Mullen, J. (2015, April 22). Another study finds no link between MMR vaccine and
ID: 123763 • Letter: M
Question
Mullen, J. (2015, April 22). Another study finds no link between MMR vaccine and autism. CNN. Retrieved from http://www.cnn.com/2015/04/22/health/mmr-vaccine-autism-study/. Then, read the following scenario and respond to the three questions in your initial discussion post. Molly Wilson brings Jenny, her 2-year-old daughter, in for a follow up appointment after an antibiotic-treated otitis media infection. You ask Molly if Jenny is up-to-date on her vaccination schedule. Molly states that she and her husband have discussed vaccines and they have decided to not get Jenny vaccinated because they fear she will develop autism. Jenny has never had a vaccination. What would you say to a parent who is afraid to vaccinate their child for fears of autism? How would you alleviate this parent’s fear that autism is associated with vaccines? A week later, Molly returns with Jenny and states that after a discussion with her husband, they do want to get Jenny vaccinated after all. You realize that Jenny will have to catch up with her 2-year-old peers. Read the vaccine schedule from the CDC for children up to 18 years (PDF), paying close attention to the catch-up schedule. Explain how you would vaccinate Jenny to catch up with other 2-year-olds.
Explanation / Answer
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex developmental disability; signs typically appear during early childhood and affect a person’s ability to communicate, and interact with others. Parents usually notice signs in the first two years of their child's life ASD is defined by a certain set of behaviors and is a “spectrum condition” that affects individuals differently and to varying degrees. There is no known single cause of autism. Autism is caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Some of the behaviors associated with autism include delayed learning of language; difficulty making eye contact or holding a conversation; difficulty with executive functioning, which relates to reasoning and planning; narrow, intense interests; poor motor skills’ and sensory sensitivities.
Vaccination cause autism in children was a myth started with an elaborate fraud study. There are various studies that prove that there is no link between vaccination and autism in children.
The parents concerned about potential vaccine link with autism should be explained about the autism spectrum disorder and it symptoms. Backing the discussion with real study facts and real medical cases that could have been prevented with vaccination. The discussion should be terminated by explaining the benefits of vaccination and insisting on vaccinating the child as early as possible.
Vaccine
Minimum age for dose 1
Minimum interval between doses
Dose 1 – dose 2
Dose 2 – Dose 3
Dose 3-Dose 4
Dose 4 –Dose 5
Hepatitis B
At birth
4 weeks
8 weeks
Diphtheria, tetanus, and acellular pertussis3
6 weeks
4 weeks
4 weeks
6 months
6 months
Haemophilus influenzae type b
6 weeks
No further dose
-
-
-
Pneumococcal
6 weeks
No further dose for healthy children if first dose was administered at age 24 months.
-
-
-
Inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV)
6 weeks
4 weeks
4 weeks
6 months
Measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR)
12 months
4 weeks
-
-
-
Varicella (VAR)
12 months
3 months
-
-
-
Hepatitis A (HepA)
12 months
6 months
-
-
-
Vaccine
Minimum age for dose 1
Minimum interval between doses
Dose 1 – dose 2
Dose 2 – Dose 3
Dose 3-Dose 4
Dose 4 –Dose 5
Hepatitis B
At birth
4 weeks
8 weeks
Diphtheria, tetanus, and acellular pertussis3
6 weeks
4 weeks
4 weeks
6 months
6 months
Haemophilus influenzae type b
6 weeks
No further dose
-
-
-
Pneumococcal
6 weeks
No further dose for healthy children if first dose was administered at age 24 months.
-
-
-
Inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV)
6 weeks
4 weeks
4 weeks
6 months
Measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR)
12 months
4 weeks
-
-
-
Varicella (VAR)
12 months
3 months
-
-
-
Hepatitis A (HepA)
12 months
6 months
-
-
-
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