Truth sandwich on the topic of safety

Fact: Vaccines do not cause or increase the risk of autism.

Myth: “Autism can be triggered by vaccines.”

Diagnoses of autism have increased in some parts of the world since the year 2000. At the same time, more vaccines were administered than in previous decades. This may lead to the conclusion that there might be a causal relationship between autism diagnoses and vaccinations. However, this is an incorrect conclusion. According to experts, the increasing rate of autism diagnoses can be traced back to an increased awareness, better testing procedures and more precise definitions of autism.

This myth arose in the 90s, when a former doctor alleged, with no scientific evidence, that the combination vaccine (against mumps, measles, and rubella) could damage nerves and thereby lead to autism. It later became known that his data (on 12 children) were falsified, and that he had a personal financial interest in the dissemination of misinformation. His medical licence was withdrawn due to unethical behaviour. His co-authors and the journal in which the “study” was published publicly distanced themselves from his assertions and the paper was withdrawn.

Since then, many large international studies have investigated whether such connection exists. The result: Autism occurs equally frequently in vaccinated and unvaccinated children. There is absolutely no scientific evidence for the assertions of the former doctor.

In fact: Vaccines can be ruled out as a cause of autism. This is indicated by the results of multiple large studies.

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