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

[Arcadia]

Following on from another thread, I'm just curious if you read into or about the Wakefield study linking autism and MMR when researching vaccinations?

Do you think there is a link between vaccinations and autism?

[nickle730]

Erm... this will be an interesting thread! Here's hoping it remains calm and respectful...

Yes, I had heard of the Wakefield study and I did research the purported links between vaccinations and autism. I found plenty of evidence to convince me that the study was flawed and the results falsified. I accept that there are risks associated with vaccinations - there are risks associated with everything, from crossing the road to climbing a tree. In my own risk assessment, the benefits of vaccination outweigh the risks.

I do not believe that there is a link between vaccination and autism.

[Arcadia]

I saw a great doco on vaccines in SBS where a doctor discusses how vaccines seemed to speed up the symptoms of another disease and her conjecture was that vaccines do a similar thing for autism. They might not cause it, but they seem to provoke it if there is an underlying condition. It makes sense to me.

I think the idea of gut health and psychology is also well documented and I do think vaccines can put pressure on the body which is fine in most people but can bring about other problems.

So I think there is something linking vaccines and autism I don't think we will fully understand it for many years.

[Ca Plane Pour Moi]

I know the study. I also know of some rare mitochondrial issues thought to mimic autism in the presence of some chemicals, but feel the evidence does not completely prove it.

And I am more upset with the "risk of autism worse than risk of death/severe physical disability" brigade.

[*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.

[RhiChiChi]

Erm... this will be an interesting thread! Here's hoping it remains calm and respectful...

Yes, I had heard of the Wakefield study and I did research the purported links between vaccinations and autism. I found plenty of evidence to convince me that the study was flawed and the results falsified. I accept that there are risks associated with vaccinations - there are risks associated with everything, from crossing the road to climbing a tree. In my own risk assessment, the benefits of vaccination outweigh the risks.

I do not believe that there is a link between vaccination and autism.

This was pretty much my reasoning to vaccinate.

I saw a great doco on vaccines in SBS where a doctor discusses how vaccines seemed to speed up the symptoms of another disease and her conjecture was that vaccines do a similar thing for autism. They might not cause it, but they seem to provoke it if there is an underlying condition. It makes sense to me.

I think the idea of gut health and psychology is also well documented and I do think vaccines can put pressure on the body which is fine in most people but can bring about other problems.

So I think there is something linking vaccines and autism I don't think we will fully understand it for many years.

Whilst I don't think there is a direct link, I agree that for some people whether it be vaccinations, medications, foods etc... They can trigger another underlying issue/s.

I too hope this thread stays 'nice'. I'm really interested in hearing op opinions.

[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.

[Arcadia]

I appreciate the responses! I also read through the sticky on why people don't vaccinate so I'm aware of the variety of issues that people are concerned with. It is just interesting to consider how pervasive the Wakefield study may or not have been.

[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.

[Ginger]

No I do not believe there is any link between vaccinations and autism. I have never read any scientific evidence to convince me otherwise. In fact, I don't think any exists. The reason that people think there may be a correlation is because regressive autism usually shows its symptoms around the same time as the MMR is given. There is absolutely no proven link between the two. Autism has been around forever.

[~ Mylitta ~]

I know of the study and it makes me cringe. He did the study of vaccinations a great disservice. I have a Bachelor of Science degree with first class honours, and I studied Microbiology, so I understand the mechanisms of vaccines, bacteria, viruses, cells, the "immune system" etc, and I have a good understanding of the requirements of reputable studies. His was not one.

I do however, think there is potentially a link between autism and vaccinations. There are so many unknown side-effects from the ingredients in vaccines and their interaction with our bodies. There are insufficient studies into the link between mitochondrial disorders and vaccines. It's also known that one of the side-effects of some vaccines can be encephalopathy, and one of possible causes of seizure-disorders and autistic like symptoms is encephalopathy, so whilst the vaccine doesn't actually cause the end result, it may set the ball rolling.

However, these are not the main reasons we have chosen not to vaccinate at this point in time. The unknown is this matter did factor in though, as our children are in a higher than average risk group for autism and autistic spectrum disorders.

[beansbeans!]

We knew of the studies, but not it did not weigh into our decisions when it comes to vaccination.

[Mummy_AllyK]

Hi there everyone,
I just wanted to put my two cents in, although I don't doubt that extensive research MAY have a link, I also don't believe that it purely causes autism, why? Because I have 19yr old identical twin brothers, both whom always had their vaccinations at the same time, have the same genetic make up yet one of them has a combination of autism/aspergers/ADHD while the other has none of it. I honestly believe that it has to do with a number of factors and that they ALL play a part. The twin with austism was quite ill as a baby and actually was resuscitated twice during emergency c-section birth, as well as several other things after birth, while the other twin didn't have so many issues.
As I said I don't discredit the research, but I don't think that the vaccination ALONE causes autism. JMO :-)

[HotI]

while i recognise that the wakefield paper was flawed, i don't believe the hypothesis (there is a link between mmr and autism) has been proven or disproven.

i have done delayed and selective vaccination, but i still don't feel completely comfortable each time i give my kids a vaccine. my dd got quite sick after her '2' and '4' month needles, but this was largely discounted by the vacc nurses, which made me even more reluctant to accept their reassurances. she has not yet had the MMR, because i saw some mild signs that could be linked to autism leading up to when she was 12 months, and i did not want the uncertainty hanging over my head of was it the vaccine that caused symptoms, or was she always heading that way.

i would welcome more research into the safety and efficacy of vaccines because atm i feel duped by both sides of the debate.

[CinderToriella]

[QUOTE=she has not yet had the MMR, because i saw some mild signs that could be linked to autism leading up to when she was 12 months, and i did not want the uncertainty hanging over my head of was it the vaccine that caused symptoms, or was she always heading that way.
.[/QUOTE]

We haven't had the MMR as yet either , still so unsure .. How old is your DD hot1 ? Do you think you will end up having it done or still undecided ?

[Freya]

I have a child with autism.

I do not believe that vaccinations cause autism. They may however exacerbate the symptoms of autism and bring it to notice quicker.