I’m completely lost on the topic.

So far, Ethan is on the regular childhood immunization schedule outlined by the American Academy of Pediatrics. Despite the fact that he was born prematurely, Ethan has had:

1. Two Heb B shots, one at birth, and another at one month old.
2. Two DTaP shots, one at two months, and another at four months.
3. One Hib shot at two months.
4. One Polio shot at four months.

I don’t know what to think of the pros and cons of the current vaccination schedule simply because I’ve only started reading up on it. All I know right now is that children today get twice as many shots as kids did in the 80s. Then there’s the rate of children diagnosed with autism increasing threefold. (Both statements found on this recent article in TIME). Is there a link? Do the types and number of shots given cause autism in some children? Or has the number of cases of autism increased because more and more families are coming forward?

I suppose this is the current great debate that has no hard scientific evidence of one way or the other. Which, frankly, sucks because as parents, it’s not as if we already don’t have very important things on our plates. We put more than enough effort to raise happy, healthy, and kind children (or at least that what we strive for). Then we have to make decisions on whether or not to give our children these medications in order to prevent certain illnesses. Oh, and by the by, those medications may cause a brain development disorder that can impair our children’s social behavior and communication skills. No pressure, right? Riiiiiiight.

A friend recommended the Vaccine Book by the Sears people. I tried to look for it at Barnes & Noble today, but they were sold out. (Hmm, I guess that’s a good sign.) In it is a recommendation of an alternative schedule to the one put out by the AAP. I’m really interested in checking this out, so I may just have to order the book online.

Filed by Maria in baby, health