Thanks for coming to my ted talk. I know most people who are anti-vax will not listen to a word I say but my hope is that if there is any parent on the fence about vaccinating that they see this and actually receive CORRECT information supported by evidence-based research and can make their decision well-educated. 🤦🏼♀️🤦🏼♀️🤦🏼♀️🤦🏼♀️
The recent change in the CDC's vaccine recommendation specifically affects the administration of the MMRV vaccine, which combines measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella (chickenpox) into one shot. According to the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), the combined MMRV vaccine will no longer be recommended for children aged 12 to 47 months. Instead, these children should receive separate MMR and varicella shots. This decision was made to address a crucial safety concern— the increased risk of febrile seizures in young children after receiving the combined MMRV vaccine. Febrile seizures, which are convulsions triggered by fever, can be frightening for parents and may affect a child's well-being even though they typically do not cause long-term problems. Research has shown that the risk of febrile seizures is higher with the combined MMRV vaccine than with separate MMR and varicella vaccines, particularly in the 1 to 4 years age group. By opting for the separate administration of MMR and varicella vaccines, the likelihood of these seizures can be reduced, improving the safety profile of immunization at this sensitive age. Importantly, while the MMRV vaccine is removed from the recommended schedule for the first dose in younger children, it remains an option for the second dose administered between ages 4 and 6. For parents navigating vaccine decisions, it's essential to understand that the CDC's update reflects ongoing efforts to balance the effectiveness of vaccinations with minimizing side effects. Pediatricians will continue to provide guidance based on the latest recommendations, and this change helps ensure that young children are vaccinated safely and effectively. Parents who may feel overwhelmed or hesitant about changes in vaccine recommendations can consider consulting trusted healthcare providers or reviewing evidence-based resources. Recognizing the benefit of vaccination to protect children from potentially severe diseases alongside the safety improvements from updated schedules fosters confidence in childhood immunization programs. In summary, the CDC's removal of the combined MMRV vaccine for children under 4 years is a precaution that reflects new evidence aimed at safer vaccination practices. The shift to separate MMR and varicella vaccines enables parents to better safeguard their children from febrile seizures while maintaining strong protection against these contagious diseases.
My son was born with autism. I hate hearing people say it’s because of vaccines, it’s because of Tylenol. I tell people autism is present when they are being created inside the womb. My son was a late diagnosis. He was born 2005 and was diagnosed in 2013, he showed signs of autism at 6 months. However his doctor told us he would do the things we were worried about when he wanted to do them. This is why parents need to be educated before we birth kids.