Immunisation MMR linked to autisim

By choosing to immunise your child you will be simply and effectivley protecting him against harmful diseases that can cause seriouse complications and even death. Most babies attend their local doctor for immunisations. But you can also choose for your baby to be immunised at a hospital, health centre or

local council facility. All young children enrolled in Medicare are included in the Australian Childhood Immunisation Register. You will be sent a letter to remind you when immunisation is due. Immunity is not immediate and babies are not protected until a few weeks have passed. In the case of vaccines, such as DTP, good protection does not start until until two or more doses have been administered. And full protection requires that the child completes all reccomended doses of the vaccine. Young children and babies are at greater risk of contracting diseases because their immune systems aren't fully developed. Maternal antibodies passed on during pregnancy wear off after a couple of months, so immunisation begins then.

SIDE EFFECTS - The oral polio vaccine, which is expected to be replaced with an injection in the future, is a very safe vaccine for most of the community, but if there is a history of problems with immunity in your baby or in the family, then you should ask your doctor about wheather to have the 'inactivated' (injected_ polio vaccine for your baby instead.
The new whooping cough vaccine - called DTPa for short - is now used in all vaccinations of children, and is less likely to cause side effects than the old vaccine. It is no longer routenly reccomended that you give your baby a dose of infant paracetamal just prior to vaccination. But if your baby screams alot after vaccination, seems very drowsy, develops a high temp, or has much swelling and redness at the injection site, you should contact your Dr immediatly.
Vaccination against pneumococcal and meningococcal type C infections is now reccomended for all infants to help reduce the risk of meningitis. A combined measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccination is given at 12 months. About five per cent of babies develope very mild measels symptoms: rash, fever and runny nose five to ten days after the injection. Symptoms are not infectious and clear in a few days.
It's important to remember that, while no vaccination is completly free of side effects when they do occur they are generally far less common and much less severe than the symptons of the disease they are preventing.  If your concerned about the possibility of your baby suffering side effects it is important that you speak with your Dr before deciding not to immunise - a decision not to do so could place your baby at risk. Also when an unvaccinated child attends daycare, pre-school or school, they may be required to stay home if an outbreak of vaccine-preventable infection occurs.
PERSONAL NOTE AND RESERCH: Scientists in th UK have indeed found a link between the MMR immunisation and autisim although this occures very rarley it does occur. Autisim occured after a high fever and convultions effectivly frying the childs brain. My personal way of dealing with this was to allow my child have the first 2 immunisations at 12 months then followed by the MMR jab, thus protecting my child fully he has indeed had all shots from birth but I was a little concerned the 5 live virisus in my childs body could be the cause of autisim at 12 months children are due for Hep B jab, Mengia cocal, and of course the 3 in one, this 5 live virus coctail in my proffessional oppinion as an overprotective mother could have caused my child discomfort, illness and the possibility of perminent damage. I believe in immunisation and don't want to scare anyone however the link to autisim was brought to my attention by member gr8est whom has a write up in his blog.

SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS - If you are at all worried about your child's health at the time that his immunisation is due discuss your concerns with your Dr. However, there are very few health reasons why children cannot be immunised. You only need to be concerned if your child ;

• is suffering from an acute illness, fever or illness of the nervous system
• is receiving treatment for cancer
• has worsening convulsions
• has a damaged immune system
• takes cortisone by mouth or has had a dose of gamma globulin in the last three weeks
• has had a blood transfusionin the past three months
• has already had a severe reaction to a previouse dose. A reaction is classed as seriouse if the child's temp goes above 40*C, or if he has convulsions within 72 hours, screams for more than three hours or suffers shock.

Premature babies are espicially in need of protection, so if your baby was born early, start immunisation two months after birth and follow normal schedual.

Information sourced from the babycare book