Child Health – California Department of Public Health Study Casts Doubt On Vaccine-Autism Link

By Colleen Hurley, RD, Certified Kid’s Nutrition Specialist

The recent childhood vaccine recall put even greater doubt in the minds of parents whom already were leery of vaccine safety.  Many skeptics of childhood immunizations tout the increased risk of autism as the main reason not to administer vaccines to their children.  Yet even with accusations of vaccines being potentially harmful, no research has been conducted to prove or disprove this theory- until now.

A new study by the California Department of Public Health found no proof that the rate of autism is linked with vaccine use.  The autism rate in the state of California has continued to rise over the past several years, prompting the need for more research to determine the cause of the increase. 

The cause of adverse reactions from vaccines was thought to be due to a mercury-based preservative known as thimerosal.  Thimerosal is a common constituent of vaccines as well as contact lens solutions, yet it has almost completely disappeared from use since 2001.  Many parents believe thimerosal to be the cause of autism.  The study revealed that despite the disappearance of thimerosal, autism rates still continue to climb. 

In order to reach their conclusion, researchers examined California children’s statistics from 1995-2007. Autism among kids aged 3-12 grew each year, with the highest rate being 4.5 cases per 1,000 births in 2006.  Researchers noted the highest rate occurred in children born in 2000, after the use of thimerosal dropped significantly.

Vaccines continue to be a topic of great debate in current society.  Critics of the recent California study claim researchers did not address the possibility of thimerosal being the culprit in even a small number of cases, or that some children might be predisposed or particularly vulnerable to reactions.  Just a few weeks ago, as Mum Mum’s reported, a recent study found that vaccines have dramatically improved the health of children leaving physicians to conclude the benefits greatly outweigh the risks.  Both sides of the vaccine debate do agree on one thing, more research is definitely needed.  As always, be sure to discuss any questions or concerns with your physician.