Parents always want the best for their children, especially when it comes to their child’s health and well-being. Making the decision of whether to vaccinate a child is a matter that all parents are required to face. A vaccine that has fallen into this controversy amongst parents is the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine, which is also known as the “MMR.” The measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine has demonstrated throughout various studies and experiments that it does not cause onsets of autism spectrum disorder, also known as “ASD.” Children should obtain the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine because of the many benefits they can gain from receiving the vaccination. 

In 1967, the vaccination program for mumps in the United States launched (Scutti). The success and efficiency of this program was demonstrated when the number of mumps cases depleted to less than one percent of its previous value in following years (Scutti). However, fright about the MMR vaccine and its relation to an onset of ASD was first introduced to parents in 1998 (Kaplan). Dr. Andrew Wakefield, a researcher from Great Britain, conveyed this information in a paper (Kaplan). The paper contained information about a study of twelve different children that were autistic and received the MMR vaccine (MMR Vaccine Does Not Cause Autism). Dr. Wakefield’s paper claimed that the MMR vaccine “causes, triggers, or exacerbates symptoms associated with autism” (Largent 94). Ever since Dr. Wakefield’s paper was published, the controversy around the MMR vaccine has not died down (Brody).

The studies and results from Dr. Wakefield’s paper naturally spawned many additional studies that aimed to see if his hypothesis was valid or not. These studies were conducted in many different parts of the world. This confirms that the controversy between the MMR vaccine and its relation to autism is not limited to one specific location, but relevant in many parts of the world. The article “No link Between MMR Vaccine and ASD” from the Australian Journal of Herbal Medicine presented copious amounts of research had been performed to address Dr. Wakefield’s claim and none of the research showed any possible relation between the MMR vaccine and ASD. Furthermore, the article goes on to express that there also is no “increased risk” of developing ASD from the MMR vaccine at “any age” (“No link Between MMR Vaccine and Autism). A specific scientific study that explored the possible relationship between receiving the MMR vaccine at an early age and ASD was a Japanese study (Uno). The study consisted of measurements of the MMR vaccination in the “Japanese population” and the onsets of ASD associated with its recipients (Uno). The vaccination records were obtained from “highly reliable data” records “of early development, health, and immunization” (Uno). This helps in establishing that accurate and concrete data was provided for the study, which in turn ensures credibility. A unique aspect of this study was that the participants were not only Caucasians but were Japanese people as well. This gives a perspective on how different ethnicities and races could be affected by the MMR vaccine (Uno). The results of the study proved that “statistical differences in the rate of vaccinations could not be detected” (Uno). One of “the most recent Cochrane systematic reviews of research on the MMR vaccine” had results of vaccines not causing onsets of autism (Carroll). The sample for this study differed a lot from the previous study because “more than 15 million children took part” in the study (Carroll). The New York Times article “Not up for Debate: The Science behind Vaccination” is very similar to the Japanese study mentioned above. However, in this study the children that had received the vaccine “were followed from birth until they were 5 years old” (Carroll). Nonetheless, the results were contrary to the claim presented in Dr. Wakefield’s paper and showed the MMR vaccine “was not” associated with autism (Carroll).  These are just some of countless studies that contradicted Dr. Wakefield’s claim by showing that the MMR vaccine is in no way correlated with onsets of autism. 

As time progressed on from when Dr. Wakefield’s study was conducted and published many disconcerting facts and information about Dr. Wakefield and his study have come out. Dr. Wakefield’s true motives for conducting the study and presenting the results in the way he did are very questionable. Given that the central claim of Dr. Wakefield’s study differs from that of several other studies, and there have been no other studies that confirm his central claim. As stated in the eBook “Vaccine: The Debate In Modern America” the hypothesis Dr. Wakefield presented has been proven false by “scientific medical communities in Britain and the United States (Largent 95). Therefore, it is by no means out of the spectrum of reason to reject and not believe the central claim of Dr. Wakefield’s study just based off of facts and logic. Let alone, information has been released about Dr. Wakefield’s character and tactics whilst performing his study. This information not only displays Dr. Wakefield’s dishonesty, but also confirms unethical behaviors and tactics were condoned and carried out by Dr. Wakefield and his participants during the study. An example of an unethical behavior demonstrated by Dr. Wakefield and those related to the participants in the studies was when “evidence emerged that Dr. Wakefield had been paid by attorneys for parents who were suing MMR manufactures” (Kaplan). Additionally, Dr. Wakefield’s unethical behaviors were not the only dishonest part of the study. As stated in the article “Not up for Debate: The Science behind Vaccination,” nearly all the data that Dr. Wakefield used to support his central claim was “falsified in some way” (Carroll). Consequently, making us unable to trust the legitimacy of Dr. Wakefield’s facts. All the deception and dishonesty eventually led to Dr. Wakefield’s report being “retracted” as stated in Jane Ellen Brody’s article “Not Vaccinating Children Is the Greater Risk.” Another action taken against Dr. Wakefield, which further validated his wrongdoings was when “his license was revoked” by The General Medical Council of Britain because he was proven to be “guilty of professional misconduct” (Kaplan). With all this information presented, it brings up the question as to why people even consider and pay attention to Dr. Wakefield’s central claim?

The ripple effects of Dr. Wakefield’s paper have had detrimental effects on the rate of vaccination throughout the world. The article “Epidemiologic and Molecular Relationship between Vaccine Manufacture and Autism Spectrum Disorder Prevalence” presents specific data for MMR vaccination rates in Norway, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. The data for the rate of vaccination illustrates that the coverage of the MMR vaccine dropped “below 90%” soon after the publishing of Dr. Wakefield’s paper in 1998 (Deisher). Consequently, it took until 2001 for the MMR rate of vaccination to begin increasing again (Deisher). Thereafter it took roughly three years, to when eventually in 2004 the MMR vaccination rate was once again “over 90%” in the three countries (Deisher). To reiterate the significance of the drop in the rate of the MMR vaccination, the YouTube video “MMR Vaccine Does Not Cause Autism” states that “MMR rates dropped massively in Britain.” Because of the falling of MMR vaccination rates amongst children, they are more susceptible to measles which can lead to “seizures and death” (Brody). The same article “Not Vaccinating Children Is the Greater Risk” also states that people “who are not immunized are up to 35 times more likely to get measles,” which shows how easy it is for unimmunized children to fall ill with measles as an effect of the anti-MMR vaccination movement (Brody). However, the largest impact of all is the many lives that have been taken because of Dr. Wakefield’s paper and the drop in the rate of MMR immunization (MMR Vaccine Does Not Cause Autism). One of the most common impacts of the now decreased rate of MMR immunization is outbreaks. We have been unfortunate enough to see these outbreaks in multiple states across the United States. Measles was “declared eradicated 15 years” ago, so it should not have presence in the United states at all now (Kaplan). Yet there were “200 Americans” in 2015 that became infected with measles (Kaplan). As specified in the article “The Truth about Vaccines, Autism and Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s Conspiracy Theory,” these occurrences in 2015 can be credited to the parents who do not vaccinate their children with the MMR vaccine (Kaplan). Two specific states that are mentioned in the CNN article “With 404 Cases, Washington Mumps Outbreak Continues to Grow” are Washington and Arkansas (Scutti). As of October of 2016, there have been 404 cases of mumps in Washington state, but there have been many more cases of mumps in Arkansas, which has racked up to 2,766 cases since August of 2016 (Scutti). Dr. Dirk Haselow is referenced in Scutti’s CNN article stating that in cases of mumps outbreaks in Arkansas “a recent dose of the MMR vaccine is potentially very helpful” (Scutti). This gives a doctor’s confirmation that these horrendous outbreaks of measles, mumps, and Rubella can be partially halted if more people are immunized with the MMR vaccine. Another recent outbreak is demonstrated in the article “Low Vaccination Rates and Disney Measles Outbreak” by Steven Reinberg. This unfortunate outbreak of measles can be traced back to Disney’s theme parks located in California (Reinberg). It makes a lot of sense for an outbreak to occur at Disney theme parks because there are thousands of people who go to visit them daily. Therefore, it is likely for some of these thousands of people to carry viral infections, which causes others to be exposed to them. Thus, making Disney theme parks breeding grounds for viral outbreaks. In the same article about the Disney theme park outbreaks, a researcher named Maimuna Majumder who is located at Boston Children's Hospital said “The Disneyland outbreak is quite possibly a direct consequence of the growing anti-vaccination movement in the United States” (Reinberg). Therefore, it is safe to say we can credit these outbreaks related to mumps and measles to low MMR vaccination rates. We will only continue to see more outbreaks of measles, mumps, and rubella, which will grow larger in size and severity if the anti-vaccination movement occurring now in the United states keeps growing (Reinberg).

There is one specific reason as to why many parents choose not to have their children immunized for measles, mumps, and rubella and that reason is quite simply fear. It is a fear that goes back to parents being completely confused about the MMR vaccine because of Dr. Wakefield’s study many years ago, which stirred up a controversy. A mom named Julia Carling writes in her Daily Mail article “Why I Wouldn’t Give My Baby the MMR Jab” about why she personally chose not to immunize her daughter with the MMR vaccine. Carling states that the information that she has been provided pertaining to the MMR vaccine and its relationship to autism made her “a confused mother.” This confusion is partially because the information about the MMR vaccine and it not having any relation to autism is not being presented simply enough. If the information that the MMR vaccine does not cause autism was stated plainly, perhaps there would not be as much confusion amongst parents. This would lead to increased immunization rates of the MMR vaccine in children. Furthermore, Carling shares that it is not just her as a mother that is confused about the safety of the MMR vaccine, but it is other parents. This is demonstrated when she discusses her thirteen friends that have children the same age as her daughter and that only one of them is going to have their child immunized with the MMR vaccine (Carling). Carling is also concerned the MMR vaccine places quite “a toxic load and stimulus” on the immature immune system of her child, which she claims is “a medical fact.” However, she fails to recognize that the “toxic load and stimulus” in the MMR vaccine is not hurtful, but rather beneficial for the future health of her child. Another mother that chose not to have her children vaccinated with the MMR vaccine was Kirsty Grocott. Grocott shares in her article “Why Did I Think It Appropriate to Deny My Children the MMR Jab?” in The Telegraph her own fears, which are that the vaccine could permanently change her child. She presents these fears to the reader when she says “What if I had to watch all his acquired skills disappear and his personality unravel?” (Grocott). What she is specifically referring to when she mentions the changing of her child is the fear that the MMR vaccine would cause her child to have an onset of autism (Grocott). It is necessary to address the confusion amongst parents and the MMR vaccine because multiple sources demonstrate that their confusion is causing their fear of the MMR vaccine. Once this fear is rid of, more parents will have their children immunized for measles, mumps, and rubella. The misunderstanding amongst parents and the MMR vaccine causing autism can be addressed from multiple points. The first one being that pediatricians should clear up any concerns parents have about the MMR vaccine. They can do this by stating the many benefits children receive from being immunized for measles, mumps, and rubella. A lack of medical knowledge is a leading factor to why parents become confused when they are presented information regarding the MMR vaccine. Therefore, simple statistics and data should be used when presenting the benefits, which is something a lot of pediatricians forget. The second point that can be addressed is the deceptiveness of Dr. Wakefield’s study. Parents can be informed of the unethical behaviors and the false data in Dr. Wakefield’s study by pediatricians and simple brochures at the pediatrician’s office.

The MMR vaccine has many benefits, which some parents will need to recognize if they really do want the best for their child’s health. This immunization can prevent a child from experiencing terrible pain from viruses and, even better, it can prevent the death of a child. It has been proven through numerous studies that the MMR vaccine does not cause autism, which should eliminate the main concern that parents have about the MMR vaccine. However, their concern has not yet been fully eliminated because of Dr. Wakefield’s study, which shows it is essential that more parents become informed about Dr. Wakefield’s dishonesty. Informing parents will take some extra time for the doctors, however it will prove to be useful. The anti-MMR vaccination movement has caused more harm than good as illustrated in Washington State, Arkansas, and Disneyland with recent outbreaks. These outbreaks will continue to happen if more children are not immunized for measles, mumps, and rubella. It will be essential for parents to receive more simplistic information about the MMR vaccine from now on in order to increase the number of immunized children. As an increase in immunization for measles, mumps, and rubella in children takes place we will recuperate the healthy population we previously had.
