It was in a childbirth class that I first heard of the possible connection of vaccines to autism. Our hypnobirthing instructor had an autistic child and advised us of the association of autism and thimerosal—a mercury-containing preservative used in vaccines. I was pregnant with our first child, and was so rattled at the thought of allowing harm to my child through vaccines that I quickly began much research.
Through my research, I learned that there are various risks associated with vaccines and at least two theories as to how vaccines are related to autism. The first theory of the vaccine-autism link is that the ethylmercury in thimerosal has a toxic effect on the nervous system and triggers neurodevelopmental problems, including autism. The second theory is that the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine causes autism by either lodging in the intestines and triggering the release of toxins or stimulating the release of immune factors that damage the central nervous system.
Taking the information I learned through my research, I had to make a decision whether or not to vaccinate my child. In support of not vaccinating, I now knew that there were many parents, activists and researchers who were certain that autism was caused by vaccines. I also understood that there were other dangers associated with vaccines, such as allergic reactions, or yet unknown risks.
On the other hand, I also learned that the vast majority of the medical community completely disregards any vaccine-autism association. Moreover, I was reminded of the immense benefits that vaccines have provided. Unquestionable statistics tell us that before vaccines, every year in America, measles infected 4 million children and killed 3,000; diphtheria killed 15,000 people, rubella caused 20,000 babies to be born blind deaf, or mentally retarded, pertussis killed 8,000 children, and polio paralyzed 15,000 children and killed 1,000, and because of vaccines, all of these diseases have been completely or virtually eliminated from the United States. Importantly, vaccines not only protect the child that receives them, but they also protect the health of the community in which the child lives. One study in the Journal of American Medical Association found that those who did not receive the measles vaccine due to philosophical or religious reasons were 35 times more likely to contract measles and could potentially increase the incidence of measles in their community by as much as 30%. It is also worth noting that laws require students at public and private schools (including child care facilities and preschools) to be immunized against certain diseases, unless medically contraindicated or excused under certain religious exemptions (requirements may vary by state).
I am not a mother with an autistic child, or a child that has had a rare reaction to a vaccine. I cannot predict what my reaction may be if I was, but I am certain that I would be questioning the safety of vaccines and searching for answers. As it stands for me now, I understand that there are risks associated with vaccinating my children, but I choose to take those risks for several reasons. The first reason, quite honestly, is because that’s just what you do; the medical community recommends you do it, the majority of people do it, and so I too do it. Another reason is that I do not intend to home school my children and cannot, in good faith, argue a religious exemption for a choice not to vaccinate my children. Finally, the primary reason I choose to vaccinate my children is because I feel a responsibility not only to them, but to the community as a whole; I choose to protect my children and others in our community from the risks associated with not vaccinating them. If I chose not to vaccinate my children, they would probably be relatively safe from deadly diseases because the majority of Americans do vaccinate, but if we all chose not to vaccinate, the pre-vaccine statistics that I cited would again be our reality, and great numbers more children would die or become disabled from these deadly diseases than would have been adversely affected by vaccines.
About the Author: Corey lives in North-Central Massachusetts with her husband and two very healthy children. She is currently a stay-at-home mom who formerly practiced construction and environmental law as an attorney at a private firm.
