By Kim Choe
A leading medical journal has retracted a controversial British study, linking the Measles Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccine with autism – 12 years after it was published.
But immunisation advocates say even that might not be enough to calm parents’ fears about getting their children vaccinated.
The study, by Dr Andrew Wakefield in 1998, sparked an international scare among parents and a drop in vaccination rates in some countries.
The Immunisation Advisory Centre in New Zealand says that it still frequently receives calls about the vaccine.
“Our national phone line takes calls on a weekly, sometimes daily, basis from concerned parents who would like to immunise their children to protect them against measles – but are concerned that it may cause autism,” says Dr Nikki Turner.
The medical journal that published Dr Wakefield’s research, The Lancet, has retracted it, saying the claims in the original paper have been proven to be false.
The move comes after the UK Medical Council found three of the study’s authors acted dishonestly and irresponsibly in carrying out their research.
The council says Dr Wakefield took blood samples for the study from children at his son’s birthday party.
At least 23 studies have been published since, refuting his findings.
Immunisation advocates hope the retraction will put the issue to rest, but acknowledge Dr Wakefield will always have some supporters.
“It’s just extraordinary how embedded this myth is,” says Dr Turner.
“We’ve had excellent scientific data now for many years, and still a large amount of the community believes that myth.”
A statement released by the Ministry of Health says those concerned about the MMR vaccine might want to reconsider their objections in light of these developments.
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