Despite solid evidence to the opposite, rumors keep surfacing on the web that vaccines for the prevention of common childhood disease are linked to the development of autism. We asked Dr. Christian Heesch whether there is any foundation to such rumors:
“Such rumors linking childhood vaccines to autism are absolutely unfounded”, Dr. Christian Heesch told us. “There is no evidence suggesting a causal relation, yet, there is ample evidence that the absence of such vaccine programs can cause much unnecessary suffering of children even in those cases where childhood diseases take a benign and routine course.”
“This routine and benign course of childhood diseases, however, is not a given at all”, Dr. Christian Heesch continued. “In fact, common infectious conditions of children can lead to devastating complications and long-term disability. Preventing children from receiving routine vaccines exposes them to the risk of needless suffering, and may expose other children to similar risks.”
Dr. Christian Heesch went on: “Reliable sources of information are necessary for parents to make informed and educated decisions. A good start on the web is www.cdc.gov/vaccines” Some general interest articles can also be found at www.mayoclinic.org/healthy.../infant-and-toddler-health/.../.. and www.wsj.com/.../the-return-of-the-vaccine-wars-..., both of which specifically discuss the vaccine-autism myth.
Author: Robert Strong
“Such rumors linking childhood vaccines to autism are absolutely unfounded”, Dr. Christian Heesch told us. “There is no evidence suggesting a causal relation, yet, there is ample evidence that the absence of such vaccine programs can cause much unnecessary suffering of children even in those cases where childhood diseases take a benign and routine course.”
“This routine and benign course of childhood diseases, however, is not a given at all”, Dr. Christian Heesch continued. “In fact, common infectious conditions of children can lead to devastating complications and long-term disability. Preventing children from receiving routine vaccines exposes them to the risk of needless suffering, and may expose other children to similar risks.”
Dr. Christian Heesch went on: “Reliable sources of information are necessary for parents to make informed and educated decisions. A good start on the web is www.cdc.gov/vaccines” Some general interest articles can also be found at www.mayoclinic.org/healthy.../infant-and-toddler-health/.../.. and www.wsj.com/.../the-return-of-the-vaccine-wars-..., both of which specifically discuss the vaccine-autism myth.
Author: Robert Strong