Vaccines and Autism, Article Review Example

People have often blamed vaccines for causing birth defects or developmental retardation. The current evidence belies this belief. It appears that thimerosal-containing vaccine or the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine are not causative agents for autism.

Studies show that prevalence of autism has been increasing over the last few decades (Miller & Reynolds, 2009). As such, it is incumbent upon medical professionals to find the reasons why in order to curb the trend. Autism is a developmental disability characterized by reduced socialization and communication as well as certain degree of compulsion (Miller & Reynolds, 2009).  In this study, researchers investigate whether certain types of vaccines are causative agents.

Since the widespread use of vaccines, it was once feared that vaccinations might contribute significantly to developmental disabilities in children and for good reason. For example, a preservative in some vaccines, thimersol contains mercury which can build up in the body (Miller & Reynolds, 2009). Mercury is a known toxin that impacts cerebral function.

As such, some studies of vaccine impact on childhood development have yielded evidence that there is a significant correlation between developmental problems and vaccinations (Miller & Reynolds, 2009). Thus, government has limited the use of certain vaccines on children before a particular age and instituted compensation plans for people who seem to have been negatively affected by their use (Miller & Reynolds, 2009). Nevertheless, more current statistical evidence demonstrates that that thimerosal-containing vaccine or the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine are not causative agents for autism (Miller & Reynolds, 2009).

It appears that thimerosal-containing vaccine or the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine are not causative agents for autism. People have often blamed vaccines for causing birth defects or developmental retardation. The current evidence belies this belief.

Reference

Miller, L. & Reynolds, J. (2009). Autism and Vaccination-The Current Evidence. JSPN, 14(3): 166-171.