MEASLES VACCINES AND AUTISM - FACT OR FICTION?

With all of the recent measles outbreaks in the United States, largely caused by undervaccinated communities, we really want to ask ourselves - what causes our communities to become so undervaccinated that the CDC reported 17 measles outbreaks in 2011 alone? Measles, mind you, is supposed to have been eradicated in the United States. Why are people avoiding vaccines?

Autism, obviously. Or, at least obviously to some. With such strongly outspoken proponents of skipping childhood vaccines, or even adult vaccines, we assume there is some kind of evidence pointing the finger at vaccines when it comes to childhood autism. However, scientists don't think there is any such evidence.

A meta-analysis conducted in 2014 by Taylor et. al. reviewed cohort and case-control studies involving over 1.2 million children, looking for any statistical evidence suggesting a link between MMR vaccines or thimerosal and mercury - the ingredients cited most often as concerns by anti-vaccine advocates - and autism or autism spectrum disorder. The study aimed to study the available evidence on the topic by examining relevant cohort and case-control studies.

The cohort and case-control studies were analyzed independently from one another, although both provided the same statistical evidence. The authors conclude that the findings "suggest that vaccinations are not associated with the development of autism or autism spectrum disorder”, and additionally that “multiple vaccines (MMR) are not associated with the development of autism or autism spectrum disorder”.

Okay, but what about the adverse vaccine reactions I have seen, you ask? Well, a vaccine is meant to trigger an immune response. Immune responses can involve aches, fevers, and sneezing. Fevers especially can be a risk to young children. The paper's authors suggest continuing to vaccinate your children but recommend a few precautions to take if you're concerned. Children can be vaccinated in the morning, to allow parents to monitor for an adverse reaction throughout the day. They can also be given an anti-inflammatory like ibuprofen before the vaccination in order to help prevent or mitigate any fever from the immune response.

So, MMR vaccines causing autism? Probably not.