Study Confirms No Link Between MMR Vaccine and Autism

An anonymous reader sends word of a new study (abstract) into the relationship between the MMR vaccine and kids who develop autism. In short: there is no relationship, even for kids at high risk of developing autism. From the article: [Researchers] examined records from a large health insurer to search for such an association. They checked the status of children continuously enrolled in the health plan from birth to at least 5 years old during 2001 to 2012. The children also had an older brother or sister continuously enrolled for at least six months between 1997 and 2012. "Consistent with studies in other populations, we observed no association between MMR vaccination and increased ASD risk among privately insured children.We also found no evidence that receipt of either 1 or 2 doses of MMR vaccination was associated with an increased risk of ASD among children who had older siblings with ASD." ... [An accompanying editorial said,] "Taken together, some dozen studies have now shown that the age of onset of ASD does not differ between vaccinated and unvaccinated children, the severity or course of ASD does not differ between vaccinated and unvaccinated children, and now the risk of ASD recurrence in families does not differ between vaccinated and unvaccinated children."

Comments

Re:That's the problem with such studies

[Anonymous Coward]

The normal people knew it already.

No, bullshit, sorry. "Normal people" are not sufficiently technically skilled (probably you included) to be able to "know" except by appeal to authority, i.e. trusting that certain organisations if humans properly apply the scientific process. It is therefore even more important for controversial subjects than in general (and it is also useful in general) for results of importance to be verified and for that verification to be published, because each such occasion is an opportunity to bring more people on site.

Do you have many friends who are recent parents? I know several who have asked questions about safety of vaccination, and – with no exception – have been convinced that vaccination is a good idea. But what was convincing is precisely the relentless pursuit of evidence that it is safe and efficacious. Any answer of the form, "Well, we've decided that now, so only an idiot would disagree from here on!" Is precisely the kind of arrogance that not only leads to error, but leads to distrust in scientists.

Bluntly, if it was just for them, I'd say "let Darwin win at least sometimes". The problem is that they're a threat to everyone around them, too.

It's quite embarrassing for you to whine about anti-vaxx pseudo-science then misrepresent Darwinism by conflating it with some stupid 19th century social engineering theory. (Also the kids and their stupid parents are separate people.)

Re:Does it matter?

[sysrammer]

That said the current government has just introduced new legislation that says if your kids haven't had their jabs you lose all child related wellfare. Dependent on your income that could be as much as $15k a year per child.

Good. If I'm paying for someone's kids, I want them to at least have a chance of being healthy.