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Kate Parker

Communications

Ms. Levesque

30 Mar 2017

Autism and Vaccines

For years, medical experts have vied with the popular media over the cause of autism.

Autism is a developmental disorder that causes difficulties in social interaction, verbal and

nonverbal communication and repetitive behaviors, as defined by Autism Speaks. Though the

origin of autism remains a mystery, one inaccurate theory has found popularity in the media and

created an obstacle for younger generations.

The belief that vaccinations, specifically the MMR vaccine, cause autism must be

dispelled. The MMR vaccine was created to defend against Measles, Mumps, and Rubella. The

fear that autism is caused by vaccines was first conceived in 1998 when Dr. Andrew Wakefield

released a study that signified a link between the MMR vaccine and certain developmental

disorders, including autism. Once the article was published, it was surrounded by suspicion from

medical experts, as the results in Wakefields study were not able to be reproduced when others

conducted the same experiment. Subsequently, the article was retracted by the medical journal,

The Lancet, when it surfaced that Wakefield was working as a paid man in a lawsuit brought by

parents who fear their children were infected by the vaccine, according to NBC. Though the

research was branded as unethical and irresponsible, many still believe that this research is

authentic and use it as a reason not to vaccinate their children. Wakefields article has created

many problems for the public, and it is time for the fear of vaccines to be assuaged.
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To begin with, there is no proven correlation between autism and the MMR vaccine. A

document released by the American Academy of Pediatrics, used to answer questions about the

suspected tie between vaccines and autism, cited a number of studies that prove there is no link.

These studies examine the MMR vaccine, antibody response to the vaccines, and other variables.

Another article released by the Autism Society, a group formed to improve the lives of all

affected by autism, presented evidence that autism is hereditary, or inherited from the parents.

The article stated the following; In many families, there appears to be a pattern of autism or

related disabilities, further supporting the theory that the disorder has a genetic basis. While no

one gene has been identified as causing autism, researchers are searching for irregular segments

of genetic code that children with autism may have inherited. In addition to these two

compositions, Nature, a scientific magazine, released four studies that substantiated the theory

that autism was caused by genetic mutations. These mutations are created early in a childs

development, before they are born. One study found hundreds of spontaneous mutations in the

DNA of children with autism. There is much more to be discovered about autism and its origins,

but the medical community has made many advancements to further our understanding of the

disorder.

Through Wakefields study and other unreliable sources, many children have gone

unvaccinated. According to NBC News, One in four U.S. parents believes some vaccines cause

autism, though nine out of ten still vaccinate their children. The few parents who do not

vaccinate their children, however, are risking their childrens lives and others as well. In 2014,

an outbreak of the Measles virus in Disneyland caused over 125 people to contract the virus.

Measles, which was declared eradicated from the US in the year 2000 by the Center for Disease

Control (CDC), is a virus that is known for the skin rashes that mark the infected. This outbreak
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was caused by one person who had caught the measles when traveling abroad, and it was spread

to others. If convictions against vaccines had not been as strong, this outbreak might never have

occurred. If the people who had contracted the virus had been administered the MMR vaccine,

they would not have caught the virus. Refusing to vaccinate a child is dangerous and has affects

on others, not just the child. According to the CDC, Travelers with measles continue to bring

the disease into the U.S. This shows how easily illnesses that were declared eradicated from the

country can re-enter and cause outbreaks that could be easily halted if more people received

vaccines.

Though many false articles have been discredited, many people of influence believe in

the supposed link. Our president, Donald Trump, has tweeted about the controversy, saying

Healthy young child goes to doctor, gets pumped with massive shot of many vaccines, doesn't

feel good and changes - AUTISM. Many such cases! Our president should not be publicizing

false information, as it will only create a bigger health risk for our nation. Our presidents

knowledge of autism demonstrates how uneducated many people are on the matter of autism and

vaccines. His ability to influence opinions as the leader of our nation has drastic effects on the

public health system. To be able to advance our understanding of autism, we must first purge

false information from the popular media and people of power.

To halt the spread of false information about autism, we, as consumers, must learn how

to recognize a fake article or a source that isnt credible. If we have any hope of dispelling myths

about autism, we must eradicate the factor that has a large impact on this issue, as well as many

others.

In conclusion, the MMR vaccine and autism are not linked. The speculation that autism is

caused by vaccines has been dispelled, as it is surrounded by information proving it incorrect. If

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we can appease the fears of vaccines, we can avoid viral outbreaks that would have devastating

effects on our nation.

Work cited:

"What Is Autism?" Autism Speaks. Autism Speaks Inc., n.d. Web. 24 Jan. 2017.

"Medical Journal Retracts Flawed Autism Study." NBCNews.com. NBCUniversal News Group,

02 Feb. 2010. Web. 18 Jan. 2017.

"Causes." Autism Society. Autism Society, 15 July 2015. Web. 24 Jan. 2017.
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"Hundreds of Tiny Mutations Linked to Autism." Autism Speaks. Autism Speaks Inc., n.d. Web.

31 Jan. 2017.

"1 in 4 Parents Thinks Shots Cause Autism." NBCNews.com. NBCUniversal News Group, 01

Mar. 2010. Web. 11 Jan. 2017.

"Measles Cases and Outbreaks." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for

Disease Control and Prevention, 06 Mar. 2017. Web. 03 Apr. 2017.

Trump, Donald J. "Healthy Young Child Goes to Doctor, Gets Pumped with Massive Shot of

Many Vaccines, Doesn't Feel Good and Changes - AUTISM. Many Such Cases!" Twitter.

Twitter, 28 Mar. 2014. Web. 01 Feb. 2017.