Changes

One issue in the dispute was that only the combined vaccine is available via NHS. Parents rejecting this vaccine can either pay for single vaccinations out of their own pockets or not vaccinate at all. Although Prime Minister Tony Blair publically defended the MMR vaccine, he refused to comment the vaccination status of his youngest son Leo at the same time.

One issue in the dispute was that only the combined vaccine is available via NHS. Parents rejecting this vaccine can either pay for single vaccinations out of their own pockets or not vaccinate at all. Although Prime Minister Tony Blair publically defended the MMR vaccine, he refused to comment the vaccination status of his youngest son Leo at the same time.

The majority of pediatricians prefer the combined vaccine, as it is less strenuous for the child, and many parents rather have one vaccination done instead of three.

The majority of paediatricians prefer the combined vaccine, as it is less strenuous for the child, and many parents rather have one vaccination done instead of three.

Epidemiological research on hundreds of thousands of children in numerous studies failed to indicate a link between MMR vaccination and autism. Critics of these studies, like the retired intern John Walker-Smith, although a supporter of the triple vaccine, labelled epidemiology a 'blunt tool' which does not necessarily expose such connections.<ref>http://www.vaccinationnews.com/DailyNews/February2002/AutBowMeas.htm</ref> As an example, it is difficult to find to populations differing in vaccination status only.

Epidemiological research on hundreds of thousands of children in numerous studies failed to indicate a link between MMR vaccination and autism. Critics of these studies, like the retired intern John Walker-Smith, although a supporter of the triple vaccine, labelled epidemiology a 'blunt tool' which does not necessarily expose such connections.<ref>http://www.vaccinationnews.com/DailyNews/February2002/AutBowMeas.htm</ref> As an example, it is difficult to find to populations differing in vaccination status only.

Dr.&nbsp;Wakefield gave up his position at the Royal Free Hospital in 2001 and now works for a controversial private hospital in the USA. His continued studies include research on possible immunological, metabolical, and pathological changes caused by "Autistic Enterocolitis", as well as connections between bowel diseases and neurological disorders in children and a possible connection between these disorders and influences like vaccines<ref>[http://www.thoughtfulhouse.org/bio_awakefield.htm A.&nbsp;Wakefield at his new employer]</ref>

Dr.&nbsp;Wakefield gave up his position at the Royal Free Hospital in 2001 and now works for a controversial private hospital in the USA. His continued studies include research on possible immunological, metabolical, and pathological changes caused by "Autistic Enterocolitis", as well as connections between bowel diseases and neurological disorders in children and a possible connection between these disorders and influences like vaccines<ref>[http://www.thoughtfulhouse.org/bio_awakefield.htm A.&nbsp;Wakefield at his new employer]</ref>

===Conflict of interest===

===Conflict of interest===

* In March 2005, a study on 30,000 children born in a district of Yokohama concluded that autism is on the rise (from 46-86 cases in 10,000 children to 97-161 cases in 10,000 children), despite the fact that MMR vaccines were no longer used in Japan since April 1993. The authors concluded ''"The relevance of these results is that MMR is most likely not a cause of ASD, as the rise in ASD cannot be explained, and a withdrawal of MMR in countries where it is still in use will not lead to a decline in ASD."''.<ref>H Honda, Y Shimizu, M Rutter: ''No effect of MMR withdrawal on the incidence of autism: a total population study''. J Child Psychol Psychiatry. 2005 Jun;46(6):572-9. PMID 15877763</ref> Wakefield claims, however, the rise in autism backed by data obtained supported his hypothesis.<ref>''Japanese Study Is The Strongest Evidence Yet For A Link Between MMR And Autism''. The Red Flag, March&nbsp;6, 2005 [http://www.redflagsweekly.com/articles/2005_mar06_2.html]</ref> His point of view was met with little support, however.<ref>I Sample: ''Lingering fears of MMR-autism link dispelled''. The Guardian, 3.&nbsp;März 2005&nbsp;[http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0%2C3604%2C1429115%2C00.html]</ref>

* In March 2005, a study on 30,000 children born in a district of Yokohama concluded that autism is on the rise (from 46-86 cases in 10,000 children to 97-161 cases in 10,000 children), despite the fact that MMR vaccines were no longer used in Japan since April 1993. The authors concluded ''"The relevance of these results is that MMR is most likely not a cause of ASD, as the rise in ASD cannot be explained, and a withdrawal of MMR in countries where it is still in use will not lead to a decline in ASD."''.<ref>H Honda, Y Shimizu, M Rutter: ''No effect of MMR withdrawal on the incidence of autism: a total population study''. J Child Psychol Psychiatry. 2005 Jun;46(6):572-9. PMID 15877763</ref> Wakefield claims, however, the rise in autism backed by data obtained supported his hypothesis.<ref>''Japanese Study Is The Strongest Evidence Yet For A Link Between MMR And Autism''. The Red Flag, March&nbsp;6, 2005 [http://www.redflagsweekly.com/articles/2005_mar06_2.html]</ref> His point of view was met with little support, however.<ref>I Sample: ''Lingering fears of MMR-autism link dispelled''. The Guardian, 3.&nbsp;März 2005&nbsp;[http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0%2C3604%2C1429115%2C00.html]</ref>

* In October 2005, the ''Cochrane Library'' published a summary of scientific studies and concluded: ''"There is no plausible proof for the harmfullness of MMR vaccine"''. On the other hand, these authors, too, criticized the design and the reporting of security-relevant results in MMR studies as largely inadequate.<ref name= Demicheli2005>V Demicheli,T Jefferson, A Rivetti, D Price: ''Vaccines for measles, mumps and rubella in children''. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2005, Issue 4. Art. No.: CD004407. [http://www.cochrane.org/press/MMR_final.pdf PDF]</ref> Cochrane - situated in Oxford, England - is seen as the highest independent control for medical publications and as a guardian of evidence-based medicine by many scientists.

* In October 2005, the ''Cochrane Library'' published a summary of scientific studies and concluded: ''"There is no plausible proof for the harmfulness of MMR vaccine"''. On the other hand, these authors, too, criticized the design and the reporting of security-relevant results in MMR studies as largely inadequate.<ref name= Demicheli2005>V Demicheli,T Jefferson, A Rivetti, D Price: ''Vaccines for measles, mumps and rubella in children''. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2005, Issue 4. Art. No.: CD004407. [http://www.cochrane.org/press/MMR_final.pdf PDF]</ref> Cochrane - situated in Oxford, England - is seen as the highest independent control for medical publications and as a guardian of evidence-based medicine by many scientists.

* A case-control study dated 2008 renders a connection between MMR and autism highly improbable.<ref>Hornig M, Briese T, Buie T, Bauman ML, Lauwers G, et al. 2008 Lack of Association between Measles Virus Vaccine and Autism with Enteropathy: A Case-Control Study. PLoS ONE 3(9): e3140 doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0003140</ref>

* A case-control study dated 2008 renders a connection between MMR and autism highly improbable.<ref>Hornig M, Briese T, Buie T, Bauman ML, Lauwers G, et al. 2008 Lack of Association between Measles Virus Vaccine and Autism with Enteropathy: A Case-Control Study. PLoS ONE 3(9): e3140 doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0003140</ref>

==Literature==

==Literature==

*Parker, S.J., Schwartz, B., Todd, J., and L.K. Pickering. 2004. Thimerosal-Containing Vaccines and Autistic Spectrum Disorder: A Critical Review of Published Original Data. Pediatrics, 114(3): Seiten 793-804

*Parker, S.J., Schwartz, B., Todd, J., and L.K. Pickering. 2004. Thimerosal-Containing Vaccines and Autistic Spectrum Disorder: A Critical Review of Published Original Data. Pediatrics, 114(3): Seiten 793-804

==Weblinks==

==Weblinks==