Editor:
I was happy that Dr. Klein took a kinder and somewhat more enlightened stance towards families that do not want to vaccinate their children (“Talking with the vaccine-hesitant and vaccine-deniers,” March 15).
My concerns are not with the benefits of immunization, but with the fact that 10 to 15 per cent of children can have an inherent inability to tolerate some aspects of vaccines.
When we vaccinated our daughter 34 years ago, she was 15 months old. We had not been in the vicinity of doctors and baby clinics before this time. We began her vaccinations without preconceived notions other than her health. The effects on her behaviour and health were radical and disturbing.
Our doctor sent us to an allergy specialist thinking that these changes were caused by something she was eating or exposed to. After her second round of vaccinations her health and behaviour worsened. She had been a happy, healthy child, now she did not like to be touched, could not stand loud noises, and was in a state of constant emotional and gastrointestinal distress. I remember having the thought, “Is this autism?”
She was lucky not only in the timing of her vaccinations so that the changes were apparent to us, but also in having a doctor who urged us not to give her more vaccines.
Today with breakthroughs in science and medicine we know that both my husband and our daughter have a rare genetic trait that makes it difficult for their brains and bodies to detox heavy metals and other toxins. This may have been a causative factor in her reaction.
We have found it best to stay informed on the latest science and, with the help of western and alternative doctors, make informed choices with this knowledge. We are not reckless or ignorant with health decisions, but we are very, very cautious.
L. O’Byrne, Roberts Creek
