Re: vaccines and Autism Speaks

[Guest guest]

FINALLY---thank you for posting this!!!!

Subject: vaccines and Autism SpeaksTo: ascc2 , GFCFKids , "autism-mercury" <Autism-Mercury >, mb12 valtrex , thoughtfulhousecenterforchildren , "cannon Chris" Date: Monday, January 25, 2010, 7:41 PM

http://www.ageofaut ism.com/2010/ 01/parents- vs-the-science- ask-geraldine- dawson-and- autism-speaks. html

Top 17 quotes from Autism Speaks’ Letter to the NVAC

1. “In the past several years, the prevalence of ASD has increased dramatically, underscoring the potential role of environmental factors in its etiology.â€

2. “Recent studies point to a key role of the immune system in the biology of ASD, raising questions about the effects of the significant immune challenges associated with vaccinations, particularly when delivered in combination and early in life.â€

3. “We believe that the question of whether immunization is associated with an increased risk for ASD is of extremely high priority.â€

4. “Still other studies point toward subgroups of children with ASD with genetic vulnerabilities than can amplify the adverse effects of environmental exposures, including vaccinations, on brain development and functionâ€

5. “There is a need to describe the nature and prevalence of vaccine adverse events in children with metabolic disorders and assess risk factors for these events.â€

6. “As mentioned in the draft scientific agenda, many key questions have not yet been adequately addressed. Many of the studies to date have relied on data from the Vaccine Adverse Effects Reporting System (VAERS). While this system has clear strengths such as its broad coverage, it nevertheless has substantial limitations (Ellenberg and Braun, Drug Safety, 2002). Because the system relies on passive selfâ€report, a major limitation is under†reporting such that only a small fraction of adverse events are reported. Furthermore, events that occur weeks following vaccination are less likely to be reported than those that are proximal to the vaccination.â€

7. “Many fundamental questions have not been addressed, such as whether the use of combination vaccines confers increased risk for adverse events and whether there are subgroups in the general population that are more vulnerable to serious adverse effects of vaccines, including ASD..â€

8. “Research has shown that children with metabolic disorders, including mitochondrial disorders, may experience neurological decline when physiologically challenged. There have been reports of metabolic crisis after receiving vaccinationsâ€

9. “As noted in the draft agenda, preliminary results from a VSD study underway found that children aged 12â€23 months who received MMRV vaccine were about 2 times more likely to have febrile seizures during the 7â€10 days after vaccination than children who received separate MMR and varicella vaccines at the same visit (CDC MMWR, 2008). In a populationâ€based study, there has been a report of an increased risk for ASD after infantile seizures during the first year of lifeâ€

10. “Studies that can address the current questions raised by parents are feasible. Clinical studies of individuals with ASD can address whether certain metabolic conditions associated with ASD are correlated with increased risk for serious adverse effects. Caseâ€control studies and randomized clinical trials can be conducted to address whether there are differences in adverse effects associated with a combination vaccine versus individually administered componentsâ€

11. “Fever after vaccination is common and can induce seizures in vulnerable childrenâ€

12. “For example, a recent study identified mutation in a sodium channel gene in children who developed encephalopathy after pertussis vaccines, suggesting that genetic factors may influence the risk for neurological deterioration after vaccinationâ€

13. “Children with metabolic diseases are at higher risk of health complications from diseases that are prevented by immunizationsâ€

14. “Such research could have wideâ€ranging effects on clinical practice/vaccinatio n policy. For example, it could allow pediatricians to identify subgroups of children who may benefit from a different vaccine schedule or for whom careful monitoring of adverse effects is warranted.â€

15. “Over the past decade, parental concerns, both in the general population and the autism community, over the possible link between immunization and increased risk for autism spectrum disorders (ASD) have only increased despite concerted and persistent efforts by the medical community to reassure the public about the safety of vaccines.â€

16. “It is Autism Speaks’ position that the best way to ensure that parents are confident in the safety of our vaccine program and, at the same time, protect the minority of children who may be at increased risk for serious adverse effects of vaccinations, is to foster collaborative, trusting relationships among the general public, the medical and scientific communities, and the federal government whose mandate it is to conduct research on the safety of vaccines.â€

17. “Establishing and maintaining a trusting relationship and providing answers to parents’ questions cannot be achieved by one set of studies addressing one set of questions, but rather it will require an onâ€going process of scientific discovery as medical science continues to uncover individual differences that predict differential responses to vaccines and other medical interventions. We need to embrace our obligation to address new questions with an open mind, adequate resources, and renewed commitment.â€