Vaccines and autism: evidence does not support a causal association.
A suggested association between certain childhood vaccines and autism has been one of the most contentious vaccine safety controversies in recent years. Despite compelling scientific evidence against a causal association, many parents and parent advocacy groups continue to suspect that vaccines, particularly measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine and thimerosal-containing vaccines (TCVs), can cause autism.
DeStefano
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Statistics and Epidemiology Unit, RTI International, Atlanta, Georgia, USA. fdestefano@rti.org
D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000453:epidemiology; D002487:Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S.; D003718:Denmark / Q000453:epidemiology; D016021:Epidemiologic Studies; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D022542:Measles-Mumps-Rubella Vaccine / Q000009:adverse effects*; D017669:Mercury Compounds / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011310:Preservatives, Pharmaceutical / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013849:Thimerosal / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014486:United States Food and Drug Administration
D022542:Measles-Mumps-Rubella Vaccine; D017669:Mercury Compounds; D011310:Preservatives, Pharmaceutical; D013849:Thimerosal