MMR for 6 yr old

[pianojazzgirl]

Is anyone aware of the differences in risk in giving a 6 yr old the MMR vax as opposed to a younger child? Has anyone ever heard of a child developing autism as a result of this vax when given at an older age?

[phrogger]

Originally Posted by pianojazzgirl

Is anyone aware of the differences in risk in giving a 6 yr old the MMR vax as opposed to a younger child? Has anyone ever heard of a child developing autism as a result of this vax when given at an older age?

I have never heard of someone developing autism at that late of an age. But I have heard of kids still having adverse reactions to the vaccine, but not at the level of an infant or toddler (fevers, seizures etc). I delayed the vaccine until my son was 6 and he had no problems with it at all. I do however feel in my gut that had we done it sooner, there would have been serious consequences. My son had 2 of the 3 markers for autism (which many people do), and his genetics led to higher chances of autism. We waited until his immune system was more developed and able to handle the vaccine and it was no problem.

My step son on the other hand had his MMR at 15 months. He is autistic.

[Gitti]

The real problem with doing MMR so late is that the child may have had the measles naturally and perhaps sort of atypically (without definite symptoms) at an earlier age and have built immunity to measles.

This immunity is most likely stored at the port of entry for that virus.

When the measles virus is then injected into the muscle it goes straight into the blood bypassing all defenses and basically giving free reign to all the child's organs. The brain is especially in danger at that time.

Also there is a history of some children developing Autims at, I believe, age 10. (?)

[bremen]

i have worked with people with autism in 2 states, and another country as well.
knowing a minimum of 50 individuals with autism, every single one developed symptoms between 1 and 4.
this is just my personal experience, but also, working in the field, have never even heard anecdotal evidence of any developing first symptoms after 4. diagnoses are often later, especially in rural areas, but not symptoms.


there are many reasons to be cautious of vaccines, but imho, if a 6 yr old shows no symptoms of autism, then autism is not a risk with the mmr.

[Heavenly]

What exactly would be the point of giving the MMR to your 6 year old?

[Ophelia]

Originally Posted by phrogger

My son had 2 of the 3 markers for autism (which many people do), and his genetics led to higher chances of autism.

A little OT, but can you tell me what these are specifically (besides having a brother with autism)? Thanks!

[phrogger]

Originally Posted by Ophelia

A little OT, but can you tell me what these are specifically (besides having a brother with autism)? Thanks!

Actually I can. My son doesn't have a brother with autism; he has a step brother, so there isn't that component.

I work with autistic kid and actually have helped with some of the diagnostic assessments so I will give you what I know from that standpoint.

Autism is diagnosed because of difficulties in 3 different areas. Impaired reciprocal social interaction, Impaired communication and Restricted repertoire of interests, behaviors, and activities. Basically, if the kid doesn't talk, doesn’t pay attention to people and if the kid does unusual things that out of the norm for age appropriate behavior.

My son had impaired reciprocal social interaction. He didn't like to be held, he wouldn't look at you, he didn't answer to his name (we had his hearing checked etc.) he didn't startle, he didn't interact basically. He also had delayed speech. He didn't talk until he was 2 1/2. His older brother was speaking in sentences at 12 months.

He however did not have unusual behavior. He didn't line up cars, he didn't spin, he didn't make odd sounds, and he didn't do anything that was stereotypical "autism". There are a number of things that fall into that area, but basically, he didn't fit those.

However, there is belief there is some genetic component too. People wonder why not all kids who have vaccines have autism. That is because there needs to be something there that is triggered. It can be immune issues or neurological. My step son and my son both have some of the same genetic issues, just with different members. My step son, his father has a sister who is bi polar, ocd, adhd and about every other acronym you can put in their. My husband mother is also battling acute depression on a constant basis etc. So my step son has the neurological component that can be triggered. My son’s bio father also had very close family members who were bi polar and had multiple depressive disorders and other neurological disorders.

So basically, my son and my step son had similar genetics (although different parents). My son showed traits early on (those two markers) but didn't have his vaccines until he was older. My step son had no traits early on, was developing above the curve, advanced in all areas, then got his MMR at 15 months and bam, by 18 months he was at a 6 month old developmental level, lost all speech, and by the time I met him at 3 1/2 it was obvious to me and my roommate (who was on an autism diagnostic team) that he was autistic.

My step son is now what you would call high functioning. He is completely capable of being self sufficient, and caring for himself almost entirely (well as much as a 9 year old can) but he is odd. He doesn't get jokes, he has really poor social skills, he can't relate to kids his own age etc. He is a very intelligent child (high iq, wonderful grades etc.) but has behavior issues etc.

My son on the other hand is a completely typical 9 year old (step son and son are the same age) and you would NEVER know that I ever had any concerns about him, ever. At about 4 he just one day started looking at people, started hugging people, and started being a "typical" kid.

Hope that all makes sense.

And with that said, I have never seen a dx occur with symptoms that presented over the age of 3. I also called my former roommate who was on the DX team and she hasn't either. But she still won’t vaccinate her child until her child is 5.

[Gitti]

Originally Posted by phrogger

But she still won’t vaccinate her child until her child is 5.

It's of course her business totally but I still question the logic of it.

Here is a child who lives healthy with a natural, unaltered immune system for 5 years. Manages to deal with every day attacks on the immune system and all sort of bigger immune building infections and fevers. Everything is going fine. Suddenly she turns 5 and now she must get injected, injected, injected, injected, injected, injected, injected, injected.... I don't know how many times the mother will have her injected, but anyway, after that her health is supposed to be what?

Altered for sure.

Can it possibly be BETTER? Better health after all those injections? I doubt that very seriously.

Why not permit the child to continue to maintain her/his health the way that child has managed up to now? Why take that sort of chance with that child's body?

What if that child can't work the injections out of the body and consequently becomes a diabetic, gets MS, juv. rheumatism, cancer....???

[phrogger]

Originally Posted by Gitti

It's of course her business totally but I still question the logic of it.

Here is a child who lives healthy with a natural, unaltered immune system for 5 years. Manages to deal with every day attacks on the immune system and all sort of bigger immune building infections and fevers. Everything is going fine. Suddenly she turns 5 and now she must get injected, injected, injected, injected, injected, injected, injected, injected.... I don't know how many times the mother will have her injected, but anyway, after that her health is supposed to be what?

Altered for sure.

Can it possibly be BETTER? Better health after all those injections? I doubt that very seriously.

Why not permit the child to continue to maintain her/his health the way that child has managed up to now? Why take that sort of chance with that child's body?

What if that child can't work the injections out of the body and consequently becomes a diabetic, gets MS, juv. rheumatism, cancer....???

In her opinion, and yes, she is very educated, the benefits out weigh the risks. i on the other hand am not sure how I feel about that for my own child.

[Ophelia]

Originally Posted by phrogger

However, there is belief there is some genetic component too. People wonder why not all kids who have vaccines have autism. That is because there needs to be something there that is triggered. It can be immune issues or neurological.

Thanks for explaining all that! I do read about autism nearly every day but dont' always remember the specifics. Have a nephew with high-functioning autism (was originally diagnosed with ADHD at a younger age, then it was switched to autism when he got older. I know it's all on the ASD spectrum).

And I completely agree about the genetics and the triggers. I think there may be more triggers than just vaccines.

[cloak]

Originally Posted by pianojazzgirl

Has anyone ever heard of a child developing autism as a result of this vax when given at an older age?

I've never heard of it but given the extremely small number of kids who wait to get this vax until they are older, it's just not statistically likely that you'll hear these stories. Plenty of stories about the younger ones developing autism after the MMR though. I personally wouldn't take the risk.