Is there a link between vaccines and autism in children?
From http://www.mercola.com/1999/archive/link_between_autism_and_vaccinations.htm Responding to a new report released yesterday by the California Health and Human Services Agency revealing a 273 percent increase in California children diagnosed with autism during the past decade, the National Vaccine Information Center and three other advocacy organizations representing parents of autistic children are calling for independent scientific research into whether increased vaccination in early childhood is a contributing co-factor to the development of autism. According to the California State Department of Developmental Services (DDS), in 1998 there were 1,685 new cases of children diagnosed with autism with an incidence rate, based on 1998 population figures, of one in 312 California children now being diagnosed with autism. These figures include only children served by the California Developmental Services System and do not include the more than 13,500 children aged zero to three years i
Not one major scientific study has found a link between autism and the MMR vaccination and thimerisol. In fact, one study found that rates of autism rose in California even as the amount of thimerosal in vaccines declined. Further research is probably indicated, as it’s possible vaccines or their components, while not primary causes of autism, may cause autism in a subset of genetically susceptible children, or a neurological condition that resembles autism. However, current research indicates that vaccinations and autism are merely a coincidental link. If MMR and thimerisol really caused autism, the rate of incidence should be vastly higher. Thimerisol has not been used since 2001, yet the rate of diagnosed autism keeps going up. Personally, I think a companion study should be done charting the manufacturing and advertizing of autism drugs and the rate of diagnoses. A case was recently adjudicated onvolving a young girl who apparently developed autism after receiving none vaccinations
There is a great deal of concern in the UK regarding the MMR vaccine and autism. There is no definitive link and the science behind such claims has been questioned on validity and ethical grounds. However it is still a fairly hot topic and (sadly) became very political, which clouded the issue somewhat (it doesn’t matter whether Tony Blair had his son inoculated with a combined or separate vaccines, what matters is the science). http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MMR_vaccine_controversy I am unsure, I haven’t looked into it much as I don’t need to yet. When the time comes I will. Initial reaction is I can’t see any prima facie evidence of a connection. As for other vaccines I am completely unsure.
