Vaccinations

Traditionally, Eva would get the MMR (Measles, Mumps, & Rubella) at this age, but I opted to have them given separately, per the recommendations of DAN (Defeat Autism Now). Since my brother's oldest son is autistic, it's an issue that is close to home. While Autism is assumed to genetically run in families, no one really knows what causes it, or is positively sure what environmental triggers are involved. (His condition has dramatically improved by following a strict gluten-free, casein-free diet, because his symptoms are largely attributed to a permeable intestinal tract, or "leaky gut").

It took me awhile to find a pediatrician who was willing to work with my concerns, rather than dismiss them, but she is worth her weight in gold!  For the past several years there has been a lot of controversy surrounding the suspected connection between mercury poisoning and Autism (one of the reasons pregnant women and children are told to minimize their consumption of fish).  Most of the publicity has surrounded Thimerosal, a mercury-based preservative often used in vaccinations. The theory was that if you added up all the grams of Thimerosal contained in the number of vaccinations an infant receives, it could potentially equal toxic mercury levels in the baby's system.

Although the damage has not been conclusively proven, the suspected connection to Autism has been enough for parents to take notice and demand change. The issue has been so hotly debated that the use of Thimerosal in vaccines was largely eliminated (except in flu shots) a few years ago. Although not enough studies have been done to satisfy either camp of thought, DAN recommends an alternative vaccination schedule with Thimerosal-free vaccines, as a precaution. Even so, some parents are concerned enough to refuse vaccinations altogether, trusting that if their child does catch one of these diseases, their bodies are designed to build natural immunity. The rates of death and disability still caused by these diseases in areas of the world where they are still common, coupled with the influx of unvaccinated immigrants pouring across our border, were enough to convince me of the need to have Eva immunized. I'm just being more cautious about it.