Autism Speaks Urges Parents to Vaccinate Children

Autism Speaks Urges Parents to Vaccinate Children

Feb 5, 2015, 3:17 PM ET
By SYDNEY LUPKIN Health Reporter

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A well-known autism advocacy group, Autism Speaks, is urging parents to vaccinate their children amid a measles outbreak that has already reached 14 states and infected 102 people last month.

Rob Ring, chief science officer of Autism Speaks, released a statement today stressing that vaccines do not cause autism, and parents should vaccinate.

"Over the last two decades, extensive research has asked whether there is any link between childhood vaccinations and autism," he said in the statement. "The results of this research are clear: Vaccines do not cause autism. We urge that all children be fully vaccinated."

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The myth began with a now-debunked 1998 study linking the MMR vaccine -- which protects against measles, mumps and rubella -- to autism. The British Medical Journal retracted the study in February 2010, and study author Andrew Wakefield lost his medical license.

An editorial published in the British Medical Journal following the retraction called Wakefield's study "fraudulent." Wakefield stood to gain money from his findings because he was involved in a lawsuit against the MMR vaccine, according to the journal. He denied any wrongdoing.

Another study purporting to show a link between the MMR vaccine and autism was published in a much smaller journal over the summer, spurring the #CDCwhistleblower hashtag and conversation.

But it, too, was retracted. The journal said in a statement that the study author had "undeclared competing interests" and that the journal had "concerns" over the author's methods, analysis and conclusion.

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Pediatricians and autism specialists speak out on Measles vaccine


by Nathalie Granda
Posted: 02.03.2015 at 8:48 PM

Doctors and politicians are suggesting parents to vaccinate their kids amid the measles outbreak across the nation.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states there are 102 confirmed cases of the measles in 14 states. The organization states most of these cases are connected with the outbreak in California.

Specialized Therapy Service’s Karen Day works with kids every day who has some type of Autism, and said many parents may be hesitant to vaccinate their kids due to the belief that the MMR vaccine is linked to Autism.

Day said according to her research through Autism Speaks, that study is not true.

”The research shows that the vaccinations do not contain materials that cause Autism,” Day said.

The CDC also claims they have yet to see any negative impact from the vaccine.

“We've had over 1 billion vaccines given. And the study after study has shown that there are no negative long-term consequences, "CDC Director Dr. Thomas Frieden said.

The Department of Public Health said the Measles is a very contagious airborne respiratory disease caused by a virus. The virus can linger in the air hours after an infected person sneezes or coughs- and the department says the vaccine can prevent dire consequences.

“With two doses of the vaccine people are up to 97 percent protected and measles are deadly,” Public Health Director Casie Stoughton said.

Stoughton said there are not any reported cases of the measles in either Potter or Randall County.

She said parents in Texas have a choice whether or not to vaccinate their kids.

“Vaccines are mandatory for school entrance and to go to public school, vaccines are mandatory. In Texas parents can choose to not vaccinate through reasons of conscious and go thru affidavit process and have that Notarized and back to the school. Parents do have a choice. As parents we want to do the best for our child. According to the CDC getting vaccinated is the best way to protect children,” Stoughton said.

Stoughton said parents should vaccinate their kids not only to protect them, but to protect the younger kids who cannot get the MMR vaccine yet, or to protect those who cannot get the vaccine because they are allergic to the shot.

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