MMR vaccine does not cause autism, new evidence

Main Category: Autism
Article Date: 10 Sep 2004 - 11:00 PDT


According to new evidence, the MMR vaccine (measles, mumps and rubella) is not at all linked to autism. The research also indicated that it is not linked to other developmental problems.

In 1995, 92% of UK kids had the MMR vaccine. Then there was a scare. Numbers dropped to 82% in 2002.

Dr Liam Smeeth, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, study leader, said "We have found no convincing evidence that MMR vaccination increases the risk of autism. No significant association has been found in rigorous studies in a range of different settings." (The Lancet).

Doctors around the UK are voicing concern at the lower numbers of children having the MMR vaccine. They worry that the number of people getting measles, mumps and rubella will increase.

Many members of the public (in UK) have said that if their child catches measles from a non-vaccinated child they will sue that child's parents.

In this latest study, Dr. Smeeth and his team looked at MMR vaccination rates of 1,294 children who became autistic (or had other developmental disorders). They also looked at the MMR vaccination rates of 4,469 children who did not become autistic (or have developmental disorders).

Surprisingly, the percentage of children with autism (and/or other developmental disorders) were less likely (slightly) to have had the MMR jab than the children who did not have/develop autism (or other developmental disorders).

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