Ross Nutrition & Healing - on vaccines, thimerosal

[Guest guest]

Vaccines are a touchy subject in the alternative health world. And

the more I read about them -- and their shortcomings -- the more I

understand why. This time of year, the vaccine most of us have on

our minds is the ever-elusive flu shot. You know, the one that, in

the majority of cases, doesn't even work to prevent the illness it's

intended for? (For more on that, check out the December 2004 issue

of Nutrition & Healing).

But at least we have a choice as to whether or not we want to get

that flu shot. When it comes to most vaccines, the people getting

the shot don't have a say in the decision. That's because most

vaccines are given to children. In fact, before they even start

kindergarten, most children receive over 22 vaccinations. And most

parents don't question it because, well, it's just " what you do. "

Besides, if the pediatrician recommends it, it must be safe and

healthy, right?

Maybe not.

In the upcoming issue of Nutrition & Healing, Dr. has written

an article on some new research that shows a clear link between

vaccines (particularly the thimerosal that many of them contained up

until several years ago) and the increasing cases of autism in this

country. While natural medicine physicians have suspected this link

for quite some time, this research is the most conclusive evidence

supporting it.

And one of the worst offenders is the well-known measles, mumps,

rubella (MMR) vaccine.

Not only has it been linked to autism, but this vaccine also carries

another very serious threat: making cases of measles that do crop up

potentially much more lethal than they would otherwise be. You see,

if a child gets the measles between the ages of 4 and 8, the rash

and fever typically last for a few days and then the child makes a

full recovery. Along the way, he or she also acquires a very strong

anti-measles antibody response that prevents him or her from getting

the infection for a second time. This antibody response is so strong

that it actually lasts the child well into adulthood. And in girls,

that response is transferred to unborn children during pregnancy.

The baby is then " passively protected " from catching measles until

about age 4, and the cycle continues from there.

The MMR vaccine disrupts that natural cycle and leaves babies

without those natural antibodies against measles. And the infection

is much tougher on infants than it is on older children.

The good news is, there's a very simple solution. Research done in

the 1920s then repeated in the 1990s showed that a single dose of

vitamin A is all it takes to completely eliminate the risk of death

from measles. No vaccine required.

Of course, if you choose not to have your children vaccinated,

you're bound to face quite a bit of criticism, not to mention some

tough battles with your local school system. But don't let that

deter you from standing up for what you know is best for your child.

This is yet another -- and perhaps the most important -- instance of

exercising your rights to choose what health care decisions are in

your family's best interests. But whatever you decide, it's

absolutely critical for you to stay informed on ALL aspects of

pediatric health care, including vaccination.

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What is...thimerosal?

Thimerosal is a compound that was commonly used as a preservative in

many vaccines until the late 1990s because it has antifungal and

antiseptic properties. It contains roughly 50 percent mercury by

weight.

Yours in good health,

Ross

Editor Nutrition & Healing