Misconceptions Research Project: The Danger of MMR Vaccine and Autism
In spring 2024, students in Dr. Emily Stark’s Social Psychology course completed a research project where they identified a misconception related to psychology, conducted both background research and an empirical project measuring belief in that misconception, and summarized their findings in a short blog post paper. The goal was to build student research skills as well as showcase the importance of thinking critically about information encountered in the media or in popular culture. This post shares one of the final blog papers created for this project. For more information on this project, just use the contact page to contact Dr. Stark.
By Abigiya Haile
One of the most persistent health myths of the modern era is the belief that the MMR (Measles, Mumps, and Rubella) vaccine can cause autism in children. This misconception has not only spread fear and uncertainty but has also led to decreased vaccination rates and subsequent outbreaks of preventable diseases. This myth began in 1998 by a study led by Dr. Andrew Wakefield, published in The Lancet. Wakefield's report suggested a link between the MMR vaccine and a supposed new syndrome he termed "autistic enterocolitis." This study suggested a relationship between the MMR vaccine and the onset of autism in children, suggesting that the vaccine could disrupt intestinal function, leading to autism. Despite several research investigations since then that have shown no evidence that supports the belief that MMR vaccines increase the risk of autism in children, the persistence of this false belief caused by misinformation and spread through social media, has had serious public health consequences.
A compelling real-world example of vaccine hesitancy exacerbated by misinformation, including the debunked link between the MMR vaccine and autism, can be observed during the COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia. Misinformation, particularly those suggesting vaccines are unsafe, have significantly contributed to vaccine hesitancy. Sinuraya et al. (2024), mentioned in the study that this hesitancy led to a noticeable decline in routine immunizations for children, with primary measles and rubella immunizations dropping from 95% coverage in 2019 to 87% in 2021. Such declines in vaccination rates are alarming because they heighten the risk of outbreaks of these preventable diseases among children.
A study done by Brent et al. (1999), looked at medical records of 498 children with autism. They checked when these children received the MMR vaccine in relation to when they were diagnosed with autism. They found that there was no increase in autism among these children after they were vaccinated, and it didn't matter when they received their shots in relation to when their autism symptoms started. This shows that the MMR vaccine didn't cause autism in these children. This large study provides significant evidence against the myth, showing the vaccination's safety and undermining the basis of vaccine hesitation based on autism concerns.
Another study by Taylor et al. (2014), looked into the concern that vaccines, especially the MMR vaccine, could lead to autism in children. They analyzed the findings from ten different studies, which included data on more than 1.25 million children.They examined whether the MMR vaccine, or components like thimerosal and mercury, could be linked to autism. After a detailed analysis of studies found in medical databases, they found no evidence of such a connection.The results were consistent across the various studies they reviewed whether they were looking at groups of children over time or comparing children who were vaccinated with those who weren't. This study clearly shows that the vaccines are safe and important for public health, and they do not increase the risk of autism.
From a misconceptions survey conducted by Dr. Stark from Minnesota State University, Mankato, and her students, it was found that 45.65% of respondents are unsure or have doubts about the link between the MMR vaccine and autism, showing that misinformation still affects many people's views. Additionally, 50.0% of the participants acknowledged that misinformation about vaccines, including the MMR vaccine, significantly influences public health decisions and contributes to vaccine hesitancy. This survey showed, even though the science is clear, many are still influenced by misinformation that vaccines cause autism and that this could stop them from making smart choices about their health.
The claim that the MMR (Measles, Mumps, and Rubella) vaccine causes autism is unequivocally false. This idea that the vaccine could cause autism in kids has been proven wrong by lots of studies. Scientists from all over the world have worked with millions of kids in their research and found no link at all between the vaccine and autism. So, here's the real deal: the MMR vaccine is safe and super important for keeping diseases like measles, mumps, and rubella away. Getting vaccinated helps protect not just you but everyone around you, keeping our whole community healthy. Choosing to vaccinate is like choosing to follow science, ensuring our kids grow up healthy. It's all about sticking with the facts to take care of each other.
References
Brent, T., Elizabeth, M., Paddy, C. F., Petropoulos, M. & al, e. (1999). Autism and measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine: No epidemiological evidence for a causal association. The Lancet, 353(9169), 2026-9. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(99)01239-8
Sinuraya, R. K., Nuwarda, R. F., Postma, M. J., & Suwantika, A. A. (2024). Vaccine hesitancy and equity: lessons learned from the past and how they affect the COVID-19 countermeasure in Indonesia. Globalization and Health. 20(11). 1-16. https://globalizationandhealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12992-023-00987-w
Taylor, L. E., Swerdfeger, A. L., & Eslick, G. D. (2014). Vaccines are not associated with autism: An evidence-based meta-analysis of case-control and cohort studies. Vaccine. 32(29), 3623-3629. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vaccine.2014.04.085