Andrew Wakefield published a study in 1998 that discussed a supposed link between the MMR vaccine and autism rates, which has since been retracted. His study included 12 patients, which Wakefield claims in his study were from a pediatric gastroenterology unit with “chronic enterocolitis and regressive developmental disorder.” However, since further investigation into this study, it was found that these patients were actually specifically selected. This shows that this study’s results were not going to be accurate since the involved patients were not randomly chosen. Following the release of this study conducted by Wakefield there has also been millions of dollars poured into either disproving or further proving Wakefields findings. However, there has been no large scale study that has verified or been able to replicate Wakefield’s findings. In addition, underlying motives were found in regard to the publication of this case, due to the fact that this study was funded by “lawyers acting for parents who were involved in lawsuits against vaccine manufacturers.” This shows that Wakefield had a purpose when he conducted this study, and likely, it was to discredit vaccines and go against vaccine manufacturers.
What were the results of Wakefield’s study being published?
Given advances in world of medicine, many vaccines have been created that can successfully prevent diseases, one of them being the MMR vaccine that prevents the Mumps, Measles and Rubella . Following the publication of studies such as Wakefield’s, some parents have grown exponentially more concerned about the potential affects of vaccines, specifically the MMR vaccine on their children’s well-being. This is not to say that all parents around the world have stopped vaccinating their kids. However, there has been a decline in vaccination of children in places such as the UK. The hesitancy that parent’s have towards the MMR vaccination, is essentially unjust. There have been large scale studies such as one conducted in Denmark that included 537,303 children born between 1991-1998. The results showed that there was no link between the MMR vaccine and autism, and that children who do and don’t receive the vaccine are at equal risk of having autism. This study also showed that there’s no link between the age at which a child gets the vaccine and autism. This is substantial evidence that there should be no reason to fear autism in children who receive the MMR vaccine.
What was the public response to substantial evidence against the link between MMR and Autism?
Despite the countless evidence against the link between the MMR vaccine, there is still a lot of hesitancy when it comes to vaccines. The declines in vaccination have resulted in several Measles outbreaks. There was one in Disneyland in 2015, and one in Minnesota in 2017. In addition, there have been five reported in 2019. This shows that the declines in individuals getting the MMR vaccine is very unsafe. Those who are able to get vaccinated and don’t can give these diseases to those who are immunocompromised and cannot get the vaccine yet, such as infants and older people. This situation is interesting, because it shows how one publication can completely change the public’s outlook on the safety of vaccinations. In order to move towards herd immunity, and to protect the immunocompromised, people must get the MMR vaccine.
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