But if immunizations were good for patients, they wouldn?t need to be mandated by government. After all, doctors don?t need the government to insist they treat patients for cancer or high blood pressure. But doctors seem to need the government to insist they give vaccinations. And because the government insists, it becomes responsible. So far, Washington has shelled out $1.5 billion to compensate children injured or killed by vaccinations.
Some pediatricians probably will dislike Dr. Miller?s schedule. After all, the Centers for Disease Control insists that children ?can safely receive all vaccines recommended for a particular age during one visit.? But the government?s definition of ?safe? differs from most parents? definition.
?Health officials consider a vaccine to be safe if no bad reactions -- like seizures, intestinal obstruction, or anaphylaxis -- occur acutely,? Dr. Miller writes. In other words, if a child doesn?t get sick within a few weeks, the vaccine is considered safe.
But there?s been no long-term study of the possible effects of vaccinations. Meanwhile, as the number of shots administered over the years has increased, so has the occurrence of serious developmental disorders, including autism and ADHD.
That anecdotal evidence doesn?t bother everyone. A few months ago, my child?s psychiatrist told me, ?I?m 100 percent certain that autism isn?t caused by vaccinations.? In fact, he added, about three quarters of psychiatrists aren?t even convinced there?s been a spike in autism; they say we?re just getting better at diagnosing it.
Parents of autistic children know better. Today, one in every 68 American families has an autistic child. It?s an epidemic, and something caused it. We must find out what.
A 2001 study from the Institute of Medicine Immunization?s Safety Review Committee claimed that vaccines are generally safe. But even that report admitted, ?Further research on the possible occurrence of Autism Spectrum Disorder in a small number of children subsequent to MMR vaccination is warranted.?
That?s medical-ese for ?further study is needed.?
We ought to use the vaccine shortage to create a control group and finally do that research. Because if all these shots are contributing to life-long conditions like autism, then they?re more dangerous than the diseases they purport to protect us against.