It is perhaps one of the most heart-breaking things a parent can hear from a doctor — a diagnosis of autism.
Their once happy, vibrant baby is now a toddler withdrawn and locked in a world she doesn’t understand, challenged by even the smallest tasks, unable to control volatile and violent behavior. She cannot communicate even her most basic needs. She cannot interact.
No one quite knows the reason a child develops autism, though most are diagnosed with the brain disorder before the age of 3.
A decade-old study suggests that the disease could be linked to the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccination, which has caused parents to shy away from having the immunization. And the number of cases of measles in the United States this year is the highest its been since 1997, which doctors and researchers say is caused by fewer vaccinations being administered because of unwarranted fears about autism.
An international study released this week shows that there is absolutely no connection between the MMR vaccination and autism.
Measles, a highly contagious virus that presents as a red skin rash with fever and cold-like symptoms, was once responsible for the deaths of hundreds of children in the United States each year. While the widespread availability of the MMR vaccination has prevented outbreaks of the virus, a few cases are reported to the Center for Disease Control and Protection each year. This year, there were 131 measles cases, and nearly half of the infected children had parents who rejected the MMR immunization.
While 131 cases doesn’t seem much compared to years when there were hundreds of thousands of children who came down with the disease, it’s disturbing that parents have been put in the position of having to choose between the threat of a serious illness or the threat of a lifelong brain disorder.
Hopefully, the results of this latest international research, launched to debunk the 1998 British study linking autism and MMR shots, will change minds. The American Academy of Pediatrics has made vaccination education one of its top priorities this year.
Vaccinations eliminate diseases. Sometime during the 1970s it was no longer necessary to vaccinate children for small pox. And polio has been virtually eradicated from mainstream society because of both an oral and injectable immunization. Even the number of chicken pox cases annually has dramatically dropped since a vaccination was developed.
And vaccinations save lives. Of the 10 vaccinations the CDC recommends for those between the ages of 0 and 6, all are for diseases or sicknesses that can be life-threatening for small children, from hepatitis to influenza.
With the fear of autism lifted, there’s no reason why parents should reject or delay vaccinations during check-ups at their pediatrician’s office. The health and well-being of our children are at stake.
Opinion
With the fear of autism lifted, vaccinations must not be rejected
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Results about Twitter, free from censorship
So Twitter announces that it will allow country-specific censorship. What followed was #outrage, #disbelief, #protest, #RighteousIndignation, #TwitterBlackout and #rage.
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West Virginia must develop plan to fulfill highway needs
There is no dispute that improving West Virginia’s roads is one of the state’s biggest needs.
We use them daily — out of necessity and for pleasure.
They’re also vital to West Virginia’s economic health. -
Best interests would be served if FGH and city both move on
In December, Marion County Circuit Court Judge David Janes ruled that the Fairmont General Hospital Board of Directors can appoint its own members and that the City of Fairmont’s charter no longer applies to the hospital.
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Educational partnership a step in the right direction
Officials involved in a new educational partnership between Pierpont Community & Technical College and FirstEnergy Corp. call the endeavor a “great opportunity.”
We think it’s even more than that. -
Meth causes senseless waste, terrible damage in West Virginia
Terrible damage is inflicted on West Virginia — and upon abusers and their families — because dopeheads feel compelled to blank out their minds with drugs of many sorts. We can’t understand the sad need that impels them. It causes a senseless loss to society and individuals, filling prisons and wrecking jobs.
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Limited funds for workforce training can’t be wasted through drug abuse
There’s only so much money to go around when it comes to workforce training. And with the national economy still in a bit of a slump, there’s even less money to go around and even more of a reason to make the money invested in these programs count.
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A better way to choose presidential candidates?
Forty-seven more primaries to go.
If you feel like it’s been a wild Republican primary election season, with accusations of sexual misconduct, candidates coming and going, who makes how much and more, just remember one thing. There are 47 more primaries to go. -
Marion Countians should be proud as United Way has exceeded its goal
The United Way, we are most pleased to report, has reached its goal for the fifth consecutive year. In fact, it has actually surpassed its goal, and that is even better news.
Just to refresh your mind, the 2011-12 goal was set at $410,000, and it has passed that by $3,000. -
Americans can’t afford Washington to be ‘broken’
It’s certainly not difficult to sense division and apprehension in the United States of America.
The federal government is divided, with Democrat Barack Obama in his fourth year as president and Democrats in control of the Senate, while Republicans are in charge of the House of Representatives. -
West Virginia has much to offer in bid for ‘cracker’ plant
More than 12,000 jobs. A payroll of $729 million. State tax revenues of $95 million.
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