Drama around Vaccines

Literally. ABC is airing a new drama in which the main character is questioning his path in life after making a living representing drug companies, including the makers of vaccines. Due to his "change of vision", he is able to take on a client, a mother of a child who has autism, who wants to sue the makers of the vaccine. I read this in the New York Times, (http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/23/arts/television/23ston.html?pagewanted=1&8dpc) and was reminded how I found, and continue to find, the issues around vaccines the hardest thing to struggle with as a mom. I am amazed that a large network is allowing a show to take on such a controversial issue, with real eye opening arguements that will cause parents to think. There has been so much written about this issue, from both sides of the fence and in between. However, I still believe that nothing reaches Americans like television. It will be interesting to see if there are any changes in the way parents vaccinate thier children after this episode. (It is on at 10 pm. ...are any parents, particularly new parents even awake then? Perhaps this is not accidental!) Making informed choices is all we can do for our children and families. Hopefully more and more parents will inform themselves around these issues, and make their decisions from an educated place, whatever those decisions are. Just as I am struggling through another time around with infant vaccines, choosing my own schedule and demanding mercury free injections, I came across an article in Mothering Magazine by Dr. Bob Spears. He calls aluminum the new mercury, and feels that THIS is the preservative to be watching out for. His arguement is convincing, and alarming. I am arming myself with new information everyday, and know that this is all I can do. Back to the drawing board on vaccine decisions I go. I have not read the book yet, but for those interested, here is the link for the book, //http://www.amazon.com/Vaccine-Book-Decision-Parenting-Library/dp/0316017507 and the website //http://www.askdrsears.com/thevaccinebook/ . What I can recommend is the DVD, Vaccines, by Dr. Jay Gordon. His site is //http://www.drjaygordon.com/development/pediatricks/vaccoverview.asp. Just another way of getting information, without being shouted at from either side of the fence!