Dear Editor, I was curious after reading the opinion on vaccines and autism by Natasha Stephenson in the 7/24 Banner.The link she gave didn't work but I was able to find a site that lists 100 research projects which prove a link — so I dug in.The 1st related to vaccines with thimerosal, which is not used in pediatric vaccines, and rarely in adult. It had little to do with the current spectrum of vaccines children get, and adults can ask their doctor for thimersosal-free vaccines. The study was from 91 to 97. It concludes high doses of thimerosal in the first month of life increases risk of neurological impairment. The CDC reports "Since 2001, with the exception of some influenza (flu) vaccines, thimerosal is not used as a preservative in routinely recommended childhood vaccines. Parents can request thimerosal-free vaccines. The 2nd study reported some adverse results for the Hepatitus B vaccination when given in the first month of life.The 3d study found a correlation of frequency of vaccines with aluminum as preservative and ADS. But as aluminum is used more and more industry and common household products, the causal link is problematic. For instance there is also a correlation of autism and increased use of GMO foods, which contain the carcinogenic glyiphosate residues. The 4th study speculates that AL in vaccines may have a role in causing ADS but it states: "Over the last 200 years, mining, smelting, and refining of aluminum (Al) in various forms have increasingly exposed living species to this naturally abundant metal. Because of its prevalence in the earth’s crust, prior to its recent uses it was regarded as inert and therefore harmless. However, Al is invariably toxic to living systems and has no known beneficial role in any biological systems. Humans are increasingly exposed to Al from food, water, medicinals, vaccines, and cosmetics, as well as from industrial occupational exposure. Al disrupts biological self-ordering, energy transduction, and signaling systems, thus increasing biosemiotic entropy. Beginning with the biophysics of water, disruption progresses through the macromolecules that are crucial to living processes (DNAs, RNAs, proteoglycans, and proteins). It injures cells, circuits, and subsystems and can cause catastrophic failures ending in death. Al forms toxic complexes with other elements, such as fluorine, and interacts negatively with mercury, lead, and glyphosate. Al negatively impacts the central nervous system in all species that have been studied, including humans." (Note glyphosate, which is present in nearly 97% of all meat consumed in the US, through GMO feedstock, and is present in most soy and corn and other foods)Study 5 looked at the blood of Egyptian children with lead and mercury in their system. This study did not look at mercury, or lead, alone in the system, so its conclusions (that lead and mercury together) lead to an increase in autistic symptoms is problematic, since lead, alone is a well known, neurotoxin, and of course, except for the flu shot which parents can get mercury free, childhood vaccines in the US do not contain thimerosal.Study 6 found "an inappropriate antibody response to MMR, specifically the measles component thereof, might be related to pathogenesis of autism."I do not have the patience to go further but out of these 6 studies, none proves vaccines cause autism, and the issue of mercury can easily be addressed, as indicated, and studies of vaccines in the first month of life do not prove anything about vaccines given later. These studies do raise concerns, however, and more study is indicated.I would certainly suggest that children never be given vaccines with mercury (i.e. ask for mercury free flu shots if given) and not in the first few months of life. The California law does not require vaccines until the child is ready for public school.The CDC recommends only one vaccine (HepB) in the first month and there is no law that requires it this early. Kids can get vaccines at any age. Vaccines can be waived with a doctor's recommendation but research shows that children with vaccine exemptions are 35 times more likely than others to contract measles. The law requires vaccines for 10 diseases to attend schools. I am 74, have not had a shot in over 60 years, and have no vested interest one way or the other, except I want our children and population to be safe from disease. I think we need more research. However, fears of mercury, etc are often founded on ignorance of the elimination since 2000, in all but flu shots, which are available without mercury. Much more dangerous is the widespread pollution of our air, our soil, and our water systems by the burning of fossil fuels, fracking and factory farming. I think common sense can reduce most fears and concerns. I am glad I don't need any more shots, but measles, in areas with no vaccinations, for example still kill thousands. "Approximately 145,700 people died from measles in 2013 – mostly children" according to WHO. In the U.S., death from measles is extremely rare, but that is after decades of vaccinations. Dale Ruff,Felton
