The MMR does NOT cause autism.

An excellent study out of England studied the rates of autism and the introduction of the MMR. It is true that the rate of Autism is rising and that this rise is real (not just due to better diagnosis.) HOWEVER, the rate of autism was rising PRIOR to the introduction of the MMR and the introduction of the MMR did NOT increase the rate of rise. They also studied the rate of autism in the unimmunized population and found that the rate of autism is also increasing in the unimmunized population AT THE SAME RATE as the immunized population.

This study disproved the MMR-autism connection very effectively with the best possible study and tools. Perpetuating the rumor does a great deal of damage since it distracts us from the other possible causes of this terrible and debilitating disease. There is no doubt that autism is on the rise but we are wasting time and money trying to pin it on the MMR vaccine.

Kate McIntosh MD FAAP
Benzonia, MI
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