Virology News

Is it a myth that autism is caued by childhood vaccines?

This blog post interested me because the author talked about actual data and research conducted by the Journal of Pediatrics which stated that over one-thousand toddlers did not portray any different growth factors when being injected with recommended vaccines (George R, 2013). There have been many controversies about the MMR vaccine and the affects it could leave your child that I needed to read more of a data standpoint of an argument. One man simply stating that he developed ASD should not affect our decision on whether or not kids get vaccinated. I believe there should be research involved and also have parents at home researching about the vaccine to be informed themselves. I feel the need to say that some people are ignorant when it comes down to the safety of their children. I know it is in the best interest of the child for the parent to be shaken up by this vaccine leading to ASD, however, if we put into perspective of if they do not get vaccinated what are the chances they then develop other health concerns? This is why we all need to do our research and be informed about the situation before converting to a solid conclusion. The Confirmation Bias can be used to apply this issue to a real life situation by allowing the public to realize that giving their children vaccines will not harm them in any way. Quite the opposite to the vaccines causing harm, not giving your children the vaccines they need can actually cause them harm to their own health (George R, 2013). This blog post does not account for the influence of gender and sexual orientation because it is not attacking a specific group of individuals. This blog is towards parents and family members who assumed that the vaccine would cause them or their children harm. The blog is to make individuals aware of the situation and the misinformation they were given so that they are informed and are able to be given the vaccine. The conclusion of the blog is reasonable to the whole story because it is supported by the facts and the data conducted. The Autism Spectrum Disorder is stated to cause lack of emotional growth and social stability (Myers, 2014). Comparing this to the outcome of what could happen to kids if they took the shots amazes me. Parents are beyond terrified to put their children's health at danger that they are ruining their children's actual health by not giving them the full vaccines they need to mature and grow properly. 

                                            References:

George R. (2013, March). Autism risk isn’t increased by the use of     recommended childhood vaccines | LinkedIn. Retrieved from                    http://www.linkedin.com/groups/Autism-risk-isn-t-increased-1351197.S.227541078?view=&gid=1351197&type=member&item=227541078&trk=eml-anet_dig-b_nd-pst_ttle-cn

Myers, D. G. (2014). Exploring psychology in modules: With updates   on dsm-5. S.l.: Worth Pub.