Experts Find No Vaccine-Autism Link

The Washington Post ^ | May 19, 2004 | David Brown

[neverdem]

Panel Says More Research on Possible Connection May Not Be Worthwhile

The Institute of Medicine, a highly influential adviser of the government on scientific matters, said yesterday there is no credible evidence that either the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine or vaccines containing the preservative thimerosal cause autism.

The conclusion came in an 81-page report requested by two federal agencies to address the doubts raised by a small but vocal group of parents who question the safety of childhood vaccines.

A 14-person panel of experts urged more research on autism but said further pursuit of possible links between vaccines and the devastating neurological disorder is probably not worth the money and effort.

[neverdem]

I'm interested in comments about whether this article, or the NY Times article which I posted before this, is more informative.

NY Times

[neverdem]

PING

[cyborg]

I have a healthy dose of skepticism.

[wallcrawlr]

"...a small but vocal group of parents who question the safety of childhood vaccines"

I consider myself part of the large, vocal majority of parents that are grateful for them.

Polio, etc???

[nmh]

Well you tell that to those who have quietly settled with drug companies who sued because their children contracted autism form their vaccine.

Would you really expect something less to be stated? Imagine all the revenue that would dry up from the drug companies and how unhappy the government would be with less tax dollars coming in. It's ALL about money and playing the odds. The only thing is that autism is becoming an epidemic with little kids and this article is nothing more than a pack of lie$.

[netmilsmom]

I am grateful for the vaccines that prevent horrible illnesses as well. However, when I am required to give my newborn a Hep B vaccine (blood and sexual contact transmitted) and they now require Chicken Pox for kindergarten, they are going too far.

I'm sick of the amount of shots given to baby who have no immune systems anyway. Immunizations are becoming big business. Look at the flu scare last year!

[wallcrawlr]

Like insurance the hospitals are betting something will/may happen to your child....you are taking the approach nothing will happen or less than what they say.

If its no big deal (allergies, diseases, or other difficulties that a shot couldnt be given) I say do it.

And go have your kid play in the dirt to build up some of that ol' fashioned immunity too.

[neverdem]

If these pharmaceutical companies were making big bucks, why have so many simply stopped making vaccines altogether. Home come there was a shortage of the influenza vaccine last year?

Many people, doctors malpractice insurance providers and all sorts of companies settle not because of the merits of the case, but because it's cheaper in the long run because of the cost of the lawyers to defend themselves and the risk of ignorant juries with no understanding of science that can grant outrageous awards.

[nmh]

"If these pharmaceutical companies were making big bucks, why have so many simply stopped making vaccines altogether. Home come there was a shortage of the influenza vaccine last year? "

Gotta prioritize! They make MORE money on mandatory vaccines. They have not stopped making the mandatory vaccines. Flu shots are not mandatory and only one or two companies were making them and they underestimated the demand.