Protecting Our Kids: The Truth About Vaccines

I’m going to touch on a hot-button issue today that I know is very controversial - vaccines. Before I start, I want to clarify my position as an educator to avoid anyone reading anything into what I want to say about vaccines. As most of my listeners know, I base all my podcasts, books, workshops, programs, and courses on current research, best practice policies by leading health organizations such as the Centers for Disease Control, the World Health Organization, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the European Pediatric Association and a firm understanding of developmental pediatrics. I have no personal gripe with the medical establishment, holistic medicine, or scientific process. My position on vaccines as a PhD prepared researcher and certified pediatric nurse practitioner is guided by top-tier peer-reviewed scientific research and my knowledge of the dangers of childhood illnesses, such as diphtheria, polio, measles, rubella, that are prevented with vaccines. I have no agenda beyond wanting to give accurate, unbiased information so you can make the best decision for your child. So, if you have a different perspective on this issue, that is okay. A human right we all have is the right to use the information we choose to when making decisions. You may choose to use and trust different sources. The information that is going to be discussed here today is based on research that has been published in peer-reviewed journals, that has been replicated and validated multiple times. It is at your discretion to consider this information or ignore it. My goal is to share what is published in the scientific literature so you have the most up-to-date information available. 

With that said, I’ll continue... 

Research continues to confirm the findings of past studies showing that the measles, mumps, and rubella, or MMR, vaccine does not raise the risk of autism, even among children who are at increased genetic risk. These recent studies, plus miríada of multiple previous studies, have shown that there is no link between the MMR vaccine, nor any vaccine, and autism. 

Transcript

Hello and welcome to another episode of Proactive Parenting. Remember, this is a judgement-free space to learn how to raise value-driven kids in a way that is right for your family, using the most current scientific research out there. 

I’m your host, Dr. Deanna Marie Mason. I’m a certified pediatric nurse practitioner, published author, and a professional who has devoted my career to studying and using child development to help parents manage childhood issues. 

So, grab a cup of coffee or tea and settle in to learn something new about your child because when we know better, we do better. Remember, if you change, your child changes too. The solution to your problems resides in you. 

I’m going to touch on a hot-button issue today that I know is very controversial - vaccines. Before I start, I want to clarify my position as an educator to avoid anyone reading anything into what I want to say about vaccines. As most of my listeners know, I base all my podcasts, books, workshops, programs, and courses on current research, best practice policies by leading health organizations such as the Centers for Disease Control, the World Health Organization, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the European Pediatric Association and a firm understanding of developmental pediatrics. I have no personal gripe with the medical establishment, holistic medicine, or scientific process. My position on vaccines as a PhD prepared researcher and certified pediatric nurse practitioner is guided by top-tier peer-reviewed scientific research and my knowledge of the dangers of childhood illnesses, such as diphtheria, polio, measles, rubella, that are prevented with vaccines. I have no agenda beyond wanting to give accurate, unbiased information so you can make the best decision for your child. So, if you have a different perspective on this issue, that is okay. A human right we all have is the right to use the information we choose to when making decisions. You may choose to use and trust different sources. The information that is going to be discussed here today is based on research that has been published in peer-reviewed journals, that has been replicated and validated multiple times. It is at your discretion to consider this information or ignore it. My goal is to share what is published in the scientific literature so you have the most up-to-date information available. 

With that said, I’ll continue... 

Research continues to confirm the findings of past studies showing that the measles, mumps, and rubella, or MMR, vaccine does not raise the risk of autism, even among children who are at increased genetic risk. These recent studies, plus miríada of multiple previous studies, have shown that there is no link between the MMR vaccine, nor any vaccine, and autism. 

No well run research has ever concluded that the MMR vaccine is linked to autism. It’s important to remember that the small 1998 study that linked the MMR vaccine with autism was found to be fraudulent and was retracted from the literature** because the results were found to be falsified. And, the doctor who published that study was also stripped of his medical license***. You can view the literature related to these actions with the references at the end of the transcript of this podcast. 

Unfortunately, since the fraudulent study’s publication in 1998, vaccines have been under attack. The most common vaccine parents are afraid of is the MMR vaccine because the fraudulent study linked it to autism directly. And it’s normal that parents are concerned about autism, especially with the rising rate of diagnosis. While understandable that parents want a reason for their child developing autism, the literature just does not support the connection. Over and over, researchers have investigated the false association of the MMR vaccine to autism and ruled it out. Autism is not linked to the vaccine. More importantly, and helpfully, researchers are continuing to investigate other associations to discover the real cause of autism so that treatment and prevention can be initiated. 

What we currently know is researchers believe the rising rate of autism is related to a what they call a “triple hit” which includes a genetic predisposition and an environmental trigger that occurs during a certain period of time in brain development. That said, the MMR vaccine, or any other vaccine, has ever been identified as one of the environmental triggers. Researchers are looking at prenatal brain development as being the critical period of brain development – which is well before vaccines are introduced into a baby’s body. 

Much more research needs to be done to find out what is causing the exponential increase in autism diagnosis. Answers will only be found by using appropriate scientific methods, following information as it arises and discarding insignificant data. Correlation and causation are two very different things. In order to address the cause of autism, researchers have to follow the data and go through the painfully slow investigation process. While it’s hard to wait, we need to avoid the desire to spread fear by blaming common items or activities just to provide an “answer.” 

I completely understand and have empathy for parents with children affected by this disorder who want an answer. That only makes sense. We know that when we have an answer for why some children are autistic, that prevention and treatment methods become more precise and effective. However, erroneously blaming life-saving vaccines only leads us away from finding real answers and puts children’s lives at risk from other disease that are still dangerous and deadly, such as measles, pertussis, and diphtheria. 

In my personal and professional experience, most pediatric health care providers have an enormous passion for pediatric health. We care tremendously about our little patients and their families. The recommendation to vaccinate completely, and on time, is motivated by our desire to provide the best care for every patient and the communities in which they live. Vaccination prevents illnesses and death. Period. Not vaccinating puts patients at risk for very real illnesses. And it’s not just the illness that the vaccine protects from. Many of the diseases can leave lasting health complications, such as heart problems, the inability to bear children, or permanent changes to the skin even when we can manage the disease in the health care system. So while a disease may not kill a child, the secondary affects of the illness may linger throughout life. 

Vaccinating a child is a loving, health promoting act. There are few exceptions where it is unsafe to vaccinate a child. Unless a licensed healthcare provider directly instructs parents not to vaccinate, such as for a child going through chemotherapy related to a cancer diagnosis, it is usually recommended that all children be vaccinated fully and on-schedule. Putting a child at risk of numerous childhood illnesses for fear of a disorder that has not been linked to any vaccine by a well-designed, legitimate study is not logical. 

To be sure, our emotions can drive us to act irresponsibly. We love our children so much and want to do everything in our power to protect them. However, there are ways of dealing with those emotions in a positive way to avoid acting irresponsibly. Logical, responsible ways to confront strong emotions about vaccines and autism could include seeking information from reputable sources, talking with experts, or reading the solid research available on this topic. It’s also a good idea to remember that information on the Internet can be widely variable in terms of quality and trustworthiness. So, be sure to evaluate the reliability of the information you are reading. Make sure the person you are trusting has the correct education and experience to be have a qualified opinion on the subject you are looking at. 

The data is clear in recent publications showing that pediatric care providers, such as pediatricians and nurse practitioners, should be the most important source of vaccine information because online information is highly variable. If you would like to validate any of the information I have shared here, I invite you to look at trusted sources of vaccine information such as the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), National Institutes of Health (NIH), the World Health Organization (WHO) and the European Paedatric Association (EPA). You will find that each and every one of these groups is united in their trust of vaccines based on a large base of scientific data and recommend routine childhood vaccination globally. 

I’m aware of the importance vaccines, and this podcast was meant to address some of the common parental concerns I hear. My goal is that by encouraging you to look at the research from gold-standard sources, understanding that the link between autism and the MMR vaccine was related to a dishonest physicians fraudulent research that has been discredited, you can regain trust in an established and safe aspect of pediatric health care and consider the loving act of vaccinating your child fully and on schedule. 

In the end, the message of today’s episode is to vaccine your child for their health. If you are still unsure, please talk to a trusted health care provider to review information you are unclear about or look at the research that shows and validates safety. The more you understand the situation, the more confident you’ll feel about vaccinations, and dispel any doubts. 

I know this podcast is not going to sit well it’s some people, and that’s okay. We don’t all see the world the same and have different ways of looking at things. I hope that I’ve presented this information in a way that you felt was respectful and easy to understand. I always welcome comments from listeners, even when they are in disagreement with me. All I ask is that we keep everything civil and respectful. Dialog and discussion are a positive thing. So please reach out if you feel inclined to do so at deanna@proactiveparenting.com. I’ll wrap things up here and hope that this gave you some new information to consider on the topic of vaccines. If you’re interested in finding out more about who I am and what I do, please take a look at my webpage, proactiveparenting.com. 

You can also go to Facebook and Instagram to connect with other parents just like you. Find me by searching for my name - Deanna Marie Mason. Finally, if you would like to purchase any of my books about how to understand your teen, online courses, such as Newborn Care or Breastfeeding Bootcamp, or find links to my audio courses on eating, sleeping, playing, autonomy, and toilet training, you’ll find all those resources and more on my webpage, again that is proactiveparenting.com 

Thanks so much for listening, I hope you found this episode useful. If you did, please leave a comment and tell a friend so they can become a Proactive Parent too! 

Well, that’s all from me for right now. This is Dr. Deanna Marie Mason signing off. I look forward to connecting with you soon. Until then, take care and be well. 

Bye! 

**Godlee, F., Smith, J., & Marcovitch, H. (2011). Wakefield’s article linking MMR vaccine and autism was fraudulent. British Medical Journal 342: c7452. doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.c7452 

*** Burns, J. (2010). British medical council bars doctor who linked vaccine with autism. The New York Times, May 24, 2010. Retrieved: September 6, 2017 from http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/25/health/policy/25autism.html?mcubz=3