Autism and Vaccination: Is There a Link?

By: Maxwell Slater

Presidential candidate Donald Trump made a claim about the relationship between autism and vaccination. Donald Trump says that there is a link between vaccination and developing autism. The quote is here: "I am totally in favor of vaccines. But I want smaller doses over a longer period of time. Same exact amount, but you take this little beautiful baby, and you pump--I mean, it looks just like it's meant for a horse, not for a child, and we've had so many instances, people that work for me. ... [in which] a child, a beautiful child went to have the vaccine, and came back and a week later had a tremendous fever, got very, very sick, now is autistic.". The link to the video of this statement is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hVHGE_JLQ6I. The purpose of this article is to research and determine whether science says there is a relationship between receiving a vaccination and the development of autism; and possibly if there is a relationship between the amount of vaccine given at one time, and the time span of the vaccinations.

Many people are very concerned about the relationship between receiving vaccinations and developing autism spectrum disorder. Studies have shown that there is no relation between the two. A report from the Institute of Medicine saying that of the eight vaccinations given to children, all are very safe. Another study from the CDC showed the same results. This study looked at the number of antigens are received from vaccinations in the first two years of life. The study showed that the number of antigens were the same in those with autism spectrum disorder as those without. There has been no relation found between any vaccination ingredient and autism spectrum disorder. Another study that involved over 1.2 million children showed that vaccinations do not cause autism, in fact, the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine may actually lower the the chances of developing it. The biggest argument of anti vaccination advocates would be the level of thimerosal in the vaccines. In the 1990’s the routine schedule of vaccination was increasing, and therefore the levels of thimerosal children were receiving also increased. Levels of children being diagnosed with autism has been increasing as well. Antivaccinationists assumed that there was a relationship between these two facts, but in 2002, thimerosal was completely removed from the routine vaccination schedule, and autism rates have continued to rise. This has been a powerful argument against the relationship between autism spectrum disorder and vaccinations. Epidemiological evidence suggests that the rising rate of autism spectrum disorder actually lies in the widening of the definition of autism spectrum, diagnostic techniques, and keeping a watchful eye on the individuals than it is the vaccinations they are receiving. In the debate, presidential candidate Donald Trump says that he would like to see the amount of vaccines given at one time, be reduced and spread out. Studies have shown that infant immune systems are very strong. Based on the number of antibodies in the infant's bloodstream, it could theoretically have the ability to handle ten thousand vaccinations at one time. All fourteen vaccinations could be given to an infant at one time, and it would only use around 0.1% of the child's immune system.

It seems that there is much evidence to debunk the argument that these vaccines cause autism. I do not know the reason that there is still so many adamant parents and individuals that believe that they do. There has been much evidence that shows that vaccines and autism spectrum disorder do not have a relationship. In my research, I did find many pages and sources that said it does. I looked at these pages and they all seemed very stable and had good arguments. While there is many scientific studies and articles that say there is no relation, I do not believe we have reached a solid conclusion, as there is so many variables and things that can happen. There will always be pro vaccine and anti vaccine arguments, and it comes down to the individual doing their research and talking to their physician. It seems that there is very strong evidence to support the fact that these vaccinations do not cause autism spectrum disorder, and that the benefits of the vaccinations far outweigh the potential risks. Autism is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder that we do not know everything about. Only time, and more studies will tell us the exacts of hat e have been arguing about for so long. But for the time being, it seems as if the argument that these vaccinations causing these disorders has been debunked.