Dispelling the Autism-Vaccine Myth Over the past three decades, there has been a great debate over the statistical rise in Autism cases and a purported link to childhood vaccines, namely the MMR vaccine (Measles, Mumps, and Rubella vaccine). According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), autism has risen over seventy-eight percent over the past decade (Snyder, M). It is estimated that one out of every eighty-eight children in the United States has a form of Autism Spectrum Disorder (Snyder, M). For decades, many research studies have been conducted to try to find a connection between childhood vaccines and Autism. To date, there is no evidence showing any link between Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and any childhood vaccines or their …show more content…
One particular study was conducted to try to prove if increasing exposure to antibody stimulating proteins and polysaccharides in vaccines was associated with the risk of autism. This study looked at the number of antigens from vaccines during the first two years of life. Researchers compared children with Autism Spectrum Disorder to children without Autism Spectrum Disorder. The results showed that the total amount of antigens from the vaccine was the same among children with or without Autism indicating that the MMR vaccine does not cause Autism (DeStefano, F, et …show more content…
In 113 of the cases, they were part of a multi-state outbreak linked to Disneyland in Southern California (CDC.gov). In the areas hit hardest by the recent measles outbreak, vaccine rates were as low as 50% in some areas, which allowed the disease to spread (Sifferlin, A). Researchers at Boston Children’s Hospital analyzed case numbers reported by the California Department of Public Health as well as other regional surveillance data to estimate the vaccination rates of areas affected by the measles outbreak in California, Arizona and Illinois. They reported their findings in the Journal JAMA Pediatrics. The researchers found that the vaccination rates for the areas were somewhere between 50% to 86%, which is significantly lower than the 96%-to-99% rate needed to create herd immunity (Sifferin, A). The study author John Brownstein, of the Children’s Hospital Informatics Program stated in his interview with Time
However, in recent times we know that it is also a genetic factor and environmental factor which brings this upon babies. Matsuzaki states, “ genetic and environmental factors play a major role in the development of autism. However, most cases are idiopathic, and no single factor can explain the trends in the pathology and prevalence of autism. At the time of this writing, autism is viewed more as a multifactorial disorder” (Matsuzaki). At the time of the MMR vaccine was being distributed to children it was the age that autism shows most
Knopf explains, how measles can be a deadly disease. As less parents are vaccinating their children, they can no longer rely on “herd immunity”. The lack of vaccinations can be linked to a direct fear of autism. However, with the
Summary and Reflection on The Panic Virus Amid the ongoing dispute that links vaccines with autism, Seth Mnookin has published The Panic Virus in 2011. Due to what must be the success of the book, the author has re-published the book with an afterword in 2012. The book’s purpose is to provide perception of the truth using scientific facts and evidence. The author’s curiosity and interest in the issue grew after the realization of the suspicion of his friends toward the medical establishment and instead rely on journalism and media.
Those who oppose infant vaccinations believe that they cause a host of chronic, incurable, and life threatening diseases. To start off with the most debatable issue which is that mercury found in vaccines as a preservative leads to autistic spectrum disorders especially since it is given to infants at critical developing periods. According to a study, mercury levels are decreasing in the blood after being given the shot, thus believing that vaccines containing thimerosal which is an organomecury compound are safe to use (Pichichero et al, 2000). According to a more thorough study , mercury is not leaving the body or disappearing but traveling to the brain and turning into inorganic mercuric chloride (Burbacher et al, 2005).In the US, the commonness
The article argues both pros and cons of having mandatory vaccination and the history behind it. Although many argue that vaccinations cause children to develop autism the author insist that there is no evidence to back up this claim. This article is can be used as starting point since it has so much information, and key points that can be used to argue
Along with autism many thought that vaccines caused cancer. Paul Offit, and American Pediatrician who specializes in vaccines, looked into an experiment and explained,“Eight years after the tainted vaccines had been given, the cancer incidence was the same in both groups” (97). This experiment confirms that there is once again little to no proof that these vaccines cause life changing disorders. One of the groups were exposed to the vaccine and one was not, the number comparison was the same so ultimately vaccines do not cause harm. Some vaccines do contain the live virus so it is possible to get the sickness but it is very rare.
Vaccination Nation is about the controversy of vaccinations causing autism. The United States federal court denied any link between autism and vaccines, more specifically the MMR vaccine. Vaccines causing autism has been the talk on news, celebrities and magazines. Despite scientist denying that there is no connection this topic has gained several legal claims against vaccines. This has led parents into panic about autism.
Studies have proven that vaccines are not the cause of mental illnesses. The United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit ruled (3-0) that immunizations do not cause autism in the case of Cedillo v. Secretary of Health and Human Services (ProCon). This ruling confirmed two previous rulings as well that also stated mental disabilities were not outcomes of protecting one’s immune system. The repercussions of not vaccinating a child, or even an adult, exceed the possibilities of catching a cold after receiving a vaccine, which could potentially save one’s life. Immunizations have more positive outcomes than those that are negative.
Julia states that “vaccination is a medical procedure that should have questions prier to getting a vaccination. ”(The doctors.2008). On the other hand, Dr.Jim Sears argues that Vaccination can be related to Autism, but its not the main factor, there are many other factors that cause Autism, where these factors are unknown. Dr.Sears states that “many children get this disease without getting vaccinated”(The Doctors.2008). In his statement Dr.Sears states that preventing child vaccination won’t protect your child from getting diagnosed with
3615: Vaccine Safety Study Act: This bill is designed to have the Secretary of Health and Human Services to perform or fund a research study of health outcomes of the vaccinated population. This includes the risk of Autism in the vaccinated population. This bill’s goal is to find out whether the increase in vaccination immunities given to children is linked to the large increase in Autism. This is to protect our youth from these issues and to provide the best chance of success and help push for a strong future generation.
When vaccination rates were high, measles outbreaks were virtually non-existent. However, with the anti-vaccination movements becoming more rampant, vaccination rates have been decreasing, and measles outbreaks are becoming more frequent. When less people refuse vaccinations, the probability that a person can pass the infection on to someone else increases. As a result, the infection rapidly spreads among unvaccinated individuals, leading to an outbreak. Whereas, if enough proportions of the population are vaccinated, then the infection cannot spread as easily, ultimately containing it.
However, there are more resounding evidence that disproves the relationship between vaccines and autism that can’t be ignored. The study, published by the Lancet in 1998, conducted by Dr. Andrew Wakefield ignited a controversy in the medical world. 12 children believed to have developed autism participated in a study that reviewed their medical histories and evaluated their developments. They were reviewed for any underlying biological/physiological factors that could affect the child’s health.
Again Goldstein fails to provide recorded cases of children developing autism as a result of receiving the vaccine and fails to mention the lives the vaccine has saved. Does not save hundred of thousands of lives or prevent hundreds of millions of people from contracting deadly diseases?(CDC, 2013) Of course it does not. At least not according to Goldstein. Apparently Vaccines are unsafe and should be recalled due to unsafe side effects of death.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimated that 732,000 American children were saved from death and 322 million cases of childhood illnesses were prevented between 1994 and 2014 due to vaccination.” With these given statistics, Parents should be more than willing to vaccinate with all the lives saved in the years past. One main factor that makes the vaccines safe is the ingredients used. While used in large quantities, thimerosal, formaldehyde, and aluminum can be dangerous but scientist have lowered the dosage to a healthy form. Along with using safe ingredients, each vaccine has to be tested up to 10 years or more before they are licensed.
Unfortunately, the anti-vaccination movement is becoming increasingly popular due to individuals’ unfounded fears and imagined consequences associated with the idea of purposely inserting a disease into one’s body. However, despite one’s beliefs, vaccines are essential not only to a person’s well-being, but to the health of those around them. Mandatory vaccinations do not cause autism; rather, they save lives while upholding values of