Hi Everyone!!

As a new mom, and nurse, I had no question about immunizing my son.  I have heard the arguments on both sides regarding the MMR, and have read research for both as well.  A good article which disputes the link between the MMR and autism is http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/8484.php if you're interested.  I have spoken to one of my public health nurse colleagues, and she said to me that there is no proven link between thimerasol and autism, but thimerasol has been removed from the vaccine due to public concerns.  She said that autism is usually diagnosed around the time the MMR vaccine is given, which is why people have been concerned that it was the cause. 
Honestly, I believe vaccines are a safe and effective way to prevent my child from becoming ill, and that we're lucky to have such life saving measures avaliable to us.  I take chances every day which could cause me harm; I drive; heck, I just get out of bed in the morning!!  I recognize that cases of mumps are returning because people are not getting immunized.  I heard one doctor speak regarding vaccinations, and he said that our society has no fear of these diseases because we don't see them; he said he lived in a time where he had friends debilitated and wheelchair bound due to polio and other diseases, so he recognizes how horrific they are.
And as a nurse who has worked in Pediatrics, I've seen babies having seizures from meningitis, which could have been prevented with the meningococcal vaccination.  I could never look at that, or my own child, having a seizure, and say they were better off not having the vaccinations.
Just my thoughts  

Julie