Autism, or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), is a developmental disability characterized by having difficulty with communication, social interaction, and repetitive behavior.
A vaccine is made up of a small amount of dead or weak germs which help protect the body from certain diseases
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in 2014, 1 in 59 children were reported with ASD and the number is continuing to increase.
Many people wonder whether the increase of vaccines is related to the increase of autism cases. The following are the most discussed reasons of why vaccines may cause autism:
Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR) Vaccine
- Myth: The MMR vaccine causes autism
- Facts:
- Autism is usually diagnosed between ages 1 and 2 years old and the MMR vaccine is typically given at the age of 1. There is a possibility that the link between autism and the MMR vaccine is a coincidence.
- One of the side effects in children after receiving the MMR vaccine is stomach problems. However, there is no direct link or studies between the stomach and the brain that cause autism. (Gerber & Offit, 2009)
Thimerosol
- Myth: Thimerosol in vaccines cause autism
- Facts:
- Thimerosol contains mercury and is used to preserve vaccines. There is no known evidence of harm caused by low doses of thimerosol in vaccine. As a precaution, thimerosol was reduced or eliminated in vaccines in July 1999. Even when thimerosol was removed from vaccines, autism rates continued to increase (Gerber & Offit, 2009)
- Thimerosol does not stay in the body for a long time. It is not harmful to the body
- According to the CDC, MMR, Varicella (chickenpox), Inactivated Polio (IPV), and pneumococcal vaccines never contained thimerosol
Too Many Vaccines
- Myth: Too many vaccines overwhelm immune system which affects the nervous system and leads to autism
- Facts:
- There is no evidence that autism is caused by activating the immune system or infection to the nervous system (Gerber & Offit, 2009)
- Vaccines are always tested alone and in combination with other vaccines
In conclusion, vaccines do not cause autism, as the media portrays. There are many factors that can lead to autism. However, there is no known cause of ASD and still no known cure. (Alhowikan et al., 2019)
References
Alhowikan, A.M., Al-Ayadhi, L.Y., & Halepoto, D.M. (2019). Impact of environmental pollution, dietary factors and diabetes mellitus on Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Pakistan journal of medical sciences, 35(4), 1179-1184. doi:10.12669/pjms.35.4.269
Park, H.R., lee, J.M., Moon, H.E., Lee, D.D., Kim, B. N., Kim, J., Paek, S. H. (2016) A Short Review on the Current Understanding of Autism Spectrum Disorders. Experimental neurobiology, 25(1), 1-13. doi:10.5607/en.2016.25.1.1
Data & Statistics on Autism Spectrum Disorder. (2019, September 3). Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/data.html.
Geber, J.S., & Offit, P.A. (2009). Vaccines and Autism: A Tale of Shifting Hypotheses. Clinical Infectious Diseases, 48(4), 456-461. doi:10.1086/596476