Researchers Study Common Vaccines and Reported Links to Autism in Children

by Patricia Cazares, age 12

While most parents think that vaccines protect their children from diseases, others strongly believe that some vaccines cause autism in otherwise healthy children. According to a recent study that surveyed 1,500 parents of children 17 and under, one in eight parents refused to allow their children to take various recommended vaccines.

The vaccine parents are most likely to reject protects against human papillomavirus, or HPV, and can prevent cervical cancer. The chickenpox vaccine and the MMR, which prevent measles, mumps, and rubella, is also commonly rejected by parents.

The results of this survey indicate that nine out of ten parents agree that vaccines do protect their children from diseases. However, more than half also believe that these vaccines might have serious adverse effects.

A 1998 study, published in the British medical journal, “The Lancet”, was the first to link the MMR vaccine to autism. However, this study, which may be the root of widespread fear surrounding vaccines, has since been retracted. Medical research teams in several countries are contributing to further explore these issues.