Wakefield and MMR/autism - did it play into your decision?

[*Ang*]

Simply put - I do not believe that there is a link between autism and vaccines.

I would rather vaccinate then potentially expose my child to a preventable disease that may have life threatening implications.

[LimeSlice]

I believe there is something there, there is a link. Is that a causal link? No, I doubt it. I don't doubt many people's anecdotal evidence of distinct changes in their children immediately following the MMR vaccine though.

Having said that, any perceived, imagined, real or however shakily proven theory on the MMR vaccine causing Austism is not the reason I (we) chose to not vaccinate, and then selectively delay vaccinating our children.

[PumpkinZulu]

I believe there is something there, there is a link. Is that a causal link? No, I doubt it. I don't doubt many people's anecdotal evidence of distinct changes in their children immediately following the MMR vaccine though.

Having said that, any perceived, imagined, real or however shakily proven theory on the MMR vaccine causing Austism is not the reason I (we) chose to not vaccinate, and then selectively delay vaccinating our children.

Pretty much word for word my thoughts on this too.

[wysiwyg]

Yes I did look into it, but I am from the UK and I remember all the hoo-haa there when it came out (I had been one of the first groups to receive MMR vaccine as a teenager so that along with being in my final year of Molecular Biology in 1998 when his study came out meant I paid particular interest).

Was that doco you mention the recent one Jabbed (Love, Fear and Vaccines) - that one is still available On Demand on SBS.

I don't believe there is a direct link between autism and MMR - there have been so many studies trying to find it that haven't, for me the fact that Autism rates have continued to rise at same rate in Japan since withdrawal of the vaccine is one of the most stand out facts. I think in a way is a shame so much money and attention has/is being focused on a link - when perhaps other studies into autism would be more beneficial, or more studies looking at identifying who might not be suitable for vaccination - as we don't need everyone to be vaccinated but for those that can't be, we need those that can be, to be.

[lady_neon]

In short, no, I don't believe there is a link.

I actually know several autistic children who were not vaccinated, so that is enough for me to believe there is no link. And like a couple others said, the risk of disability or fatalities from the preventable diseases is more of a concern.