Vaccine
Safety > Issues of Interest > Autism
California Data on
Theory of Autism and MMR Immunization
Time Trends in Autism and in MMR Immunization Coverage in
California
Where to find
the 1999 California Report
A 1999 report from
the California Department of Developmental Services showed an increase in
cases of children with autism. A reason for the increase has not been
identified. To view or print the actual report, go to
http://www.dds.ca.gov/Autism/main/incidencrptfinal.pdf
Follow-up
analysis and complete study
A follow-up analysis of the data
published in 2001 showed that there is no association between autism rates
in California and the proportions of young children in this state who have
received Measles Mumps Rubella (MMR) vaccine.
There are no recommended childhood vaccines or any other vaccines that
are known to cause autism in children.
The complete study by
authors Dales L, Hammer SJ, Smith, NJ. Entitled 2001 Time Trends in Autism
and in MMR Immunization Coverage in California, published in JAMA 285,
1183-1185.
Top
Facts of the study
- The study looked at the percent of children born in 1980-1994
and enrolled in California kindergartens who received the MMR vaccine, by
age when the vaccine was received, and the number of autism cases enrolled
in the California Department of Developmental Services regional service
center system.
- The number of autism cases in
California increased greatly, over 373%, compared to only a small 14%
increase in MMR vaccine coverage in children for the same time period.
- If there were a relationship between MMR vaccination and autism,
one would expect the shape of the MMR immunization level curve to be very
similar to the shape of the autism case number curve. This is not the case,
thus the analysis in this study does not support any link between MMR
vaccination and autism.
Supporting
Information
Information about MMR vaccine
-
Printable version of
"what you need to know". Answers the questions:
http://www.cdc.gov/nip/publications/VIS/vis-mmr.pdf
-
Why you should get
vaccinated
-
Who should get MMR
vaccine and when
-
Why some people should
not get MMR or should wait
-
What the risks are of
the MMR vaccine
-
What if is there is a
reaction, etc.
-
Printable version of MMWR
report. Summary: Vaccine use and strategies for elimination of
Measles, Mumps, and Rubella congenital rubella syndrome and control of
mumps.
MMWR 1998;47 (No. RR-8).
ftp://.ftp.cdc.gov/pub/Publications/mmwr/rr/rr4708.pdf
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