Fear of Autism May Be the Cause of the Recent Measles Outbreak

On Thursday, July 10^th, FoxNews.com reported that a measles outbreak has affected 127 people in 15 states. This is by far the largest measles outbreak in the United States in over 10 years and pediatricians everywhere are more than concerned. Since the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine was introduced in 1964, measles were virtually wiped out in the United States. Unfortunately, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) in Atlanta warns that this outbreak may just be the tip of the iceberg. Why? Widespread fear that the MMR vaccine is linked to autism has many parents shying away from vaccinations. But are they really protecting their children or are they putting their children at greater risk?

Autism and the MMR Vaccination: Just the Facts

In 1998, a study was released that suspected a link between autism and the MMR vaccination. The study was a small study of 12 autistic children, and while its' findings weren't conclusive; the results suggested a possible link between the MMR vaccination and autism. Since then, numerous clinical tests have been performed and none of them have shown there to be a link between autism and the MMR vaccination and most importantly between autism and the vaccine preservative thimerosal. The Academy of Pediatrics, the CDC and the Institute of Medicine are all in agreement that the MMR vaccination is not the cause of autism. But to be on the safe side, in 1999, the CDC and the Academy of Pediatrics recommended that thimerosal should be reduced and eventually eliminated from all vaccinations. The vaccine manufacturers agreed. According to the CDC, "Since 2001, with the exception of some influenza (flu) vaccines, thimerosal is not used as a preservative in routinely recommended childhood vaccines." Yet autism rates have not declined since 2001, which would lend support to the researchers claiming that there has never been a link between autism and the MMR vaccination.

Even with all the facts out there, parents around the world are suddenly choosing not to vaccinate their children. In the UK alone, MMR vaccinations have declined from 92% to 80%. Even in the United States, more pediatricians are feeling pressure from well meaning parents to delay or even prevent giving the MMR vaccination. With more of the population unprotected from the measles, we are suddenly starting to see outbreaks for the first time in years. In May 2008, the CDC urged parents to continue vaccinating their children to protect against this very thing, but will they listen?

Autism and the MMR Vaccination: CONCLUSION

There has never been any conclusive evidence linking autism to the MMR vaccination and all parents should continue to vaccinate their children. As a society, we need to look beyond the MMR vaccination and try and find the real reason autism is on the rise. If we continue to blame the MMR vaccination for autism without any conclusive proof, we run the risk of endangering an entire generation. In our attempts to protect our children, we must not let our fears get in the way of the facts and our good judgment. While this recent outbreak of the measles will not be our last, hopefully we can get back on track as a society. The real cause of autism is still out there, we just have to look elsewhere.