Vaccines and Autism: What You Need to Know

The CDC website has recently changed its stance on vaccines and autism, causing quite a stir. Before, it clearly stated that no studies had found a link between vaccines and autism. Now, it says that studies haven't ruled out the possibility that vaccines might contribute to autism. This change was ordered by the US Health and Human Services Secretary, who is known for being against vaccines. But doctors, scientists, and autism advocates are not happy about this change. They say the new information is misleading and outdated. Over 60 organizations, including big names like the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Medical Association, have spoken out. They say that medical researchers from all over the world have spent over 25 years studying this and have found no link between vaccines and autism. They want the CDC to go back to the old version of the website and focus on educating people about the facts. So, what do we know about autism and vaccines? Studies from seven different countries involving over 5. 6 million people have all come to the same conclusion: there is no link between vaccines and autism. This is what doctors and scientists call "settled science. " It means that the debate is over, and the facts are clear. The idea that vaccines cause autism started with a study by a British doctor named Andrew Wakefield in 1998. But that study had big problems. It only included a few children, had financial conflicts of interest, and even made up data. The study was retracted in 2010, and Wakefield lost his medical license. But even after that, the myth that vaccines cause autism continued to spread. Autism is complex, and its causes are not fully understood. It is highly genetic, and over 250 genes have been linked to it. But there is no single cause of autism. Some environmental factors, like maternal illness during pregnancy, can also increase the chances of an autism diagnosis. This is why it's important for pregnant women to stay up to date on their vaccines. Getting sick with diseases like measles can be much worse than any reaction you might have to the vaccine. Where can families go for accurate information on vaccines and autism? The update to the CDC's website was not based on science, and that can be confusing. The new information was not vetted by CDC scientists but was shared by administrators at the Department of Health and Human Services. So, it's not really scientific information. Other places to find accurate information include professional medical organizations like the Autism Science Foundation, the Autism Society of America, Autism Speaks, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Countries like the UK, Canada, and Mexico also stand by the statement that vaccines do not cause autism.