Should my child have the MMR vaccination?
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Introduction
Should my child have the MMR vaccination? (Source wikepedia) Introduction Why is this question even being considered? The above graph shows that when the vaccine was licensed, there was a sudden drop in reported cases of RUBELLA, MUMPS and MEASELS. So why is this question being asked? In February 1998 research led by Dr Wakefield is the first to suggest that the MMR vaccine might be linked to an increased risk of autism and bowel disorders. MMR stands for MUMPS MEASELES AND RUBELLA. The MMR the injection of immunity against measles mumps and rubella it is given to a child around the age of one with a booster dose before starting school. If a child catches any of the diseases he is isolated from school. If the mother has been protected then the baby will have the mother's antibodies and is already immune. How does a vaccine work? Step 1 Small amount of disease MOs are put into your body. Dead or inactive forms are used so you don't get the disease itself. Sometimes just parts of the MOs are used. Step 2 White blood cells recognise the foreign MOs. They make the right antibodies to stick to the MOs. Step 3 The antibodies make the MOs clump together. White blood cells digest the clump. Step 4 If you meet the real disease MO, the antibodies you need are made very quickly. ...read more.
Middle
The difficulty in understanding what others are saying can cause great confusion. They may see or hear a person talking, and although every word has been heard, they fail to grasp the meaning of what has been said. A child with autism may be perfectly happy one moment, but all of a sudden become sad or angry, or even have a tantrum. This may be because they can't tell people what they want. Taking the wrong turning or a certain noise could trigger this reaction, or simply parking the car on the wrong side of the road. The fact is, it could be any number of things, For the parent or carer of the autistic person finding the cause can be a long slow process. (If not at times impossible) A lack of communication can lead to frustration and confusion both for the autistic person and for the people around them. Many people with autism have ritualistic behaviour, insistence on routine and sameness. An autistic person may be perfectly happy to go to a familiar shop, but take them to a different shop to buy the same item, and they may become frustrated, withdrawn, and even fearful. An unfamiliar space or routine no longer feels safe or secure. The autistic person can find it very difficult to relate from one situation to another. ...read more.
Conclusion
As no real breakthrough has been made it is difficult to say for certain that the MMR vaccine has caused the rise in Autism disease. The debate for autism against MMR has been feuding up for a long time. The BBC website explicitly states there is no link. 'Scientists say they have strong evidence that the MMR vaccination is not linked to a rise in Autism'. New scientist reports show that the autism rate kept rising after the withdrawal of MMR. 'Its "rubbish" the link between MMR and a general rise in autism.' They say that the increase in Autism mirrors the introduction of the MMR. But can this not just be coincidence? Why is the fact that a vaccine is linked to autism being considered? If giving millions of people a vaccine, to protect them against a widespread disease, is for their benefit, by isolating any outbreaks. Nobody really is sure about what the exact cause of autism is. Okay, I have weighed both sides of the argument. I have come to the conclusion that your child should have the MMR vaccination! Why? Simple it protects them against MUMPS, MEASELS AND RUBELLA. It puts them out of risk of any potentially dangerous outbreaks, and I am happy enough with the research I have obtained to say that there is no link between MMR and autism. It seems to have been a small concern that has now been outweighed with research from scientists around the world. ...read more.
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