Vaccine risk perception among reporters of autism after vaccination: vaccine adverse event reporting system 1990-2001.
OBJECTIVE
We investigated vaccine risk perception among reporters of autism to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS).


METHODS
We conducted structured interviews with 124 parents who reported autism and related disorders to VAERS from 1990 to 2001 and compared results with those of a published survey of parents in the general population.


RESULTS
Respondents perceived vaccine-preventable diseases as less serious than did other parents. Only 15% of respondents deemed immunization extremely important for children's health; two thirds had withheld vaccines from their children.


CONCLUSIONS
Views of parents who believe vaccines injured their children differ significantly from those of the general population regarding the benefits of immunization. Understanding the factors that shape this perspective can improve communication among vaccine providers, policymakers, and parents/patients.
Woo
Emily Jane
EJ
Food and Drug Administration, HFM-222, 1401 Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD 20852, USA. wooj@cber.fda.gov
Ball
Robert
R
Bostrom
Ann
A
Shadomy
Sean V
SV
Ball
Leslie K
LK
Evans
Geoffrey
G
Braun
Miles
M
D000328:Adult; D016907:Adverse Drug Reaction Reporting Systems; D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000209:etiology*; D003625:Data Collection; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D016013:Likelihood Functions; D008297:Male; D022542:Measles-Mumps-Rubella Vaccine / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology; D018570:Risk Assessment; D014481:United States
D022542:Measles-Mumps-Rubella Vaccine