Vaccines Likely Not the Cause of Autism Rise

A while back, on September 21, 2007, to be exact, we did a post on the possible link between autism and mercury based vaccines. A new study adds to the existing evidence that refutes that link.

Researchers from the state Department of Public Health found the autism rate in children rose continuously during the 12-year study period from 1995 to 2007. The preservative thimerosal hasn’t been used in childhood vaccines since 2001, but is used in some flu shots.

Doctors say the latest study adds to existing evidence refuting a link between thimerosal exposure and autism risk and should reassure parents that the disorder is not caused by vaccinations. If there was a risk, they said, autism rates should have dropped between 2004 and 2007.

The State Of . . . vaccines. What’s causing it? Is it the crazy California lifestyle? Environmental factors may still play a factor. Lyn Redwood of the National Autism Association says that it is likely that many of the children in the California study received vaccines outside of the U.S. One thing is certain: we still don’t know for certain what’s causing this rise in autism.