Immunization Newsbriefs-4/2/01

[Guest guest]

INTERNATIONAL IMMUNIZATION NEWS

"No Evidence of Autism, Vaccine Link"

Canberra Times (www.canberratimes.com.au) (04/01/01) P. 8

Australian Capital Territory (ACT) Health Minister has taken steps to dismiss concerns that children could develop autism as a result of receiving measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR)

shots.  stated recently that it was very important that fears about autism did not result in lower immunization rates.  The ACT health minister went on to say that although some children could experience side effects from the MMR vaccine--such

as fevers, tiredness, or a rash lasting a couple of days--early studies suggesting the vaccine led to higher rates of autism had not been substantiated by subsequent research.  In fact, there was no evidence that the three viruses together overloaded children's immune system, and, according to , the effectiveness and safety of the vaccines have been extensively researched and considered by drug regulatory authorities in numerous countries.  Moreover, said, the overwhelming body of scientific and medical evidence supports immunization, because

the benefits of providing vaccines far outweigh any risks that may be associated with them.  Immunization coverage in the ACT is

currently about 93 percent.