I choose to research and discuss the topic of immunization. I choose this topic for several reasons, one of which is because working with young children and the increased discussions over whether immunizations where the cause of increase cases of autism and because my son had a severe allergic reaction to his three year old immunization. Therefore, I found this topic and this research to have a personal meaning for me.
According to the CDC immunization and vaccinations has side effects from mild to severe. Also according to the CDC getting diphtheria, tetanus or pertussis disease is much riskier than getting DTaP vaccine. Side effects range from fever and redness around the vaccination site to rare but severe side effects such as seizures, comma and permanent brain damage. According to the National Survey of Children’s Health, one in 91 American children has an autism spectrum disorder. Thirty years ago, it was one in 2,500. Rates of other neurological and immunological disorders affecting children have skyrocketed as well. Today, learning disabilities affect approximately one in six kids, and asthma one in nine.
I choose the research immunization in Mexico and according to my readings a survey/research was completed in 1990 and Mexico’s mortality rate was 46 per 1,000 live births and its progress in reducing the mortality rate to 28 per 1,000 live births in 2004 has been well-documented with increased immunization. However, prior to researching this topic I would have figured that Mexico’s mortality would be more, so this was an eye opening fact.
References: http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/
Betty,
ReplyDeleteThe topic of Immunizations are very interesting. I was able to take the time to refer to both of the resources you used. The website for CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)provided a lot of interesting information for vaccines and immunizations. I was able to furthur explore the Pertusis (whopping cough)vaccine, DTaP used during childhood for prevention, and Tdap used during adolescents and adulthood as a booster to continue to protection.
The debate about autism related to vaccinations has been long going. Based on what I have learned in trainings, the link between vaccines and autism has not been entirely ruled out. It has however been ruled out for Wakefield's theory. I have spoken with a child neurologist who specializes in autism and he believes that the vaccines may be triggering an auto immune response. There is a very high correlation between receiving vaccinations and symptoms of autism appearing. Correlation does not necessarily imply causation but certainly at these high of rates should be examined. I should say doctors that I have spoken with believe that although the vaccine may be triggering an auto immune response it does not mean that if you do not get the vaccine you will never end up with autism. Many of them said the possibility might be that later on in life they will be exposed to a certain virus or high fever that could trigger the auto immune response.
ReplyDeleteOf course this is just another one of those theories kicking around...
The following link is very informative about Wakefield’s report in the New England Journal of Medicine in 1989 linking Measles/Mumps/Rubella vaccinations to Autism.
http://www.bmj.com/content/342/bmj.c7452.full