MMR Vaccine and Autism: A Study and Rebuttal

HLTH101 Assessment 2
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Introduction
Autism also known as autism spectrum disorder is a neurodevelopment disorder. This involves
broad range of condition and among these challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviour,
speech and non-verbal communication are included (Campisi and et.al., (2018). Question being
asked in this study is whether vaccination cause autism, this question was raised by Alison where
she wants to get and share information with Emily, who believes that vaccination caused autism
to her brother Edward. In order to answer this relationship between MMR vaccine and autism
will be identified through analysis of different papers. In this paper published by Wakefield is
considered very important it will be discussed to identify relationship between autism and MMR
vaccine. Rebuttal research will also be included in this and rebuttal research is study by Plotkin,
Gerber and Offit.

The Original Research
In a paper produced by Wakefield and et.al., (1998) in which investigation was carried out about consecutive series of children having enterocolitis and regressive developmental
disorder. For the purpose of research 12 children with a mean age of 6 years ranging from 3-10 years were referred to paediatric gastroenterology unit. These children were having
history of normal development which was followed by loss of acquired skill such as language, together with diarrhoea and abdominal pain. These children included in research
were performed with gastroenterological, neurological and developmental assessment and along with this their developmental records were also reviewed. In order to assess
children they were performed different clinical tests and these test included Ileocolonoscopy and biopsy sampling, magnetic-resonance imaging (MRI), lumber puncture and
electroencephalography (EEG) were performed with children and while performing these tests and assessments children were under sedation. Along with this, as found possible
under research Barium follow-through radiography was also done (Wakefield and et.al., (1998). In this research, biochemical, haematological and immunological profiles of
children was examined. All these assessment and tests were done to identify what effect does vaccine have on autism. As result of research it was found that 9 out of 12 children
included in research were having behavioural disorder that is autism. At the time when this research was published it received significant media attention and like Emily parents
were frightened and started to delay or completely refuse MMR vaccine in their children. This paper published by Wakefield was basis for several future researches and reviews
about link of MMR vaccine and autism in children. This is because paper led to several complex actions in which lawyers were likely to take legal action against vaccine
manufacturers on the behalf of children with autism. In addition to identifying link between autism and MMR vaccine, this paper also outlined that MMR can also cause bowel
diseases in children (Dadkhah and Lagzian, (2017). This study when is presented to Emily it is very normal for her to delay and avoid vaccination of her children. However, not
vaccinating children can also put them in danger to get infected by measles virus and vaccine is only possible solution to prevent this disease. Similarly, mumps and rubella are
also infectious diseases caused by virus and can be prevented through vaccine for these diseases. These are infectious and very dangerous diseases and in order to prevent vaccine
is only effective method.