My son started to talk when he was one year old. I was so excited when he first said "Mama" that I recorded the date in his baby book. He received his first MMR vaccine a few days later, and did not say Mama again-or any other words for more than two years.

Scientifically, his experience proves nothing, but something changed, and I hear the same story from many parents who bring their children to me. As a naturopathic physician focusing on Autism Spectrum Disorders, the issue of vaccines comes up daily. I have been researching the connection between vaccination and autism since my son was diagnosed with the condition eight years ago. Parents face a difficult decision when deciding what's best for their child's health: Should I vaccinate or not vaccinate my child? Giving vaccinations to babies and children is a bit like playing Russian roulette.

We don't know which children will have negative reactions. Approximately 60 percent of the children in my practice who have been diagnosed with autism had a significant negative behavioural reaction to one or more immunizations. All of them regressed in areas such as speech, communication, social interaction, eye contact and imaginative play.

The reactions following vaccinations can be immediate and intense, such as high fevers, pain and seizures. In other instances, there are more subtle changes such as poor sleep, irritability, behaviour changes and bowel problems. Some children seem to "slip away," leaving parents confused and panicked. Such cases are strictly anecdotal evidence of the side effects of vaccination, but this doesn't make the effects any less painful for the families involved.

One shot, many possible effects
The "one shot fits all" approach is the most efficient method for our healthcare system to achieve its objective of mass immunization. However, it does not take into account the individual child's health or their body's ability to handle multiple viruses, preservatives and toxins. Health authorities tell parents that the risk of injury or death from a vaccine is much less than if their child contracts the real disease. However, vaccines themselves may create a new chronic or debilitating condition. The longterm effects of vaccines on children's developing brains, nervous, digestive and immune systems have yet to be determined.

Environmental contaminants normally enter our system through air, water or food, which gives the body a chance to detoxify them before they enter circulating blood. The route of entry for vaccinations is by injection, which bypasses several natural protective mechanisms. The viral elements, chemicals and neurotoxins, therefore, have direct access to the blood, organs and brain.

Infants have immature immune systems and a leaky blood-brain barrier, which may allow viruses and chemicals to have profound impacts. A sensitive immune system can overreact to viral insults early in life and may cause an autoimmune reaction. This is commonly seen in children with autism, who develop damaging antibodies against vital brain and nerve cell components. Children who react negatively to inoculations can suffer from recurring viral-type illnesses with fevers, vomiting or rashes. Persistent digestive problems can also occur. Studies have found vaccine-strain viruses in some autistic children with chronic infections and inflammatory bowel conditions.

The current recommendation is to give 31 inoculations by 18 months of age. The vaccines contain known toxins that are especially poisonous to the brain and nervous system. They may include thimerosal (mercury), aluminum, 2- phenoxyethanol (found in anti-freeze), formaldehyde, and polyethylene glycol. Mercury and aluminum are heavy metals that can cause biochemical chaos by blocking proper enzyme functioning, impairing detoxification, interfering in DNA processes, causing mineral deficiencies, and killing nerve cells. Additional substances present in immunization cocktails that could induce adverse or allergic responses include monosodium glutamate, sorbitol, neomycin, polymyxin, polysorbate 80, gelatin, fetal bovine serum and egg proteins.

Effects unknown
Health Canada oversees vaccination issues but does not do any direct testing. They rely on clinical research provided by the vaccine companies. According to the Health Canada Immunization Guide, "Pre-marketing vaccine studies do not have sufficient numbers of subjects to detect rare adverse events," and, "All potential target populations have not been fully studied prior to (being given) marketing approval." In addition, there has been no testing of multiple vaccine interactions; therefore the cumulative effects to a child is unknown. In other words, limited research is done before a vaccine is added to the immunization schedule for use on the general public. Children have become the research subjects.

In Canada, reporting of vaccine reactions relies largely on a voluntary system called Canadian Adverse Event Following Immunization Surveillance System (CAEFISS), where healthcare providers send information about patient reactions. Underreporting and medical bias are significant flaws in the system. Public access to the database is not currently available in Canada, but the US Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System (VAERS) can be found online.

Vaccination is not mandatory in Canada; however many parents feel pressure from healthcare providers to routinely vaccinate their children. Most conventional information on vaccines is one-sided and does not include all of the possible risks. I encourage parents to thoroughly weigh both sides of the vaccination question, and make an informed decision on this important health issue.

Dr. Anita Bratt, BSc, ND is a professional HANS member and naturopathic doctor practicing in Vancouver, BC. She has a family practice focused on Autism Spectrum Disorder and ADHD. Call (604) 736-3800 or visit www.drbratt.com.

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