Autism is definitely not caused by vaccinations, says Dutch medication monitor
People who have been diagnosed with a form of autism did not develop the disorder because they were vaccinated, said Dutch medical side effects center Lareb. Vaccinations do not cause autism, Lareb stressed in a statement on Friday, meant as a response from a new position taken by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the United States.
“The measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine is often wrongly linked to autism. However, a 1998 study connecting the two contained flawed information and methodologies. This led to a new, comprehensive American study in 2001 that found no link between vaccinations and autism,” Lareb stressed. “The 1998 study was also retracted in 2004 due to fraud.”
Last week, the CDC changed its position on the issue, which previously had been in line with Lareb’s conclusion that vaccinations do not cause autism. But this “is not an evidence-based claim,” the CDC said in its reversal last week.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a member of President Donald Trump’s administration, is a well-known vaccine skeptic. He is the current Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), and was reportedly involved in the CDC’s change.
“Scientific studies have not ruled out the possibility that infant vaccines contribute to the development of autism. However, this statement has historically been disseminated by the CDC and other federal health agencies within HHS to prevent vaccine hesitancy,” the CDC continued.
This is flat-out “incorrect,” according to Lareb. “Numerous high-quality studies demonstrate that vaccinations do not cause autism. The number of vaccinations also have no effect on the development of autism. Studies also show that vaccinations given during pregnancy do not cause autism in the child,” Lareb continued.
It also said the role of medical substances, including active ingredients in medications, has also been studied to look for answers about what causes autism. “Here too, no link was found,” the Dutch office said.