The growth of the anti-vaccination movement is a troubling trend
So much so, the World Health Organisation (WHO) lists hesitancy to vaccines as one of the top 10 threats to global health.
Fears around vaccinations are not grounded in any real evidence. Multiple studies and research papers have come to this conclusion, yet the growing anti-vaxxer movement still endangers public health.
In the latest news, yet another study of over 650,000 children proved what others have already discovered – that there is no link between vaccines and autism.
The study followed all children born in Denmark to Danish-born mothers from 1999 through to 2010.
- The MMR vaccine does not increase the risk of autism
- Does not trigger autism
- Is not associated with a ‘clustering’ of autism cases following vaccination
Why do some people think vaccines are dangerous?
The anti-vaxxer movement took off in 1997, largely due to the work of Andrew Wakefield. Wakefield was working as a doctor in London when he authored a study, published in The Lancet journal.
This study claimed to have found a link between vaccines (the MMR jab in particular) and autism in children. Wakefield’s study was rubbished, pulled apart by peers and The Lancet subsequently retracted its publication.
Wakefield has since been struck off the medical register in the UK. He moved to the USA, where he is also barred from practising as a physician.
According to researchers, this latest study adds further emphasis to previous findings in the way it answers the main fears surrounding vaccines. It is also extremely reliable, involving well over 650,000 people. The 1998 study, which kickstarted the scare, followed only 12.
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