Case renews debate on vaccine-autism link

[Wilson]

http://www.cnn.com/2008/HEALTH/03/05/autism.vaccines.ap/index.html

(AP) -- Government health officials have conceded that childhood vaccines worsened a rare, underlying disorder that ultimately led to autism-like symptoms in a Georgia girl, and that she should be paid from a federal vaccine-injury fund.

[IndianSpringsGuy]

The form I signed recently for a vaccination told me that shold something go wrong (and for this shot, it hasn't yet), I would be covered by that fund. I got a one-time Shingles vaccination that my insurance covered in full ($300). This is relatively new. I think it was introduced to the market last year.

[Wilson]

shold something go wrong (and for this shot, it hasn't yet), I would be covered by that fund.

Good luck collecting. I have hospital/physician documentation of injury and can't so much get the fund to cover therapies.

[momoftwo]

Wilson, would you mind elaborating or is it too personal?

[Wilson]

I'd be happy to talk about it next time I see you :).

[MomTimesFive]

We were afraid to have our kids vaccinated because a friend's daughter had a seizure and has not been okay ever since having a DTP vaccine. Another friend's daughter had some kind of vaccine that is required before starting junior high here, and she had nerve injury in her right arm and was unable to hold a pencil for about a year. The nurses at the doctor's office acted like we were crazy when we turned down certain vaccines. We loosened up a bit with the fourth and fifth kids, but I'm still nervous every time we go in for vaccines.

[msmichellemiller]

You know what? I have sometimes felt this 'intuition', if you will, to refuse vaccinations. Especially with all those my toddler has had to get in the last year. It seems like he's getting pumped full of more stuff than even my older children ever did. Dang, they wanna give him 2-3 vaccinations every well-visit, it seems! The only reason I have went ahead and consented anyway is because I figure you *have* to get your kid all their shots because when he starts school one day, they want his shot record. How does a parent get around this if they choose not to vaccinate? We have seen no damage or injury/side effects to date but I still get nervous and wonder if there will be anything long-term. I sure wish 'they' would do some more studies on this vaccination issue. Especially the one linking to Autism. I've read reports in the last year but they all seem inconclusive.

[Wilson]

The only reason I have went ahead and consented anyway is because I figure you *have* to get your kid all their shots because when he starts school one day, they want his shot record. How does a parent get around this if they choose not to vaccinate?

You do not have to vaccinate to put your kids in school. It's a common misconception. There are laws for exemptions and the exemptions are fairly easy to obtain.

http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/immunize/school/default.shtm#exclusions