No. Study after study shows no increased risk of autism with the Mumps, Measles and Rubella (MMR) vaccine. The diseases, on the other hand, are very dangerous.
Mumps, measles and rubella can lead to potentially deadly complications like pneumonia and encephalitis.
But scientific research shows that MMR does not cause autism. For example, a study of more than half a million children in Denmark showed that the likelihood of autism was the same in kids who weren't immunized as those who were.
So why do some people think there's a link? Partly it's because children with autism are often diagnosed around the same time as they get their shots. Some people assume those events are related — but just because things happen close together doesn't mean they're connected.
It's just like: If you eat a ham sandwich and then get hit by a car. The ham sandwich did not cause the car to hit you.
Another reason is a now-discredited 1998 study that claimed to show a link between MMR and autism. It was led by a doctor who was also receiving consulting fees from lawyers planning to sue vaccine makers. Most of the study's authors have now disavowed its findings. And after a comprehensive review, the British Medical Journal concluded the study was "an elaborate fraud", involving falsified data and misrepresentations to the families involved.
The tragedy is that the myth of a connection with autism has caused real, devastating damage. In 2000, the autism scare caused MMR immunization rates in Ireland to drop to 76 per cent. Measles cases immediately soared to 1,200 infections, compared to 148 the year before — and several children died as a result.
NO. Studies have shown there is no link between thimerosal and autism.
Thimerosal is a safe and effective preservative that has been used in some vaccines since the 1930s. There has never been any scientific evidence that it is harmful in the extremely small amounts used to preserve vaccines.
Did you know? Thimerosal is no longer present in childhood vaccines, with the exception of influenza. It was not removed because of safety concerns, but as a result of public perception.
No. There is no evidence that vaccines cause or are linked to any chronic illnesses, including MS, diabetes and asthma.
No. It's not even close. Vaccine preventable diseases can kill you. Serious complications from vaccines, on the other hand, are extremely rare.
Here's just one example: one in every 1,000 people who contract measles will go on to develop encephalitis. The odds of getting encephalitis from a measles vaccine? One in one million.
The idea is to focus on the right risk, with the more dangerous consequences.
It's just like: Walking across the street and looking skyward because you are worried about getting hit by a plane, instead of watching for the real danger: an oncoming car. Don't get hit by a vaccine-preventable disease!
Did you know? Vaccines are one of the most monitored and studied topics in medicine, because they are given to healthy children and adults — and health professionals don't want to do anything that would make a healthy person sick.
Yes. We take special care to ensure the amounts of every component of each vaccine are safe for you and your child.
Vaccines are made with ingredients that make them safe and effective. Vaccine components are used in very small amounts, and repeated studies show there is no link between their use in vaccines and disease or illness.
Here are some of the key ingredients:
Gelatin – Gelatin is contained in some vaccines. It comes only from cows known to be free of mad cow disease.
Human cell lines – Vaccines do not contain human cells or tissue. Human cultures may be used in the process of making certain vaccines but all cells are removed during the purification process.
Animal cell lines – Vaccines do not contain animal cells or tissue. During purification of the vaccine, all cells are removed. Trace amounts of some proteins from the cells may remain in the vaccine.
Formaldehyde – Formaldehyde is naturally occuring in the human body and helps with metabolism.
Did you know? There is approximately ten times the amount of formaldehyde in a baby's body at any time than there is in a vaccine.
Aluminium – Aluminium is the most abundant element in the earth's crust and is found in air, food and water. Aluminium salts in vaccines help vaccines work faster, better and longer.
Did you know? Aluminium is present in breast milk and in infant formula in similar amounts as in vaccines. This amount is very small and extremely safe for infants.
Preservatives – Preservatives prevent vaccines from contamination with bacteria or fungi, particularly when the vial contains more than one dose.
Did you know? The preservative thimerosal is no longer used in vaccines (except for influenza vaccines). It was discontinued because of public perception, not safety; there is no scientific evidence suggesting any harm from the amounts used in vaccines.
Canada’s 8-step vaccine safety system is responsible for strictly regulating and monitoring all aspects of vaccine development and safety in Canada.
Components of Canada’s vaccine safety system include:
- Pre-licensure review and approval: Data on vaccine efficacy, stability, teratogenicity, toxicity and safety data are thoroughly reviewed by the government regulatory body.
- Good manufacturing practices: Vaccine manufacturers must follow internationally-recognized good manufacturing practices, and government inspectors may randomly inspect their facilities.
- Lot assessment before release: Every vaccine lot must be tested for potency, safety and purity before release, including possible testing by government inspectors.
- Review of national vaccine recommendations: Vaccine safety and efficacy data are reviewed by a committee of independent experts, and recommendations for use are published.
- Post-marketing surveillance: All healthcare providers and vaccine manufacturers must report adverse events, and the data is analyzed and published.
- Response to concerns: The vaccine is immediately recalled if there is any concern about its safety.
- Assessment of serious adverse events: Serious adverse events (e.g., deaths, hospitalizations) are rigorously scrutinized by a group of independent experts to determine the cause.
- International collaboration: Data on adverse events and other concerns are sent to the WHO, from where it is shared with all countries.
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