Ouch

We are bringing Hua Zhe for his 4th month check-up and pneumococcal vaccination tomorrow. As with previous jabs, I am all nervous inside. Hua Zhe was fussy everytime after his vaccination. He would cry easily, not sleep well and be grumpy for a day after. And hearing people mentioning the link between mercury in vaccines, MMR and autism, often in one breath, does not make me breathe easier. Even though studies do not show any link between vaccines and autism but I am still very concerned. What if the damage is only discovered years down the road, like thalidomide*?

*Thalidomide was used as a tranquiliser and painkiller. It also has an inhibitory effect on morning sickness. Many pregnant women took this drug to relieve their symptoms. More than 10,000 children with severe birth defects were born in the 50’s and 60’s as a result of the drug.