MMR Vaccine and Autism: More Meticulous Research
As the number of cases of children identified with autism grows in this country, it seems that the number of news items on the subject increases along with it. As you may have seen even on this blog, I’ve covered a lot about the disorder, from its possible link to vaccinations to its treatment in both the real and virtual world, and its link to the genetic makeup of a person. The actual number of cases that are diagnosed are staggering; it used to be that one in thousands of kids would exhibit behavior associated with autism. Now, the US Center for Disease Control (CDC) puts that number at 1 in 150.
It’s the link to vaccinations I wanted to write about today. I’ve read several news articles on vaccinations over the last couple of weeks, and it seems that the argument coming from each side focuses around a previously common component in several vaccines (thimerosal) and a particular vaccine itself (the Measles, Mumps and Rubella, or MMR vaccine). I explored the thimerosal component of the argument in my original autism article, “The Vaccination Debate,” and found that it was a mercury-based chemical that was used as a preservative in many vaccines. Some argued that its use had a cumulative effect in children during their vaccination schedule, resulting in a broad spectrum of autistic behaviors that additionally mirrored some of the symptoms of mercury poisoning.
Though the CDC and FDA have denied for several years now that there was a link between thimerosal and autism, both these organizations and pharmaceuticals that produce the drugs have made painstaking efforts to eliminate its use in all infant vaccinations. As of today, only one type of flu vaccine still contains thimerosal; the rest are mercury-free. Still, incidences of autism is rising. According to Web MD medical news, an initial study of California patients showed a brief decline in the cases of autism, but an updated look recently proves that, in fact, no such decline exists and cases continue to grow. There is some speculation that a small percentage of cases could have been linked to thimerosal and that the elimination of the preservative in the end will prove to be the proper course of action, but it casts doubt on there being a causal relationship between the two. (2)
The second theory is that the use of the MMR vaccine has caused the increased incidence of autism spectrum disorder, and its elimination would be necessary in order to prevent any kind of damage to the brain. In February 1998, British scientist Andrew Wakefield set the autism world on fire with a press conference in which he claimed that the ubiquitous Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccine, used by up to 90% of children in the country at that time, could be linked to incidences of autism based on his research.(1) It was the measles component of the vaccine that was blamed as the cause of the brain damage that he believed lead to autism. His claims sent many parents scrambling to their pediatricians, demanding that the MMR shots be removed from their children’s vaccination schedules in favor of separate vaccinations or, in some cases, no vaccinations at all.
What he didn’t tell the public was that he had an ulterior motive for the failure of the vaccination. According to Brian Deer’s site, 9 months before he unleashed the MMR scare upon the world, Wakefield had applied for a patent with the London patent office for autism treatment through use of a new measles treatment. From that treatment a single, “safer” measles vaccine could be derived for public use. According to the site, neither would have been effectively marketed to the public without the MMR vaccine getting a tarnished reputation.
In spite of questionable motive, Wakefield announced his beliefs in a press conference in 1998 and began the debate as to whether the MMR vaccine was making kids sick. The publication that accompanied his conference in the February issue of “the Lancet,” but it was apparently “peppered with errors and omissions” and has since been “substantially retracted.”(3) Nonetheless, the hypothesis took on a life of its own and a debate has ensued among scientists, doctors and parents around the world.
The medical landscape has been bombarded with several studies that claim to link the MMR vaccination with autism, but equally as many studies refuting the link have been published in response. Most recently, Reuters reported that a new study published in the Archives of Disease in Childhood that found “no evidence of any abnormal biological response from the shot that could point to a link between the vaccine and autism.” (4) In fact, according to David Brown, one researcher at Britain’s Health Protection Agency who worked on the study, “The evidence is now so solid there really isn’t a need for further studies here.” (5)
The sample was taken from a group of 57,000 volunteers in Southern England who had all received their first MMR vaccination, but the second dose, the one usually blamed for the appearance of the disease, was selectively given to different groups. Neither group showed a higher incidence of autism.
It seems to me that British health authorities hope that this study encourages parents to bring their children back to pediatricians for their shots. Before Wakefield’s proclamation, 90% of British children were routinely immunized their children with the MMR vaccine. Following his press conference, the number dropped to 80% and now hovers at around 85%. Because of this, measles has had a resurgence in the country, according to Gilian Baird, a pediatrician at the Newcomen Centre for Child Development and leader of the study.
What does this mean for us as parents? Well, I certainly can’t give advice; I’m no doctor. But to me, the evidence overwhelmingly discredits the source for the MMR and autism link, Dr. Andrew Wakefield, and gives me confidence that we are following the right path for our child in having him immunized. How does the debate make you feel? Is there some kind of statistical evidence that you’re looking for that will help you to decide whether you’re following the path that’s right for you?
There is no arguing that autism is an increasingly prevalent problem in the US and the world, and because it affects our children, it’s imperative that we find out why. As we learn more about the disease, it seems to be more of a genetic disorder than not, though there is evidence that there is some sort of environmental trigger for it. Are we too willing to look for an easy “fix” and point at the most obvious thing, a shot that occurs during the time when the most profound symptoms appear? Perhaps we should be examining other environmental factors, such as food. Perhaps the answer isn’t even just one thing…perhaps the trigger *is* a shot for some children, and for others it’s food, and still others it’s something else. One thing, however, is for certain:
This won’t be the last that we hear about autism.
( 1) See “Wakefield applied for patent on anti-MMR products before unleashing vaccine scare,” Brian Deer, reporter for a news channel in England, 2004.
(2) See “Thimerosal down but autism rising,” Daniel J. DeNoon, WebMD Medical News, January 7th, 2008.
( 3) See “Wakefield applied for patent on anti-MMR products before unleashing vaccine scare,” Brian Deer, reporter for a news channel in England, 2004.
(4) See “MMR vaccine not seen causing autism,” Michael Kahn, Reuters, February 4th, 2008.
(5) See 4.
If you enjoyed this post, please consider leaving a comment or subscribing to the feed and get future articles delivered to your feed reader.
Comments
Andrea,
Unfortunately, I think you’ll hear different answers from different people (depending on whether they believe it’s the MMR vaccine, or vaccines in general, that cause autism). Certainly, some parents will opt to split their vaccinations, feeling it the safer alternative. We did not split up our vaccinations, and right now at least, our son is fine.
I encourage you to continue your research and make an informed decision with your doctor — I hope you’re able to find some resources here that will lead you to a decision that’s right for you!
[...] February, I posted an article about the increasing amounts of research being done with the Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) [...]
Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.
Loading ...
Can’t the *possible* risk of autism be removed by taking three separate vaccinations rather than the combined MMR vaccine? Wouldn’t that solve any concerns people have while still protecting their children?