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MMR jab not linked to child autism, study finds
By Sophie Goodchild Last updated at 11:37am on 05.02.08
MMR jab: experts say there is no link to autism
There is no link between the MMR jab and autism, according to the largest published study on the issue.
Fears over a link in the Nineties led to a massive drop in the number of children having the jab for mumps, measles and rubella. Research on 12 children published in 1998 suggested a link between the vaccine, autism and bowel disease. Its lead author, Dr Andrew Wakefield, is now facing charges relating to the claims before the General Medical Council.
Today's research, published in Archives of Disease in Childhood, involved almost 250 children aged between 10 and 12, from the south Thames area.
The study sought to test previous research that found raised levels of measles antibodies in children with autism spectrum disorders. It followed 98 children with autism, 52 with special educational needs but no evidence of autism, and 90 children who were normal. All had received an MMR jab, but not all had been given both the recommended doses.
The results showed no difference in measles infection or antibody levels between the groups. This was unaffected by whether or not a child received both MMR doses. The study also found no evidence of bowel symptoms (enterocolitis) among the autistic children.
The researchers included experts from Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Trust, King's College London, and the Health Protection Agency.
Reader views (3)
It's always good to keep informed. Another scientist whose study disagrees with the above study (as do several other studies) has had his reputation and profession destroyed, a bit like the Scottish GM scientist. It's worth mentioning that all studies are not thorough because of prohibitive costs and limited human trials.
- Diana Scofield, Leicester
It is irrelevant whether the MMR is safe or not. Only measles is fatal (or even nasty) for children. Mumps and rubella only become dangerous after puberty. Therefore, there is no reason why children should not be immunised for measles during infancy and leave mumps and rubella until secondary school -assuming that the child in question has not already had either of these diseases.
- Graham, Reading, England
Professor David Salisbury, of the Department of Health should join the rest of the politicians in the spin school - as head of it. The fear was never that autistic children would suffer more effects from the triple injection, it was that the triple injection could cause autism. There is a huge difference and this man insults our intelligence by twisting the facts. The injections can be given separately with less risk, but of course that is more expensive. They can be given in early teens where the child has not yet had the illnesses, and the child will be stronger, but as the grandmother of a little girl who suffered dreadful side effects (thank goodness not - it seems- autism)from the first injection and who subesequently joined her mother in a fight against the child's father's family to cease the injections, I resent this deliberate spin trying to deprive people of the right to health on their own terms. The illnesses are less life threatening than the possible (medically authenticated by some doctors) risks. It is in the same lines as the 100 percent pure bees honey con. The bees were a hundred percent pure but the honey was proved not to be.
- Gill DoloresScott, Fuengirola, Spain
