title: Vaccine risk perception among reporters of autism after vaccination: vaccine adverse event reporting system 1990-2001.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Food and Drug Administration, HFM-222, 1401 Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD 20852, USA. wooj@cber.fda.gov
authors.forename: Emily Jane
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Woo
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ball
authors.forename: Ann
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bostrom
authors.forename: Sean V
authors.initials: SV
authors.lastname: Shadomy
authors.forename: Leslie K
authors.initials: LK
authors.lastname: Ball
authors.forename: Geoffrey
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Evans
authors.forename: Miles
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Braun
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D022542:Measles-Mumps-Rubella Vaccine