AskDrSears - The Vaccine Book

New Study Shows Possible Link Between Environmental Mercury and Autism – What About Vaccine Mercury?

Tuesday, April 29, 2008

Researchers at the University of Texas showed that the closer a family lives to a power plant or industrial facility, the higher the risk of autism. Autism rates decreased by 1 to 2 percent for every 10 miles that a child lives away from such mercury sources. They also found that for every 1000 pounds of mercury released by such facilities, autism rates in the surrounding area increased by 2.6 to 3.7 percent.

Many researchers believe that the most likely reason for the increase in autism is some sort of combination of genetic susceptibility and environmental chemical exposure. This study adds credibility to that theory.

Even though mercury was removed from virtually all vaccines in 2002, parents who had their children vaccinated prior to 2003 are worried if vaccine mercury could have harmed their child. Many studies have shown that no harm was done from vaccine mercury. Some studies do show a possible link between the mercury and autism and other problems (See Resources in The Vaccine Book).

What does this issue mean for parents who are vaccinating their infants and children now? First, 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.

As long as a parent knows to avoid these sources of mercury, you can get the entire routine childhood vaccine schedule 100% mercury-free. There is a flu shot that is 100% mercury-free. Two brands of DTaP don’t contain any mercury. And the plain tetanus and diphtheria/tetanus shots that do contain mercury aren’t part of the normal vaccine schedule. So, when it comes to making vaccine decisions, you can take any fears of mercury out of the equation.

Click here to read more on this story out of the University of Texas.

Labels: Vaccines and Autism

Larry King Show Continues to Raise Questions About Vaccines and Autism

Thursday, April 3, 2008

Last night’s show was a great mix of pro-vaccine doctors, doctors who have some concerns about vaccines, and parents who are demanding a different vaccine schedule. While everyone on both sides had good things to say, as expected there really was no conclusion reached and most parents are still probably just as confused as ever.

I’ve looked at all the research, and I’m still confused as well. There is no clear answer on whether or not vaccines contribute to autism. But there is one thing that is very clear – more research needs to be done. Well, make that two things – more and more parents are going to decline vaccines unless they are offered an alternative vaccine schedule.

So, while the scientists, doctors, government officials, and parents battle it out over the next couple of decades, here’s what YOU, the concerned and confused parent with a little baby waiting for vaccines, can do NOW. Educate yourself about all the pros and cons of vaccines, understand the risk of diseases versus the rare risk of a vaccine side effect, look at all the research that does exist so far, and when you do decide you are comfortable beginning shots, vaccinate according to my Alternative Vaccine Schedule or my Selective Vaccine Schedule.

I do believe change is in the wind, but it may be a very gentle breeze that takes many years to fill the sails (nice metaphor, huh? Or is that a simile? Never could get that straight. Maybe it’s an analogy). For now, I encourage parents to follow one of my suggested vaccine schedules.

Labels: Alternative Vaccine Schedule

Dr. Bob Sears Offers Advice in March 21st New York Times Health Section on Vaccine Choices Parents Make

Thursday, March 27, 2008

The recent measles outbreak (if you can call it that) in San Diego last month, in which twelve children came down with the illness after an unvaccinated family brought the disease back with them from Switzerland, raises awareness of a growing trend among families to decline certain vaccines.

This article raises the question, should parents have the right to decline vaccines when doing so may put the health and safety of other children at risk? In twenty states of our free nation, parents are allowed to decline vaccine for personal reasons. But in 28 states they must have a religious reason, and two states (West Virginia and Mississippi) don’t allow parents to decline them for any reason.

I believe our nation can tolerate a certain percentage of unvaccinated children without risking the overall public health in any significant way. Since most children are vaccinated, our nation has enough “herd immunity” to contain outbreaks like this one. However, in the San Diego case, some infants caught measles before they were old enough to even be vaccinated. Fortunately, all cases passed without complications, as is usually the case with measles.

So the question is, are unvaccinated parents putting the rest of our children at risk? Maybe a little. But in my opinion parents SHOULD have the right to make health care choices for their children. They should not be forced into vaccinating if they feel strongly against it.

Click here to read the whole New York Times story.

Dr. Bob

Labels: Vaccine News