Autism VS MMR

"Should i give this kind of vaccination to my baby on schedule, later or never?" this question has been haunted me eversince our last visit to the pediatrician, after we settle back again in Batam, after Jakarta long holiday. The doctor said that Belle,10 months old at that time didn't need to take immunization for campak (measles), supposed to be taken when she was 9 mths old. His reason was because this kind of shot (campak) only prevent from a disease (perhaps different kind of measles, local measles?) that most likely infect children with poor intact of nutrition. Having consider that Belle is well maintained (Thanks God) and has had adequate nutrition, he said that this campak vaccin is not really necessary, as we skipped it anyway. Therefore, he suggested straight away to give Belle MMR next month when she reach 12 mths old.

MMR has became a big issue these last decade when someone suspect that this kind of immunization can caused autism to a child. I heard about this quite a long time ago but never take too serious concern until now, when we have to decide whether to give the vaccine or wait til later. I did the goggling and seek for advice, opinion from friends and some health mailing list i joined. And the result for this re-researching was i becoming more confuse. Out of 10 people that i asked for opinion, 9 of them said that they wait until their child big enough (2 or 3 years old) and already walk and talk fluently. Honestly i didn't feel that I'm 100% agree with their advice.

MMR schedule for babies between age 15-18 mths old, in Indonesia. Even in Australia and other countries It schedule earlier: for 12 mths old babies. So, I think it will be very risky if i have to wait that long and also the possibility that my baby can be contagious with either Measles, Mumps or Rubella will be greater. I also found out that autism, actually can be detected as early as when the baby is 10 mths old, even 6 mths old. The reasons why parents nowadays becoming (too) worry are because autism has been known or similar as speech delay ability in children. Whilst, autism the symptoms actually more vary and different than that.

I did the goggling again and found this useful info about some symptoms or guideline whether your baby has autism or not:

By 2 to 3 months, your baby is not making eye contact.
* By 3 months, not smiling at you and recognize the sound of your voice.
* By 6 months, no laughing or giggling
* By 9 months, no babbling.
* By 1 year, not recognizing when you call his name
* By 1 year, showing disregard for vocalizations, but has a keen awareness of environmental sounds.
* By 1 year, no back-and-forth communications with you.
* By 16 months, no words.
* By 18 months, not pointing to things that interest him.
* By 24 months, no two-word meaningful phrases.