Mmr Vaccine and Autism Information Cycle
MMR Vaccine and Autism Information Cycle
Megan Woods
On February 26, 1998, the Royal Free Hospital in London made a press release based on the hypothesis of Dr. Andrew Wakefield, which insinuated that a causal link existed between the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine and autism in children. Two days later, his research article was printed in the Lancet Journal in which he detailed the link he believed existed between the MMR vaccine, gastrointestinal disease and the development of autism. This simple inference made by Dr. Wakefield would create a widespread debate that still exist to this day despite numerous studies having been unable to replicate his findings. Since his original press release and publication, he has since been shown to be a fraud and been barred from practicing medicine. The media circus began after the initial press release with several news sites posting articles on their website regarding the allegations. One such website for the BBC News briefly noted the link suggested by Wakefield during the press release. The article also notes that the other scientist associated with the research were more reserved in their beliefs. The other scientist stated that they believed more testing was necessary before any link could be determined. This was reported one day after the Royal Free Hospital press release, before the article in the Lancet had even been published. One week later a U.K. newspaper, The Independent, reports a scarcity of the individualized measles, mumps, and rubella vaccinations due to increased demand by concerned parents. This high demand had been caused by the earlier reports of a possible connection between the combined vaccine and autism. A spokesperson for the manufacturer of the vaccines was quoted as saying, “If there was a problem with the MMR I think we would be aware of it by now” (Laurance, 1998). The spokesperson also cites their 26-year, 250 million-dose record of accomplishment as evidence of the safety
Megan Woods
On February 26, 1998, the Royal Free Hospital in London made a press release based on the hypothesis of Dr. Andrew Wakefield, which insinuated that a causal link existed between the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine and autism in children. Two days later, his research article was printed in the Lancet Journal in which he detailed the link he believed existed between the MMR vaccine, gastrointestinal disease and the development of autism. This simple inference made by Dr. Wakefield would create a widespread debate that still exist to this day despite numerous studies having been unable to replicate his findings. Since his original press release and publication, he has since been shown to be a fraud and been barred from practicing medicine. The media circus began after the initial press release with several news sites posting articles on their website regarding the allegations. One such website for the BBC News briefly noted the link suggested by Wakefield during the press release. The article also notes that the other scientist associated with the research were more reserved in their beliefs. The other scientist stated that they believed more testing was necessary before any link could be determined. This was reported one day after the Royal Free Hospital press release, before the article in the Lancet had even been published. One week later a U.K. newspaper, The Independent, reports a scarcity of the individualized measles, mumps, and rubella vaccinations due to increased demand by concerned parents. This high demand had been caused by the earlier reports of a possible connection between the combined vaccine and autism. A spokesperson for the manufacturer of the vaccines was quoted as saying, “If there was a problem with the MMR I think we would be aware of it by now” (Laurance, 1998). The spokesperson also cites their 26-year, 250 million-dose record of accomplishment as evidence of the safety
References: Child vaccine linked to autism. (1998, February 27). Retrieved from BBC News: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/60510.stm Laurance, J. (1998, March 5). Child-vaccine setback for worried parents. The Independent. Levy, D. (2010). Tools of Critical Thinking: Metathoughts for Psychology (2nd ed.). Long Grove: Waveland Press, Inc. MMR Vaccine Controversy. (2007, August 28). Retrieved from Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=MMR_vaccine_controversy&dir=prev&action=history Researchers renew call to split MMR vaccine. (1998, March 7). Pulse, p. 7. Stanovich, K. (2010). How to Think Straight About Psychology (9th ed.). Boston: Allyn & Bacon. Taylor, B. M.-M. (1999). Austim and measles, mumps and rubella vaccine: No epidemiological evidence for a causal association. Lancet, 353(9169), 2026-2029.