PSL mom questions child vaccinations

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MATTHEW RATAJCZAK

staff photographer

At their home in Port St. Lucie, Dorothy Scalco works on a home-school lesson

with her 8-year-old autistic son, Donovan. After years of research on vaccines

and autism, Scalco believes Donovan's disease was caused by the high levels of

mercury injected into her son through common vaccines. In her attempt to inform

parents and the general public on the issue, she works with the Florida chapter

of the Autism Autoimmunity Project, speaking on a regular basis to different

groups.

PSL mom questions child vaccinations

By Friend

correspondent

December 28, 2004

Dorothy Scalco, a mother of three from Port St. Lucie, has become an advocate

for vaccine reform since her son, Donovan, developed autism - a condition she

thinks was caused by a double dose of the MMR shot he received when he was 18

months old.

After watching her son go from being a " perfectly normal toddler " to having

night tremors and auditory sensitivities - he is disturbed by even the slightest

sounds, such as a fly buzzing in the living room - Scalco said there is not much

anyone from the medical community could say to convince her that the benefits of

vaccines outweigh the risks.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention acknowledges on its Web site that

some vaccines can have side effects, which may include slight fever, rash or

soreness at the site of injection. The CDC also notes that serious reactions can

occur, albeit in extremely rare cases. However, " after decades of vaccine use in

the United States, current research shows no reliable evidence proving that

vaccines cause chronic illness " such as autism, diabetes, Crohn's disease or

cancer, the Web site states.

Since Donovan's regression, however, it has been Scalco's mission to tell her

story to as many parents as possible. And this year's decision by the CDC to

recommend flu shots for children younger than 2 has added fuel to the fire.

" I think the anger and disappointment are what drive me, " she said. " Donovan's

my godsend. He's why I do this. "

Spreading the word

Scalco regularly lectures with the Florida chapter of The Autism Autoimmunity

Project, a non-profit organization. Most of her lectures are given to groups of

moms at chiropractors' offices, and she has also presented information at

autism, natural health and chiropractic conventions outside the state.

When she lectures on the topic, she tells parents: " Here's the information,

here's the facts. Go home and read it and make an informed decision. I know what

it's like to be a new mom with a new baby, and you want to protect them from all

these evil things. I understand what it feels like, and I know what it feels

like to say no. It goes against everything you've been taught. It's a tough nut

to swallow. "

Scalco is part of a growing number of parents who have begun to question the

necessity and safety of the number of vaccines recommended for children - up to

26 are now recommended before a child reaches the age of 2.

The CDC, as well as the American Academy of Pediatrics, say all of the vaccines

are safe and urge that all children receive all of the shots. In fact, the CDC

recently put children under the age of 2 on its priority list of people who

should receive the now-scarce flu shot.

Risk vs. benefit

The CDC takes the risks associated with both chicken pox and the flu very

seriously, according to CDC spokesman Curtis , who said not getting

children vaccinated puts them and the rest of the community in grave danger.

said that last year, 120 people died from chicken pox and 152 from the

flu. This year, flu shots were put on the list of recommended vaccines for

children between the ages of 6 months and 23 months.

" The flu may not sound that serious, but it's pretty serious for at least those

152 (people). For most children, chicken pox is not serious, but there are a

number of children for who it can be very serious, " said.

Dr. Jampol, a father of two, has been practicing pediatric medicine in

Port St. Lucie for 10 years. He, too, is a strong advocate of vaccines.

" The most difficult thing about vaccines is their own success. People forget

what those vaccines accomplished when those diseases were present. The vaccines

are so effective. "

" The bottom line, even if one of those side effects were proven to be linked to

vaccines, it is in such rare occasions. The benefits of vaccines far outweigh

the risks. "

Jampol added that he is sympathetic to parents' apprehension over vaccines and

will agree to not vaccinate a child as long as the parents sign a form that

says, " I understand the risks of not having my child vaccinated. "

" I try not to be the boss of the situation, I want to be part of a team. ...

But, I usually try to talk them into it later on. "

Misled by fear

Rainer of Fort Pierce is another mother who could not be convinced. The

mother of six says she is disturbed that parents are often persuaded into

getting their children vaccinated for illnesses that she believes could be

treated with something as simple as a healthy diet.

She recalls a visit she made this summer to the County School Board

offices, where she saw a brochure promoting the chicken pox vaccine. The

brochure displayed pictures of babies with boils on their faces.

" My children have all had chicken pox. None of them had it like that, " she said.

" I mean, I had the mumps when I was a kid. I didn't die. "

Rainer thinks telling parents it is necessary to get their children vaccinated

for illnesses such as the flu and chicken pox is misleading.

" If you have a healthy immune system, you can fight these things off. I believe

in good nutrition and eating healthy to be healthy. And, I do believe it's as

easy as that, " Rainer said.

For parents who think other vaccines, such as measles, mumps, rubella and polio,

are not necessary because they are for diseases that are no longer around,

encourages them to consider that those diseases are not prevalent today thanks

to the vaccines' success.

If the number of people vaccinated in the U.S. drops below 90 percent, there

could potentially be an outbreak, said.

" It's important that we keep as high a level as possible. You're not only

protecting the individual child, you're protecting the whole community through

what is known as 'community immunity' or 'herd immunity,' " said. " The

larger the number of people vaccinated, the less likely an outbreak. "

Recommended vaccines for children

Hepatitis B - 3 doses

Hib - 4 doses

Polio - 4 doses

DTaP - 5 doses

Pneumococcal - 4 doses

Measles, Mumps,

Rubella (MMR) - 2 doses

Varicella (chicken pox) - 1 dose

Hepatitis A - 2 doses

Influenza - 1 dose every flu season

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

On the Web

www.909shot.com

www.cdc.gov

www.vaccines.com

www.immunize.org

www.vaccineinfo.net

www.vaclib.org

www.mothering.com

Copyright 2004, TCPalm. .

DEFINITION * TREATMENT * PREVENTION

Autism is 1 in 150 children today, 1 in 68 families! TAAP (The Autism

Autoimmunity Project) is a non-profit charity dedicated to obtaining funding for

independent research into the cause, treatment and prevention of autism and

other autoimmune disorders. Please visit our new website at

http://www.TAAP.info and " TAAP into the Truth! "

[Guest guest]

Re: Autism and children with mercury vaccine issues. Dr. Buttar can attest

to mercury poison and autism. He provided compelling testimony to Congress,

before Congressman Dan Burton's committee in May 2004. He also provides

chelation therapy for children with Autism with positive results.

Virginia. I am able to provide additional information to anyone interested.