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As I discussed in a previous article, the MMR vaccine (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) and the varicella (chickenpox) vaccines are two of the vaccines that worry parents the most.

Now researchers have confirmed previous suspicions that the combination vaccine for these four childhood diseases, the MMRV, is even worse -- doubling your child's risk for febrile convulsions, compared to giving the two vaccines separately.

Among the toddlers who received their first dose of the MMRV vaccine, most of the fevers and seizures occurred 7 to 10 days after vaccination.

The researchers concluded that:

"Providers who recommend MMRV should communicate to parents that it increases the risk of fever and seizure over that already associated with measles-containing vaccines."

The New York Times claims that this common side effect "can be frightening" but is non-lethal. However, this statement does not necessarily tell the whole truth…

MMR Vaccine Linked to Inflammatory Bowel Disease

As discussed at length in my interview with Dr. Andrew Wakefield earlier this year, his investigation led him to conclude that he could no longer support the use of the three-in-one MMR vaccine because it was not safe.

In fact, he had reservations about the safety of each of the individual vaccines as well, but the triple MMR stood out as particularly problematic.

"I read all the papers," he said, "and I was absolutely appalled with the quality of the safety studies of the single [measles, mumps, and rubella vaccines], and the combined MMR vaccine in particular."

In addition, Dr. Wakefield's own study linked the MMR vaccine to both Crohn's disease and autism. It remains one of the most controversial studies on the topic of vaccine safety today, despite the fact that 28 additional studies from around the world support his conclusions.

The interview is filled with back-story and behind the scenes information about how this vaccine research has been, and continues to be, suppressed. So if you missed it the first time, I highly recommend listening to it now.

MMR Vaccine Linked to Brain Inflammation

Whereas Dr. Wakefield's research shows the MMR vaccine can cause chronic inflammation in your bowels, other researchers have found links between the MMR and inflammation in other areas, such as your brain.

Dr. Harold Buttram has also written about the MMR vaccine as a potential link to autism, due to its potential to cause brain inflammation. He explains:

"First and perhaps foremost, MMR is incubated in chick embryo culture medium, which necessarily includes precursors of all the organ systems of the chick, including myelin basic protein.

Merck Pharmaceuticals, which produces MMR vaccine, claims that all traces of the chick embryo are removed before the vaccine is released for use. This may be true, but it is probably irrelevant as it does not take into account the process of mobile genetic elements, more commonly referred to as "jumping genes." Viruses being made up entirely of genetic material, they are highly susceptible to this process.

It has been shown that viruses are genetically changed by accepting genetic material from cell cultures.' The genetic imprint of the chick myelin basic protein, which is foreign to the human system because of its chick origin, may be programmed to induce antibodies against human myelin basic protein, once injected into the human system.

This in turn, potentially resulting in encephalitis."

So, febrile seizures may not be lethal, and may "clear up" on their own, but that's no guarantee that no harm has been done!

How Effective is the MMR Vaccine in Preventing Disease?

When trying to determine the risks versus benefits of any vaccine, it's helpful to determine whether or not a vaccine works in the first place.

In the United States, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises children to receive their first dose of the MMR vaccine between 12 and 18 months, and their second between the ages of 4 and 6.

The MMR vaccine is supposed to provide immunity against three childhood diseases: measles, mumps and rubella. Yet in a recent mumps outbreak in New York, a whopping 77 percent of the more than 1,000 people who became ill had been vaccinated.

The question that begs to be asked then is: Does the MMR vaccine -- which is one of the most controversial shots on the CDC's schedule -- even work?

According to the CDC, the vaccine is somewhere between 76 to 95 percent effective. This is why a second dose is necessary, as up to 20 percent of individuals do not develop measles immunity after the first dose.

Still, in the case of New York, it would appear the vaccine was more like 77 percent INEFFECTIVE against mumps.

Likewise, when mumps infected more than 6,500 people in the United States in 2006, most of the cases occurred among college students who had received both doses of the MMR vaccine.

At that time, just about the only people who were truly immune to mumps were older Americans who had recovered from mumps as children, and therefore had received natural, lifelong immunity.

Make Educated Decisions

Mumps used to be a routine childhood disease. Many of you reading this likely had your turn, the virus ran its course while you stayed at home in bed, and you've been rewarded with lifelong immunity.

In most cases, mumps, like many of the childhood diseases we're now vaccinating our children against, is not a serious disease.

In rare cases, serious complications can develop from mumps, but you must weigh this risk against that of the vaccine. In addition, even if you get vaccinated, you may still get the mumps, which means you've accepted all the risks of the vaccine itself without receiving any health benefit whatsoever.

As always -- Make your decision an educated decision.

Remember that healthy dietary habits and a robust immune system are two important factors that influence your ability to successfully combat viral assaults like mumps. All of the information you need to boost your immune system and health is available, for free, on my Web site in a clear, concise format that is broken down for beginners, intermediate, and advanced.

I'm also now offering the full nutritional typing program, for free!

I encourage you to browse through this information today for guidelines on how to stay healthy, and how to protect your children from disease naturally. You can also read up on a healthier, less risky vaccine schedule for your child, as well as learn how to legally opt out of any vaccine you don't want.