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The Vaccine and Autism DebateParents Wonder if the MMR Innoculation Could Have Caused Autism.
A debate about whether vaccines cause autism leaves parents wondering if it is safe to have their children inoculated against normal childhood illnesses.
Vaccines have long been known to prevent many childhood diseases and have played a major role in limiting the spread of illnesses such as the measles. Could these same vaccines be causing autism? While some medical professionals discard the idea, other medical professionals and parents are sure that vaccines either cause or trigger autism and autistic symptoms in children. How Did This Debate Begin?There were a few studies that indicated a link between the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine and autism. The first was published in 1998 [Wakefield et al]. Although this study, as well as some more recent studies [Singh et al, 1998, O’Leary et al, 2000, Wakefield et al, 2000] suggested a link, it did not offer any scientific data or information to back up the claim. Based on these studies, people began to believe that vaccines caused, or at least, contributed to, autism. One problem, according to Dr. Paul Offit, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, is that some children with autism will appear fine until one to two years of age. They will begin to regress at that time. Normally, vaccines are given around this age, as well. The appearance of autism symptoms after a vaccine has led some to believe it is caused by inoculations rather than coincidence. Studies Show Vaccines Do Not Cause AutismThe Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Institute of Medicine (IOM) have all indicated they have found no correlation between autism and thimerosal, a preservative previously used in vaccines that contains mercury. According to the Institute of Medicine, five large studies have been completed on thimerosal and autism and fourteen studies have been completed on the MMR vaccine and autism. None of these studies have found a link to indicate vaccines cause autism. The CDC has issued the statement, “the available scientific evidence has not shown thimerosal containing vaccines to be harmful.” Are Vaccines Completely Safe?Advocates of the vaccine-autism link, such as the Autism Research Institute, explain that the Institute of Medicine did not completely reject the notion of vaccines causing autism. According to their statement, the IOM could not completely rule out the MMR (Measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine contributing to autism in a small number of children, indicating further research was needed. Hannah Poling is a nine year old child with autism. Her parents filed suit in the federal vaccine-court. The court determined that her “pre-existing mitochondrial disorder…was aggravated by the vaccines she received.” This case raised questions as to the safety of vaccines and put the debate into play once more. Weighing the Benefits and Risks of VaccinationsMedical professionals worry that this debate will end up spreading fear in parents and cause them to forego having their child inoculated against diseases such as mumps, measles, rubella and chicken pox. This could cause widespread outbreaks of these illnesses and put children at risk for serious illness and death. However, for many parents, as well as some medical professionals, the safety of children include being sure vaccines are not causing autism. You Might Also Be Interested In:Autism Symptoms and Treatments Autism Organizations in the U.S. References: Chew, PhD, Kristen (2008,Mar 6). The Case of Hannah Poling. AustismVox Martin, David (2008,April 2). Vaccine-Autism Question Divides Parents, Scientists. CNN Childs, Dan (2008,March 7). Debate Rages Anew on Vaccine-Autism Link. ABC News Rimland, PhD, Bernard (2001). The MMR/Autism Controversy: Should We Believe the IOM?. Autism Research Institute
The copyright of the article The Vaccine and Autism Debate in Autism/Asperger's Syndrome is owned by Eileen Bailey. Permission to republish The Vaccine and Autism Debate in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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