Just so we are clear: Vaccines do NOT cause Autism

The year is 2020. A businessman/TV personality is president of the United States, J.J. Abrams found a way to let us spend a little more time with our favorite princess, and a small subset of the population believes that a simple Google search is more accurate than an abundance of scientific research.

That's right: we are here to talk about Vaccines.

Now, I have no desire to go in to a long winded rant about why vaccines are essential for our society's protection nor do I feel like explaining how they have helped us nearly eradicate many diseases that our ancestors suffered through. You know, that is until Karen decided her kids didn't need "poisoned" by "Big Pharma" so now we are seeing a return of some diseases we have not dealt with in decades.

He is right you know!

However, while I will not spend my day spouting the benefits of vaccines (that is for another article or, possibly, a future podcast episode), I will take the time to dispute one aspect of the issue that annoys the hell out of me. That aspect is the mythological belief that vaccines cause Autism in young kids.

For starters, why don't we quickly summarize where this rumor came from. In 1998, British publication "The Lancet" publishes a piece authored by Wakefield et. al. that detailed a link between the MMR vaccine and Autism development. In a press conference, Wakefield exclaimed that it was his "feeling" that the risk of the disorder is related to the combined vaccine. This one particular study set off a wide-spread belief that there was a causation between the MMR vaccine and Autism.

Now, let's look at three main issues with this belief and why it is such a problem.

1) Vaccines simply do not cause Autism.

Since that one study, the medical community has worked tirelessly to study the validity of his argument. Studies performed in 1999, 2002, 2003, 2007, 2014, and more show no causal relationship between vaccines and Autism development. Despite no evidence showing neurological damage due to the presence of Thimerosal, the U.S.D.A even suggested removing it from infant vaccines all the way back in 1999.

Additionally, due to the overwhelming evidence contrary to the "Wakefield Paper", 10 of the 13 authors on the publication released retractions explaining that there was no causal relationship between the MMR vaccine and Autism. In 2010, The Lancet even retracted the publication after their own studies determined that Wakefield's study was flawed, and Wakefield had his medical license revoked in the U.K. for "dishonest and irresponsible" behavior.

Simply put, there has been no studies conducted that positively determine a causal relationship between vaccines and Autism; in fact, many studies have actually demonstrated that there is no relationship between the two.

2) We do not fully understand what causes Autism

Autism Speaks is one organization working towards understanding Autism

Autism exists on a spectrum. It is defined by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke as "a group of complex neurodevelopment disorders characterized by repetitive and characteristic patterns of behavior and difficulties with social communication and interaction". For most, Autism can be determined early in life (anywhere from 18 months to 3 years), but it can also not show up until later in life. Due to the spectrum, it can also show up in many different ways and intensities.

At this time, neurologists are not exactly sure what causes Autism. The current belief is that it is a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Certain genes have been discovered to be associated with Autism, and signs of early brain development disruptions could also be a factor. While there is no consensus on how environment can affect development of Autism, it still have not been ruled out. However, one thing that has been ruled out by the scientific community is the use of vaccines.

3) Simply put: these people seem to think suffering and possible death would be better than Autism

Is that an overly generalized statement? You bet it is. However, let's look at the facts. Measles is a highly contagious disease that results in 1 out of 4 people being hospitalized. For young kids, it can potentially lead to dehydration and Encephalitis which could be deadly. Polio can lead to muscle weakness severe enough to result in paralysis or death. Pertussis can lead to death for infants, or, in the case of my old camp counselor, blindness caused by optic nerve damage due to severe coughing.

Can Autism be a debilitating disease? Of course. It certainly alters the path of those that it affects. However, most individuals lead ordinary lives. As in the case of Greta Thunberg, her "superpower" has allowed her to pursue an extraordinary life. Autism, even if it was related to vaccines, is not a death sentence unlike some of the diseases that vaccines prevent.

Vaccines help fight disease...not cause Autism

I know of a family with a child that has such severe conditions that they may never be able to live an independent life. Guess what? None of them blame vaccines for her condition because they know better than to think that is the cause. Vaccines, quite simply, do not cause Autism, and there is no scientific evidence to prove there is even a relationship. For the sake of our society, keep your fear-mongering myths to yourself and do your part to protect the vulnerable members of our society

*For more information about vaccines, please visit the CDC.

**For more information on Autism or to help work towards solutions, please visit Autism Speaks.