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Your son is one year old and it is time for vaccinations but he told me that he does not want to be vaccinated because he heard that it increases the risk of autism and he prefers not to take the risk. In the end, do vaccines have anything to do with autism?
Doubt began in 1998, when Andrew Wakefield published a study in the Lancet, raising the hypothesis that the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine could be linked to autism spectrum disorders.
In the end, the study was withdrawn from the journal and the researcher was banned from practicing the profession after it was discovered that he had tampered with the facts and concealed the results.
Furthermore, the trial included only 12 children, almost all of whom already had a confirmed diagnosis, and whose parents had false beliefs regarding the vaccine.
At the same time, an important financial conflict between Wakefield and lawyers involved in lawsuits against vaccine manufacturers, in a battle related to patents and pharmaceuticals, became known.
Shortly afterwards, the UK General Medical Council found Wakefield dishonest and irresponsible, and in 2010, The Lancet removed the study from its archives.
When you have doubts, it is essential that you talk to your family doctor, to clarify the potential benefits, risks and contraindications.
Vaccines go through lengthy processes to evaluate safety and effectiveness and be included in the national vaccination plan.
One thing is certain, vaccines save lives, and have been a huge advance in medicine, with estimates suggesting that they help prevent between 3.5 and 5 million deaths each year, from diseases such as diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, influenza and measles.
Compliance with the national vaccination plan protects the health of individuals, but also the health of populations.
Emily Brontë is a journalist and feature writer specialising in culture, entertainment, literature, and current affairs. She is dedicated to producing clear, accurate reporting that helps readers stay informed about developments in the UK and around the world.
