The Autism Epidemic and Vaccinations

Vaccines and Autism Have No Correlation According to Research

Oct 12, 2009

Some parents and researchers have asserted that vaccines are indicted as a cause of autism. A careful review of the facts reveals this statement to be quite false.

Autism is an illness that involves mental and physical impairments. Those afflicted may suffer from an inability to communicate with others well, learning difficulties as well as difficulties with movement and expression.

In recent decades autism has become quite widely diagnosed. Estimates have risen as widely as one in 91 children today according to the Autism Society of America making it one of the most common childhood disorders. Educators and parents alike have struggled to determine how best to treat children who are suffering from autism. Many treatments have been proposed.

Autism Treatments

In the search for how best to treat autism researchers have focused attention on the causes of autism. Progress has been slow. Autism is thought to be a disease with many components and many causes.

One such proposed cause has been vaccines. In the last several decades the number of vaccines given to children has increased greatly. Infants, babies and small children are now given over three dozen vaccines during their first four years of life.

Diseases that are commonly vaccinated against include polio, whooping cough or pertussis, diphtheria, measles, mumps, rubella and a form of hepatitis.

As a result of vaccination rates infant mortality rates have dropped tremendously both in the United States and abroad. Far fewer children suffer brain damage as a result of a bout of the measles, infertility because of mumps or risk liver disease from hepatitis B.

Some sources, such as a report in the February 28th edition of the Lancet medical journal, have asserted that as a result of vaccination children are getting autism. Parents and other advocates point to the rising rates of autism worldwide, a rise that seems to coincide with increasing rates of vaccination. They also point to studies that seem to indicate a correlation with vaccine reaction and autism.

Such fears are understandable. Autism can be a baffling and frustrating disease for anyone to cope with. The search for effective treatments (let alone a cure) can seem quite elusive.

Vaccines and Autism Not Connected

Yet a careful examination of the facts reveals that vaccination and autism are not connected.

In the first place autism rates are on the rise but this may be as a result of differing diagnosis criteria from other illnesses such as learning disabilities rather than a real increase in autism.

Moreover scientists have repeatedly looked at the subject. Despite numerous studies they have yet to find any credible link. A report by the United States Department of Health and Human Services published on March 3rd, 2008, stated, “HRSA (the Health Resources and Services Administration) has reviewed the scientific information concerning the allegation that vaccines cause autism and has found no credible evidence to support the claim.”

Studies that have looked at the causes of autism have found evidence for a genetic link and possibly an environmental one as well. Twins are more likely to have autism if they have an affected sibling. Babies who are exposed to stresses in-utero such as being part of a set of triplets or even higher numbers of children in the womb are also more likely to have autism.

Autism is a frustrating illness. Parents and health authorities continue to search for a cure together. In the meantime health officials urge parents to vaccinate their children to avoid outbreaks of contagious illness.

In 2008 the United States experienced an outbreak of measles in fifteen states according to the Centers for Disease control. CDC officials wrote in the August 22nd, 2008 edition of MMWR weekly "These importation-associated cases have occurred largely among school-aged children who were eligible for vaccination but whose parents chose not to have them vaccinated."

Officials urge parents to continue to have children vaccinated to help avoid such outbreaks in the future.

American Academy of Pediatrics Facts For Parents About Vaccine Safety, March 2008 Press Release

The copyright of the article The Autism Epidemic and Vaccinations in Autism Research is owned by Stacy Herlihy. Permission to republish The Autism Epidemic and Vaccinations in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.