More Evidence that Vaccines are Safe
Summer 2006 — A recent study published in the journal Pediatrics,
provides further evidence that vaccines are safe. A survey of over 27,000
Canadian children born between 1987 and 1998 showed that there is no
relationship between the preservative thimerosal or the
measles/mumps/rubella (MMR) vaccine and developmental disorders, such as
autism.
The study looked at the prevalence of developmental disorders in children
born between 1987 and 1998. The results showed a steady increase in the
number of children with developmental disorders. The researchers also looked
at the amount of thimerosal, an ethymercury derivative, used to keep certain
vaccines stable, which was used in vaccines over the same period of time.
They found that as thimerosal was gradually eliminated from vaccines, the
incidence of developmental disorders actually increased. In fact, the
children who received vaccines after thimerosal was completely eliminated
had a higher incidence of developmental disorders than any other group.
This, along with evidence from similar studies done around the world, led
them to conclude that thimerosal has no association with developmental
disorders.
The researchers also looked at the MMR vaccine, which does not contain
thimerosal, to see if it could be related to the increase in developmental
disorders. During the study period, the percentage of children who received
MMR vaccine actually decreased slightly, while the incidence of
developmental disorders increased. Again, the researchers concluded that
this, along with evidence from other similar studies, rules out the
association between MMR vaccine and developmental disorders.
For more information:
Please Note: All information is general
in nature and should
not substitute seeking proper medical
attention.
Immunization Program
Boulder County Public Health
3450 Broadway, Boulder, CO 80304, (303) 413-7500
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