The anti-vaccine movement seems to be growing more popular and is supported by lobbyists, networks and social media groups. Vaccine rates in certain areas of Australia are dropping below health-targets, and in some areas vaccine-preventable diseases are returning. The story is not isolated and it continues to be repeated across the world, News.com.au reports on the 22nd of April, 2015:
“Fears about vaccines and autism began to spread after the publication in 1998 of an article by Andrew Wakefield that purported to find a link between the MMR vaccine and autism in 12 children.” [1]
The belief that vaccines cause autism spectrum disorder [ASD] has been at the forefront of the anti-vaccine movement. Many studies have been done to prove that vaccines do not cause autism, and a recent study looked at a gap in the literature: do vaccines increase the risk of autism in at risk children? They do not.
“Taken together, some dozen studies have now shown that the age of onset of ASD does not differ between vaccinated and unvaccinated children, the severity or course of ASD does not differ between vaccinated and unvaccinated children, and now the risk of ASD recurrence in families does not differ between vaccinated and unvaccinated children.” [1]
One of the vaccines in particular focus is the measles, mumps and rubella [MMR] vaccine. It has been the focus of many outspoken celebrities, online citizens and dishonoured professionals. Researchers highlight that there is zero link between the two, even in children considered at risk of having ASD:
“The only conclusion that can be drawn from the study is that there is no signal to suggest a relationship between MMR and the development of autism in children with or without a sibling who has autism,” King wrote.” [1]
Vaccines do not cause autism.
