Can Vaccines Cause Autism?
In 1998, Andrew Wakefield, a gastroenterologist from England, published a case series where he claimed the Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccine caused behavioral issues in eight children. While this did not prove a connection between vaccines and autism, Wakefield proclaimed his false findings to the media via a press release – against the opinions of study authors. Since then, Wakefield has been discredited by the scientific community; however, concerns still exist among some parents.
Among those parents, are those apart of adamant groups claiming that vaccines cause autism. These groups call themselves “anti-vaxxers” and spread misinformation all over online forums and social media. It is important to understand the facts surrounding autism and vaccines, so you can protect yourself, your children, and others.
Autism is an early developmental disorder that strongly impacts how an individual socially engages with their world.
According to the Autism Center of Excellence at the UC San Diego School of Medicine, Autism Spectrum Disorder is a developmental disorder that affects how people interact with their world and the people around them.
A person with autism may display poor eye contact, blunt reactions to events, or may have difficulty understanding the intentions of others. They may have narrow interests and engage in repetitive behaviors. Language development is impacted at early ages, so sometimes children with autism do not develop typical speech and language understandings.
It is estimated that one child out of every 68 children is affected with autism or a related disorder. While most children today are diagnosed around age three, some early diagnoses happen between 12 and 24 months.
Autism is thought to be caused by differences in how the brain functions.
While scientists do not know the exact cause of autism, it is speculated to be both biological and environmental. It has been observed that a significant percentage of infants and toddlers with autism have early brain overgrowth. This overgrowth seems to occur in the first and second trimesters.
In addition to that, recent studies are linking mutated genes to autism; however, those instances have not been reported as happening often. There also appear to be patterns of autism in some families, which supports the gene notion.
Continued efforts are being made by doctors and scientist to research the causes of autism.
There is no link between vaccines and autism.
Multiple studies have concluded there is no link between vaccines and autism.
Between 1991 to 1998, Madsen and colleagues in Denmark reported the risk for autism in the vaccinated group was the same as for those in the unvaccinated group. The study included over half a million children – 82 percent of whom had received the MMR vaccine.
In 2013, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention published a study on the relationship between vaccines and autism. Their research showed that there was no relationship. The study examined a number of antigens from the vaccines during the first two years of life. The number of antigens was the same for children who had and who had not been vaccinated.
Vaccine ingredients do not cause autism.
Specific ingredients in vaccines like thimerosal or aluminum have been said to cause autism. Once again, this was proven false. While thimerosal has been removed from most childhood vaccines, it is because of the mercury content – not autism. The aluminum study claimed mice showed signs of autism have received vaccines with aluminum. The study was quickly refuted for odd images and data tampering.
While vaccines do not cause autism, there have been incidents where vaccines have caused severe allergic reactions, seizures, comas, brain damage, and more. In the event something like that happens, vaccine manufactures should be held accountable. If you find yourself in a situation where you or a loved one have been injured by a vaccine, reach out to our Milwaukee, WI vaccine lawyers. You may be eligible for life-changing compensation. Contact us today for a free consultation.
