While the studies have been plentiful, there’s still strength behind the anti-vaccination movement. Now, there’s yet another study confirming that there are no links between the MMR vaccine and autism.
The question, however, is whether or not this will impact the strength of the movement that favors vaccination exemptions.
Oddly, when it comes to those who subscribe to the movement, fear of deadly – but entirely preventable diseases – somehow becomes outweighed by other concerns. Autism is one of these concerns, despite copious scientific evidence that vaccines are not responsible for the condition.
In 2000, officials declared that measles were eliminated in the U.S. Incredibly, that assessment is now in jeopardy. There have been more confirmed cases in the past two months than in all of 2017.
Despite all the evidence to the contrary, anti-vaccination conspiracy theories still abound. Now, the associated propaganda has become what some lawmakers are calling “a growing public health threat.”
Worse, there are at least 20 states that are proposing new anti-vaccination bills regardless of this threat. The American Academy of Pediatrics warn that these bills broaden the reasons parents can choose to exempt children from vaccinations.
Much of the anti-vaccine movement can be traced back to a discredited former British gastroenterologist named Andrew Wakefield. Though his claims are considered to have been falsified, some still cling to the notions he presented. The fact that his findings were debunked has somehow managed to give rise to conspiracy theories regarding vaccines and autism.
A look at the charges levied against the former doctor by the British General Medical Council speaks volumes. Additionally, investigative reporting also found that many of the families in his small case study were involved in legal action against a vaccine manufacturer. The report also alleged that his funding for the study had come from those seeking evidence to support that action.
Wakefield moved to America and has since doubled down on his claims, becoming a lead campaigner in the anti-vaccination movement.
This week, yet another study has been released to even further reinforce what we already know. This study looked at more than half a million children, as opposed to Wakefield’s select 12.
Of the 650,000 children involved in the Danish study, 6,500 were diagnosed with autism. Those who received the MMR vaccine were not any more likely to be diagnosed with autism than those who hadn’t. Additionally, the researchers found no links between autism and any other vaccination either.
The study, conducted at the Statens Serum Institut in Copenhagen, added to an ever-growing body of evidence debunking Wakefield’s claims.
The question now is how much proof is enough to stymie the dangerous campaign of disinformation that plagues the nation?
