February 26, 2003

Newsfeed: Stanford Shulman

Stanford Shulman discusses the relationship between vaccines and autism

The Institute of Medicine has examined studies that cast doubt on the possible link between vaccines and autism. Stanford Shulman, professor of pediatrics, says vaccines used to contain trace amounts of mercury, which has been blamed by some for rising numbers of autism cases.

Vaccines have contained trace amounts of thimerosal, a chemical preservative which contains mercury. Vaccine manufacturers have worked very hard in the last three or four years to eliminate or minimize the amount of thimerosal in the vaccine preparations. At present, almost all vaccines are free of mercury. So this is not really an issue.

Shulman believes there is no convincing evidence vaccines are related to autism.

The Institute of Medicine has carefully evaluated all the evidence and has concluded there really is no evidence that vaccines are related to autism. It’s very important for parents to recognize that millions of lives have been saved through effective vaccination programs. It’s also important for parents to go forward and have their children vaccinated.

Shulman says the cause of autism is unknown.

Autism is a neurodevelopmental problem that appears in children around one or two years of age. They have problems interacting with folks in their environment and the cause is unknown. There are some genetic factors thought to be present. There’s a lot we don’t yet understand.

Shulman says new diagnosis criteria could account for the rise in autism cases.

The number of children with autism seems to have grown over the last decade. There’s been some change in the definition used to classify children as autistic over this period. To some considerable degree, that definition change seems to account for what is an increased number of cases.

Shulman says vaccines do, however, carry some small risks.

Like any medication, vaccines have some potential side effects. Some vaccines cause fever and other, more uncommon, reactions. Nothing is completely risk free. But in terms of a serious medical issue such as autism, there is simply no connection.

— Ginny Gelms