Claims That Vaccines Cause Autism Revisited

Unless engaged in the medical profession and the health care industry, we parents normally do not pay too much attention to the squabbles of scientists and medical experts.

The Claim That a Vaccine Can Cause Autism

But in 1998, Dr. Andrew Wakefield and colleagues at the Royal Free Hospital and School of Medicine in London published a scientific paper that rocked the field of medicine and have some long-lasting consequences. The article published in the prestigious medical journal Lancet (its abstract can be found here) claimed that the childhood shots for Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) caused autism. Although people normally do not pay much attention to medical publications, this one did catch their attention basically because of the emotionality and the sensitivity of the issue – the safety of vaccines and the health of our children.

The Theory is Investigated

Medical experts have questioned the validity of the findings of the paper. A partial retraction of an interpretation in the paper was issued by some of the authors in March 2004. UK’s regulatory agency, General Medical Council (GMC) conducted an investigation.

The results of the investigation indicate that Wakefield did not follow protocol and research guidelines and may have acted unethically. Some points pointed out by BBC, for example, are:

• Wakefield had reportedly some financial dealings with the solicitors representing parents who believe the MMR vaccine had harmed their children.

• To conduct a study on humans, approval from an Ethics Committee is necessary. In this study, it seems that ethical approval was lacking.

In February 2010, the journal Lancet finally issued a full retraction, meaning that the paper will be erased forever from the published record.

The Consequences of Wakefield’s Paper

• Widespread fear of vaccination against childhood diseases. Vaccination rates in the UK dropped from 92 to 80%.

• Demonization of vaccines even after the paper was discredited by many medical experts. The trend of decreasing immunization rates spread to other European countries and the US. The anti-vaccination movement gained momentum.

• Compromised herd immunity. Outbreaks of once rare childhood diseases such as measles have become more common.

• Widespread media coverage of the issue. Celebrities have joined the fray, adding further to the confusion of the public.

Will Opinions About Vaccination Change?

Perhaps. Here are some possible reactions:

• The retraction will put the issue to rest once and for all. Vaccination against childhood diseases will become popular again and people will forget their fears.

• Skepticism against vaccines will continue. The statusquo remains. Conspiracy theories will come up.

• Parents will reassess their stand on the issue based on the new developments and make wise and informed decisions.

My gut feeling tells me that the second scenario will be the most likely to be. The seeds have been sown and the damage has been done. But my hopeful wish is that more and more people would go for the third one.

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Claims That Vaccines Cause Autism Revisited