Emeline Brennan
Pysc PDE #3
Do Vaccinations Cause Autism?
Do Vaccinations cause Autism? This is a controversial subject that warrants exploration of both sides of the issue. Researchers on the subject claim that they continue to find no link between vaccinations and Autism. So sure are researchers that there is no link, the scientific community has reached a clear consensus that vaccines don't cause Autism. (Hall, 2009)
Despite this, the fear of such a link is causing immunization rates to drop which is starting to have a significant impact on public health and even safety. The drop in immunization rates is one of the reasons why measles is making a comeback in the U.K and some parts of the U.S. (Hall, 2009). But the impact is also global. Failure to vaccinate, particularly in areas prone to preventable disease, is leading to more infections. It also puts whole communities in danger. If one person gets sick with the measles or any other communicable disease, it endangers everyone without the vaccination around them, including children and elders.
In 1998, a British doctor named Andrew Wakefield published an article convincing parents of eight children with autism to think there was a connection between the MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine and their autistic children. Wakefield's article led to a drastic drop in vaccinations in the U.K. It went from 93% to 75% and 50% in the London area, (Hall, 2009). Despite evidence to back up the claim, people believed there was a link. Some even accused the government of hiding the fact that vaccinations cause Autism. (Hall, 2009)
While vaccines have had tremendous positive effects on global health, they are not without risk, even autism. It is known that vaccine manufacturers have suppressed harmful data related to their products. For example, a study has shown that the Hepatitis B vaccine for newborn babies could triple the chance for Autism. (Walia, 2013). Researchers found a positive link between people with Autism and certain types of vaccinations they were given as a child through adulthood. Autoimmunity to the central nervous system may play a role in Autism. (Walia, 2013)
Autistic children have an inappropriate or abnormal antibody response to vaccinations like the MMR Many vaccinations can be neurotoxic to the developing brain like the flu vaccination because of the thimerosal found within it. Oxidative stress which is associated with Autism is triggered by heavy metals such as the ones found in multiple vaccinations. (Walia, 2013) This is for kids who have already been diagnosed with Autism. How can it be said that it was the MMR vaccination that caused it? Or the effect of the flu vaccination? Or even the metals within the vaccinations themselves?
Multiple courts around the world have ruled that vaccines do cause autism, brain damage and other complications including the MMR vaccine. (Walia, 2013) In reality, looking at both sides is always the best option. Some will say well the courts said this and the doctors said this but in the end people are going to believe what they think is right.
Autism today has no real exact definition or answer. Different Doctors will tell you different things. So how is it fair to say there is a connection between Autism and vaccinations?
Hall, Harriet (June 3, 2009) The Skepdoc: Vaccines and Autism.
Kirkland, A. (2012). The Legitimacy of Vaccine Critics: What Is Left after the Autism
Hypothesis?. Journal Of Health Politics, Policy & Law, 37(1), 69-97. doi:10.1215/03616878-1496020
Walia Arjun (September 12, 2013) Activists: Vaccines.
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