April is Autism Acceptance Month, and it’s a great time to shed light on vaccine myths and misinformation that impact the autistic community. Today, Team Vaccine continues our series on the truth about vaccines, tackling the topics of autism, aluminum, and thimerosal. Read on to learn the truth!
Do vaccines cause autism? No. The science is settled, and the evidence is overwhelming.
The subject of autism and vaccines has once again hit mass media headlines. A single fraudulent study in 1998 set this myth into motion, but the truth is the science is settled. We know vaccines don’t cause autism. Nearly 30 years of research involving millions of children worldwide show overwhelming evidence to support this.
It comes down to an issue of timing. Since children receive routine vaccines around the same age when the first signs of autism might appear, parents and caregivers might think there is a connection between vaccines and autism. But this is not grounded in evidence. What scientists do know about autism is that it is genetic and begins to develop before birth.
What is autism, and why have autism diagnosis rates increased? (Hint: Vaccines have nothing to do with it.)
People with autism think about and experience the world differently. This can include how they interact socially, speak, and behave. Autism is a normal part of human diversity. Autistic people have always been among us, but we may just not have recognized them since A.) they were historically institutionalized and hidden from society and B.) many went undiagnosed. Now, very few people are institutionalized, and the criteria for an autism diagnosis has expanded. Because of this, people who may not have been diagnosed with autism historically might be diagnosed with it today. Those two factors can skew our perception and make it seem like autism is more common now than in the past, but this is not backed up by factual evidence.
Does aluminum cause autism?
Myths about vaccines and autism have also centered on aluminum. Aluminum is added to some vaccines and works as an adjuvant. Adjuvants help create a stronger, longer lasting response from the immune system. Without it, vaccines would not work as well, and we would have weaker protection against dangerous diseases.
Vaccines are carefully made to include only the ingredients they need to be both safe and effective. There is simply no reason to fear aluminum as a vaccine ingredient. Aluminum is the 3rd most abundant element on earth. We are naturally exposed to it in our air, water, soil, and food. It’s even found in breast milk and infant formula. The amount of aluminum in vaccines is very small, and it is quickly eliminated from the body without harmful effects. The aluminum used in a child’s vaccines and present in the food they eat is not dangerous to their health.
Can thimerosal cause autism?
Thimerosal has been used as a vaccine ingredient for decades. It serves as a preservative in multi-dose vaccine vials to prevent bacterial growth. Today, thimerosal is only used in some types of influenza (flu) vaccines. Numerous studies show there is no connection between thimerosal and autism.
Thimerosal gets a bad rap because it contains ethylmercury. That might sound scary, so let’s break this down. Ethylmercury is different from methylmercury. Methylmercury is the same type of mercury that is found in the environment. It takes a while for our bodies to break down and get rid of methylmercury. It’s what all those warnings about eating too much of certain types of fish are about. Too much methylmercury can be toxic. But again, the type of mercury in thimerosal is ethylmercury. This type of mercury is broken down by our bodies much more quickly–we excrete it in less than a week. Thimerosal in vaccines is used in very small amounts and is not harmful.
The bottom line?
Vaccines and their ingredients don’t cause autism. As a parent, you can be confident in choosing to immunize your child. Researchers have already settled questions about vaccines and autism. Now, researchers should be granted the tools they need to research other unanswered questions about autism, which in turn can help us all provide better support for the autistic community.
Vaccines provide us with the power to prevent illness and suffering. They allow us to not only protect ourselves, but our whole community. They are thoroughly tested and continuously monitored for safety. Take comfort in your decision to protect your family and your community with vaccines! Still have questions? Learn more vaccine facts at ImmunizeForGood.com.
Immunize Colorado was formed in 1991 in response to alarmingly low vaccination rates across the state. At the time, only about 50% of Colorado’s children were adequately vaccinated. A group of physicians and other concerned individuals came together to strategize how to protect Coloradans from vaccine-preventable diseases and increase vaccine uptake. Much work remains. You can donate or discover other ways to get involved in supporting our commitment to healthy Colorado communities today!