPV (See note at 12 years)

13 years
• NO...HPV (See note at 12 years)
• YES...Meningococcal (Menactra by Sanofi Pasteur brand) This somewhat rare disease causes meningitis and is the most serious of all vaccine-prevented diseases. Aggressive medical care in ICU for weeks is usually required. Often there is permanent disability/fatality of some kind. College kids in dorm conditions and infants are at high risk. However, this brand-new vaccine was launched in 2005 and has not yet been approved for infants/children. This is one of the purest and simplest vaccines made. A new vaccine may come out in 2008 for infants and children. May want to do more research later on.

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For parents who don't want to vaccinate at all, the following are Dr. Sears' suggestions of the most important vaccines to consider, along with a schedule. Read pages 224 - 226 for his explanation.

2 months DTaP, Rotavirus (Rotavirus, only if you don't plan to nurse.)
3 months Pc, HIB
4 months DTaP, Rotavirus (Rotavirus, only if you don't plan to nurse.)
5 months Pc, HIB
6 months DTaP, Rotavirus (Rotavirus, only if you don't plan to nurse.)
7 months Pc, HIB
15 months Pc, HIB
5 years Tetanus booster
10 years Blood tests for measles, mumps, rubella, chickenpox, and hep A immunity. Consider vaccinating if not immune. Also consider a 3-dose polio series if traveling to Africa or Asia.
11 years HPV (3 doses, girls only)
12 years Hep B (3 doses)

Mercury
Make sure your doctor is using 100% mercury-free vaccines. The only place mercury is still found in large quantities is in some brands of the flu shot and some older versions of the plain tetanus and diphtheria/tetanus shots. A few shots use mercury in manufacturing, then go through a filtering process that removes 99% of it, leaving a tiny little trace amount of mercury. These shots include one brand of the DTaP vaccine, some brands of the flu shot, and the newer plain tetanus or diphtheria/tetanus shots.

Schedule
If you are starting the schedule at 4 or 6 months (instead of at 2 months), don’t hurry to catch up. Just start the schedule as if your baby was 2 months old, and you’ll go through the whole thing but always be 2 to 4 months behind.

Immune system
Most vaccine side effects involve the immune system reacting poorly to the vaccine, so insuring a healthy immune system is one way parents can decrease their child’s risk of a vaccine reaction.

Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding reduces a baby's risk of catching any of the above diseases and boost the immune system to handle vaccines. It is best to breastfeed for two years if possible. (I only breastfed for a little over a year.)

Sugar and junk food
Sugar weakens the immune system. Minimize treats and sugary foods for several weeks prior to checkups and vaccines at the doctor’s office.

Omega-3 oil supplements
Most children are deficient in the healthy omega-3 fats (from fish and eggs). Breast milk is also full of omega-3’s. Choose fish oils (liquids for toddlers over age one and chewables or capsules for older kids) that are tested and found to be mercury free. (GO FISH Children’s Omega-3 Fish Oil Liquid = 1/2 teaspoon for children 6 months and older. Adults = 1 teaspoon)

Probiotic (Acidophilus)
These are the healthy bacteria that live in our intestines and regulate our immune system. To be taken on a continuous basis, but especially several weeks before/after vaccinations. For infants 6 months and older, probiotics can either be mixed into food or liquid as a powder. For older kids, it can be swallowed as small capsules or pearls. Also take with antibiotics. (Antibiotics kill the healthy bacteria and leaves the immune system vulnerable.)

Fruits and vegetables
Fruit, veggie, and berry supplements are available as chewables for children and as capsules for adults. Infants age one and older can also use adult capsules opened up into their food. The immune-boosting content of fruit, veggie, and berry supplements can really help prevent infectious diseases and may limit vaccine reactions. (Juice Plus, or similar product)

Vitamin A
Some researchers believe this plays a role in protecting the brain from vaccine side effects. Give Vitamin A once a day for 3 days prior to vaccines and continue each day for 10 days after. Infants = 1,500 IUs/daily. Toddlers/preschoolers = 2,500 IUs/daily. Older kids/teens = 5,000 IUs/daily. Commonly available in drops mixed with C and D for babies and young kids. Another choice is a liquid/chewable multivitamin. The best source of Vitamin A is cod liver oil (not for babies younger than 9 months). Overdosing Vitamin A can be toxic, so do not exceed the suggested amounts.

Vitamin C
Give this once a day for 5 days starting on the day of the shots. Infants = 150 mg/daily. Toddlers/preschoolers = 250 mg/daily. Older kids/teens = 500 mg/daily. The amount of Vitamin C in a multivitamin usually isn’t enough.

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Here is my friend's e-mail to me:

To make it a bit easier and to know the history over the past 9 months you can read it on my blog at jennielynnt.blogspot.com

The boys, Taylor and Spencer were diagnosed with Autism in September of last year. We have been doing the bio med treatment with them to get them to a recovered state. It is working and you can see some of the progress on my blog.

I add around a cup of Epson salts to their bath. (my note: Epson salts are a natural detoxer. I use a cup in every bath for the kids.) As for the cleanse we did what was called the Specific Carbohydrate Diet for 3 months with no dairy products or any of the foods that came back on their blood tests as foods to avoid. I then added in the dairy after 3 months. We did this diet for 6 months, but being prego with Connor made it difficult so I went just gluten free. We are now gluten and milk free. I do give the kids dairy products that have some kind of culture in them. It seems to make a difference in how their bodies handle the dairy. After the holidays the rest of us are going gluten free and I am taking the sugar out of the diet. I will use Agave nectar for our sweetener.

I do not believe that vaccinations are the total cause of Autism. I believe that they are a contributing factor, but in order for the onset of Autism to occur you have to have a number of things in line. My three youngest have food sensitivities that also contributed to the Autistic behavior. We also have a number of things on each side of the family that are markers that we now know to look for.

Cindy has Crohns and so does my aunt. My mom has some IBD. Darrin's mom is highly allergic to wheat and his father and brothers also have other allergies. His grandma is allergic to MSG and his Dad's father was an alcoholic which indicates chemical sensitivities. Darrin is very sensitive to medicine and other chemicals. I have allergies to food coloring and psoriasis, which is an auto immune disease. Taking all of this into consideration the field was ripe for our children to develop the Autism.

We are expecting our 5th at the end of October beginning of November. I have been taking Vitamin B and Fish Oil supplements to give this little guy a boost. He, being a boy, needed a bit more than a girl would have. Autism affects 1 in every 150 kids this number is growing and it affect 1 in every 90 boys.

This little one will not have any vaccinations until he is past the age of 3. The only reason we are doing this is because we do have Autism in the family. The boys were not vaccinated until they were 9 months and even with that they only had 11 of the shots. I think this is why our recovery has been so quick and effective....

I will also be trying to nurse this one for a year without other food supplementation. He will not be getting any oat cereal or rice cereal. When he does start solid food or needs more than just milk he will be getting organic veggies, meats and fruits. This is the diet that we have the kids on. It is meant to help heal up their guts. Most children with Autism have what is called a "leaky gut". This means that some of the proteins from the foods that are digested "leak" through the intestinal lining and cause problems. It is different foods for different kids. Even the boys had different things that affected them and they are identical. So to avoid the "leaky gut" we are just going to give this little guy the same things the kids eat.

This guy will also not get any Tylenol. The reason that Tylenol is lethal in overdose it because it depletes the GSH in the liver. GSH is the enzyme that your liver uses to rid the blood of toxins. Kids with Autism already have a depleted amount of GSH and this makes if difficult for them to eliminate toxins in their blood. This includes the heavy metals that they encounter not only in the vaccinations, but also in their daily environment. Vitamin B12 helps build up the GSH.