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Mod 5 Vaccines and Autism

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Vaccines and Autism

For many years, we have been hearing both the positives and negatives regarding the connection between vaccines and autism. The controversy stems from a publication by Andrew Wakefield, an anti-vaccination activist. In 1989, he published a paper suggesting that the MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) vaccine was linked to autism in children, which was ultimately false information that led to the revocation of his medical license. Following the release of his publication, many parents began to think it might not be wise to vaccinate their children, fearing it could lead to autism.

The implications of this false publication had instilled fear in many parents, leading them to decide against vaccinating their children, thereby putting them at risk of contracting measles. Measles was a significant issue in 2008 and 2009 in the UK, USA, and Canada, attributed to unvaccinated children. This situation was particularly concerning to doctors, as they observed unvaccinated children falling ill, which could’ve led to a pandemic during that time.

I know about the scarcity of vaccinated children because it has been a topic in my family. When my older brother had his first child, he and his wife were opposed to vaccinating their son to protect him from autism, as she had been hearing such concerns from others. However, this decision meant he could not attend the available traditional preschools because he was unvaccinated. After doing their research and with support from their pediatrician, she reassured them and suggested that my nephew receive his vaccinations in waves rather than all at once.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as well as many other health organizations worldwide, issued statements and documentation stating that there is no connection between vaccines and Autism. They did this by having thousands of children worldwide tested and studied extensively, and they found no connection between the two. The American Academy of Pediatrics was given guidelines on talking to parents concerned about getting their children the MMR vaccine. They had to do some damage control and release the false findings that Wakefield had stated and that he and his colleagues were incorrect in their conclusions. They went as far as the court, revoking his license and publication.

Many parents still believe there is a connection between the two and have chosen not to vaccinate their children, leading to a decline in the percentage of vaccinated children in 2021. However, many parents are choosing to vaccinate their children, aided by education from the CDC, which has implemented guidelines and extended vaccination shots to the age of three, allowing the child’s body to acclimate. Some states do not require children to receive the vaccine to enter school. Many childcare facilities and schools will not admit children until vaccinated, increasing vaccination rates. I believe this discussion will not have a completion date due to the parent’s right to protect their children.