To: Patients and Families of Children’s Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

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Children’s Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota is concerned about the health and welfare of your children. Many of you trust us to care for your children and that is why we are writing to you at this time concerning recommendations that you may have read about in an Open Letter to Somali Parents by J.B. Hendley in Hiiraan Online on November 19, 2008. Our understanding is that Mr Handley is not a physician. While he does have a son with autism and has no doubt done a lot of research in the area of autism, we recommend you always seek medical advice on how to care for your children directly from your medical provider

There is a concern among many of us caring for Somali children that we are seeing more autism in this population. We agree with and support the Minnesota Department of Health’s plan to study this issue further.

For your information, we are providing the following general information concerning vaccinations. These are only general guidelines and you should discuss with your physician or health care provider specific questions about your child’s care:

Vaccines are designed to keep your children safe. Yes, they all have potential side effects – including low grade fever and soreness among others. However, there is no evidence that any of them cause autism – either individually or when given with other immunizations.
New vaccines have been developed and added to the vaccine schedule in an attempt to prevent illnesses that can cause potentially serious illnesses in your children and even death. The two best examples in the last 20 years have been the vaccines against Haemophilus influenza B disease (Hib vaccine) and pneumococcal disease (Prevnar or PCV7 vaccine). We have seen children die from both these diseases in our careers and thanks to the new vaccines developed, have also seen a dramatic decrease in illnesses from both of these.
Many of the illnesses that your children are vaccinated against (e.g. Pertussis or Whooping Cough) cause more significant problems for younger children Thus, delaying immunizing your children until they are 12 months old may put them at increased risk, without any benefit to them.
Vaccines can safely be given together and can also be given if your child has a minor illness (e.g. cold or ear infection).
Many vaccines need to be given in a series over many months and many need a booster immunization to give as complete immunity as is possible. Giving a single immunization, if a series is recommended, will not protect your child.
Recommended vaccine schedules that have been devised and refined over the years are designed to protect your children from these diseases. Coming up with a new schedule, not based on science, is not in your children’s best interests.
Over the years, you have brought your children to our clinics and hospitals to care for your children because you trusted us. We ask that you continue to trust us and talk with your Provider about your concerns, before making a decision to not immunize your children.

Sincerely yours,

Sheldon Berkowitz, MD James McCord, MD

Medical Director Medical Director

Minneapolis Children’s Clinic General Pediatrics Clinic – St. Paul