Q: A Boston mother has asked, in advance her toddler’s upcoming well visit: “Does the MMR Cause Autism? Is getting his shot safe?”
A: In addressing this question, I would like to refer you to an excellent and thoughtful review article in a recent Newsweek (March 2, 2009). The article itself is quite short (5 pages), but it has a very long title and subtitle: “Anatomy of a Scare. When one study linked childhood vaccines to autism, it set off a panic. The research didn’t hold up, but some wounded families can’t move on” by Sharon Begley.
Ms. Begley writes an excellent and well organized history in which she explains the scare created by a 1998 British study written by Dr. Andrew Wakefield: he studied 12 children, 8 of whom he believed developed autism as a direct consequence of the MMR immunization. That study touched off a tidal wave of international concern and heated debate–about the safety of our children and the vaccines we give them, and about the causes of poorly understood diseases including autism.
Ms. Begley’s article offers a timeline documenting the international response within the scientific community to Dr. Wakeman’s original hypothesis. She reviews subsequent studies which looked at millions of children. Ms. Begley examines the responses of the American government as well as that of Great Britain. She speaks eloquently of the emergence of frightened and angry parent groups. And, finally, Ms. Begley describes the evolution of the “vaccine court” which has attempted to bring closure and resolution to the controversy on behalf of families and the scientific community alike.
I highly recommend Ms. Begley’s article: it is clear, confident and compassionate. And it should offer you ample information to answer any and all questions you have about the safety of the MMR.
Reference: http://www.newsweek.com/id/185853/output/print
Many thanks for leaving a question!
Dr. Hippo
