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Autism and vaccines: Will the debate rage on?

The study that linked autism and bowel disease to the mumps, rubella and measles vaccine has been retracted, the Associate Press reports in an article posted on cbc.ca.

Published in 1998 in British medical journal The Lancet, the study sparked a heated debate over the safety of vaccinating children. Following its publication, many British parents refused to vaccinate their children, which led to an influx of measles.

Even though the study’s findings have been refuted time and again, and lead researcher Andrew Wakefield was called dishonest and irresponsible by Britain's General Medical Council, parents groups continue to speak out against vaccinations. Most famously, former MTV star Jenny McCarthy, whose son was diagnosed as autistic, has been quite vocal about her belief that vaccines may cause autism. In a 2009 interview with Times magazine, McCarthy is quoted as saying, “I do believe sadly it's going to take some diseases coming back to realize that we need to change and develop vaccines that are safe.”

Now that The Lancet has officially retracted the controversial study and three of the researchers (including Wakefield) may have their medical licences revoked, I wonder if views on the vaccine-autism link will begin to change. What do you think? Has this news changed your mind about this controversial link? Have you or do you intend to vaccinate your kids?

Posted by Jennifer Goldberg onTuesday, February 2nd, 2010 - 1:08pm

8 Comments

There are many beneficial herbs to use in fighting childhood illnesses. Garlic, for one, has been proven in keeping up the immune system. I know many mothers who have never vaccinated their children and they have never had a day of sickness. Some of these children are already 12 years old. We need to look at alternatives instead of injecting ourselves with things that don't belong in our bodies, like formaldehyde and mercury!

Submitted by E on Thu, 2010-02-11 4:19pm.

I have a high functioning Autistic son. And I have never subscribed to the belief that vaccines had anything to do with my son's Autism. It is coincidental that the "onset" of Autism and the age at which a child is vaccinated seem to blurr. Unfortunately for the majority of parents, they do not suspect anything is wrong until the child exhibits some sort of behavioural/ social delay and then it takes a number of years to determine that it truly is autism. BUT, it is important to keep an open mind on this whole debate to keep a balanced opinion on the possibilities that may exist to explain and better diagnose Autism. As will all medicine, we must never cease to explore possibilities and ask the hard questions and do the difficult thing. The sad outcome of this particular situation is the ripple effect it had when the Lancet published this story.

Submitted by M Rioux on Tue, 2010-02-02 5:55pm.

The issue of the source of autism is not resolved. The effects of various components that make up vaccines on infant immune systems are unknown and/or underestimated. The side effects of vaccines are real, measureable, sometimes severe and at times are on pars with the possbility of severe effects from the disease. You cannot blame parents for trying to figure out what's best for their children. It's not like they can trust the pharmacutical companies who get free advertising, free distribution and make billions from their vaccines (take H1N1 as example). If you have your children vaccinated, why should you worry about the children who aren't? Shouldn't the vaccine protect them from getting sick? Unless the vaccines are far less effective than we are being told.

Submitted by Fred Nieuwenhuis on Tue, 2010-02-02 4:43pm.

It's interesting that The Lancet may revoke the medical licences with Doctor's that are simply doing scientific research. Clearly The Lancet has something to hide, as they too assume the outcome of the research may uncover truth that they wish not to be heard. I work at a hospital and everybody there says, "vaccinate your kids." It's like biblical to them. But personally, I choose not to. When they are ready to travel to third world countries like I have, that will be the time for them to get vaccinated. I think the children are far too young, when they start vaccinating little ones. They are still developing, and they have enough germs to fight off in the world at a young age, forget the fighting the vaccinations that are given too. And to the person who is under the impression that if you don't vaccinate your child than All children are at risk. Do you have doubt in the vaccinations that are given to your children? Because if you vaccinate your children, than they should be protected from the disease. Therefore, you should have nothing to worry about, right?

Submitted by Ella on Tue, 2010-02-02 4:01pm.

no,because I don't believe that vaccines are properly tested

Submitted by sonya on Tue, 2010-02-02 3:04pm.

you might change your opinions if you watch this banned documentary called "shots in the dark" ..... they should never ban doc's like this.

Submitted by Martyn W on Tue, 2010-02-02 2:06pm.

Jenny McCarthy and her ilk should be tried as war criminals. Those who do not vaccinate their children are threatening the lives of ALL children.

Submitted by Tru Zagato on Tue, 2010-02-02 2:01pm.

That's what the GMC wants! If you want to be mindlessly influenced by governing bodies, then let this affect your decision (which would be foolish). If not, then let risk factors and your child's own biological makeup and health status guide your decision. If anyone wants to understand what took place, many media reports have been compiled in one spot here: www.ageofautism.com/dr-andrew-wakefield/

Submitted by MrMister on Tue, 2010-02-02 1:55pm.