Vaccines don't cause autism, but aren't perfect: Report

AP

(CBS/AP) Autism's purported link to childhood vaccines has been debunked - again.

The Institute of Medicine says there's no link between vaccines and autism and Type 1 Diabetes, as some have speculated. The Institute says they can cause side effects including seizures - but only rarely.

And experts hope the report will finally put a sock in the mouth of the ever-vocal anti-vaccine movement.

"I am hopeful that it will allay some people's concerns," said Dr. Ellen Wright Clayton, professor of pediatrics and law from Vanderbilt University, who chaired the panel.

Pictures: 10 deadly myths about childhood vaccines

The Institute says its vaccine report is its first comprehensive safety review in 17 years, prompted by the government's Vaccine Injury Compensation program that pays damages to people injured by vaccines.

"Vaccines are important tools in preventing serious infectious disease across the lifespan," Clayton said. "All health care interventions, however, carry the possibility of risk and vaccines are no exception."

The report cleared flu shots' suspected link to Bell's palsy and asthma and examined more than 100 other possible side effects, only to find "convincing evidence" of the following 14 side effects linked to vaccines:

There's also evidence of short-term joint pain in some women and children from the MMR vaccine, and anaphylaxis from the human papillomavirus, or HPV, vaccine - but the Institute says there's no proof.

Click here to see more of  HealthPOP's vaccine coverage.

[rogerpelizzari]

Most reporters did not read full Institute of Medicine report!

The report actually admits MMR vaccines cause measles, seizures, anaphylaxis and other health problems. Check it out...

http://www.naturalnews.com/033447_Institute_of_Medicine_vaccines.html

[rogerpelizzari]

Not to mention the fatal conflicts of interest at the Institute of Medicine with its ties to the vaccine industry and the military as reported in today's NaturalNews article.

http://www.naturalnews.com/033455_Institute_of_Medicine_vaccines.html

[firedmeup]

If you choose to vaccinate your children, I hope you are ready to live off your land, plant a garden, get some animals, fend for yourself...because the government has or will have not a penny left for your disabled child. The waiting lists are high and the services few, you don't want this life. You better pray your child's brain isn't inflammed so bad, his or her amygdala isn't shriveled like a raisin because if it is, there will be a lashing out. When the child gets old enough, you will wonder who will take care of him or her and who will help you. There will be a great silence.

[Headlines5]

Headlines are misleading, but that might be the point here.

Autism is diagnosed by an observation of behaviors. CDC's info: ,http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/hcp-dsm.html

Section from article: "only to find "convincing evidence" of the following 14 side effects linked to vaccines:

*

Fever-triggered seizures from the measles-mumps-rubella, or MMR, vaccine - which rarely cause long-term consequences
*

Brain inflammation in some people with immune problems, also from MMR
*

Viral infection from the chickenpox varicella vaccine resulting in widespread chickenpox or its painful relative, shingles.

* Pneumonia, hepatitis or meningitis, occasionally results from varicella vaccine"


Not all, but a number of these side effects can result in the observations of behaviors that become diagnosed as Autism. The science is not there to prove vaccines cause Autism, but it certainly is not there to prove they do not. ubiquitousnewt makes the point well. I think this quote shows the lack of rigor/honesty in the studies on all sides, "The Institute says its vaccine report is its first comprehensive safety review in 17 years" Really, the first comprehensive study in 17 years... ? I think this is why people say, "One size does not fit all" and are skeptical on this issue.

[johnrf]

The anti-vaccine folks always know of someone who had something horrible happen after a shot. Sad, but a polio or smallpox epidemic would be far worse.

And of course this study will do little to silence the Jenny McCarthy movement since we now live in a country where science is looked at as if it were a religion.

[ubiquitousnewt]

I'm a cell-function biological sciences grad student with an emphasis on chemistry. Autism, you may or may not be aware, is widely considered an immunological, possibly auto-immune disorder. That's extablished; there are concrete studies and peer-reviwed articles, it's pretty much a sure thing.

"Pro vaccine" people like to point at the industry taking the thimerosol out and saying "Look! No more mercury, but there's still autism! Obviously the vaccine/autism link doesn't exist!" Uh...no. No, the vaccine is still in the vaccine, have you ever considered that?

If this "panel report" has a new study affiliated with it, I want a link; otherwise it's hot air rehashing the same propaganda. Last I checked - and this is a biggie... there has been precisely zero comparitive studies of autism rates between vaccinated and unvaccinated children. Explain that one, hm? It would put this debate to rest instantly, so why haven't they done it?

[sam_38]

So what does cause autism? Current research is trying to find out. If you live in Maryland, Pennsylvania, or Northern California and have at least one child with an autism spectrum disorder and are pregnant or may become pregnant, you may qualify to participate in a research study and receive free autism screenings for the new baby till age three. See http://www.earlistudy.org/Participation/17/

http://www.earlistudy.org/Participation/17/

[AgentDuke]

@Former_Marine_Sgt. I don't think it will take long. There are those unfortunate few grief-stricken parents who will not stop until they find someone to blame. Instead, all they are doing is diluting the goodwill of those who truly want to help or comfort them with their rhetoric.

[ubiquitousnewt]

You may sign me up. I'm a skeptic of anyone who claims to be "absolutely sure" of anything, including the massive undertaking that is involved in attempting to prove a negative.

I have no kids, I still think vaccines are the lesser evil in the long run...but I have yet to see what I consider good, rigorously scientific evidence that there is no link. Instead what we're seeing is almost anectdotal efforts by the vaccine industry to "prove" there's no link, while not doing any actual studies. (ie, "We took the thimerosol out and there's still autism, so obviously there's no connection.") Like I said - if they're *so sure* there's no link, let's see that comparative study between vaccinated & vaccinated kids. Don't hold your breath waiting, especially on it happening here in the USA.

[Former_Marine_Sgt]

I wonder how many seconds it will be before the anti-vaccine crowd appears and starts spewing thier non-scientific, 'I heard it from a friend of a friend who said xxxxxx' diatribes against vaccines.

[popcares]

The "anti-vaccine crowd" will respond as they have done for the past decade .. do an independent "scientific" study of "vaccinated vs. unvaccinated" populations .. to ascertain .. once and for all .. if BOTH populations have suffered the same .. inexplicable, dramatic increase in chronic autoimmune disorders that were far less common in ALL previous .. LESS vaccinated generations.

Do you agree such a "scientifice" study should be done to prove vaccines are as "safe and harmless" as YOU believe them to be?

[montyzoo]

I did a simple search because I was curious why no studies have been made of children who have NOT been vaccinated. Seems like that study would clearly establish whether giving young children hordes of vaccines,is destroying their developing immune systems and wrecking their brains due to brain inflammation, because non-vaccinated children would not be suffering from those problems.
You casn duplicate my search in Google or wherever. Type in "Amish children with autism."
Turned out a man nameed Don Olmsted (not sure that is correct spelling) of UPI.com actually went into the Amish community and asked that very question. What he found was a very clear picture of what is really going on. The Amish do not permit their children to be vaccinated...and I won't spoil things for you by telling you how Amish children are doing, I'll let you read it for yourself.