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CNN posted an interesting article on Monday about an increased rate in autism in California despite a change in a vaccine additive which historically was linked to and blamed for the disorder. The mercury-based preservative thimerosal, which was targeted as the root of the steep rise in autism, was removed from the vaccine in 2001 yet instances of autism continue to rise.
Although still used in some flu shots, doctors are seeing this latest data as further evidence which weakens the link between vaccinations and autism. As a casual observer I would see it weakening the link between thimerosal and autism, not vaccines and autism. In addition, thimerosal is still used in some flu shots.
Researchers from the state Department of Public Health found the autism rate in children rose continuously during the 12-year study period from 1995 to 2007. The preservative thimerosal hasn’t been used in childhood vaccines since 2001, but is used in some flu shots.
Doctors say the latest study adds to existing evidence refuting a link between thimerosal exposure and autism risk and should reassure parents that the disorder is not caused by vaccinations. If there was a risk, they said, autism rates should have dropped between 2004 and 2007.
The findings show “no evidence of mercury poisoning in autism” since there was no decline in autism rates even after the elimination of thimerosal, said Dr. Eric Fombonne, an autism researcher at Montreal Children’s Hospital who had no role in the research.
You make a good point…there may not be a link between thimerosal and autism, but there may be a link between other elements in vaccines and autism. Personally, I believe there is a genetic component to autism which may very well be triggered by vaccines in someone who is already genetically predisposed to the condition. More research definitely needs to be done as the diagnosis rates continue to increase. There is a really interesting debate about the possible link between vaccines and autism at http://www.opposingviews.com/questions/are-autism-and-vaccines-linked. Multiple experts from both sides weigh in, and there is a guy named Kevin Leitch who is really taking on the groups who believe autism and vaccines are linked. Really informative read!
A mere couple of months time has proven your post (dated Jan. 9, 2008) to be so completely wrong that you really need to update it!
If you aren’t already aware –
1) Read up on the Hannah Poling case.
2) Read this – http://www.aapsonline.org/press/nr-03-02-2006.php
3) And, read this – http://www.sacunion.com/pages/california/articles/5424
1563 days ago
[...] Rise in California autism rate. CNN ran a story about a rise in the California autism rate despite discontinuing the use of thimerosal in vaccines. Thimerosal had historically been blamed as a major culprit in causing autism. [...]
1583 days ago
[...] This Week In Babies & Kids Blogs Posted January 11, 2008 by evette Found in: This Week in Babies & Kids Blogs Inside Fatherhood discusses and article on the Rise in the California Autism Rate. [...]
I think you make a good distinction between thimerosal and the vaccinations themselves. Our pediatrician only uses thimerosal-free vaccines, though he’s convinced that it doesn’t cause autism (I would have insisted on thimerosal-free vaccines anyway). It’s hard to justify not vaccinating, though – if too many people decide not to vaccinate their kid, the diseases will start coming back. Not to mention your kid can’t go to daycare or school.
1586 days ago
[...] Here’s another interesting post I read today by Inside Fatherhood [...]