Is there a connection between vaccines and autism?
– Parris
No, there is no connection between vaccines and autism.
Autism
is a condition that affects the brain and makes communicating and interacting with
other people more difficult. The cause(s) of autism is unknown. But genetics, differences
in brain anatomy, and toxic substances in the environment are thought to contribute
to children developing the condition.
So how did the idea that vaccines play a role get started? Much of the blame lies
with a study published in 1998 that suggested that the MMR
(measles-mumps-rubella) vaccine, or infection with the naturally occurring measles virus itself, might
cause autism. Since then, numerous scientific studies have shown that there is no
link between vaccines — or any of their ingredients — and autism. And
the research used in that study was found to be false, the doctor who wrote it lost
his medical license, and the medical journal that published it retracted the paper
(this means that they believe it never should have been published).
Even with the overwhelming evidence that vaccines are safe and effective, some
parents still decide not to have their children vaccinated or to delay vaccinations.
But this is extremely risky because vaccine-preventable diseases like measles are
still around. An unvaccinated child who gets one of these preventable diseases could
get very sick or even die, as could other people around
the child.
Sometimes, kids can have a reaction to a vaccine like a mild fever or rash. But
it's clear that the risk of serious reactions to the MMR and other recommended vaccines
is small compared with the health risks associated with the often-serious diseases
they prevent.
If you have concerns about any vaccine recommended for your child, talk to your
doctor. Ask about the benefits and risks of each vaccine and why they're so important.
Date reviewed: March 2019