President Donald Trump signed an executive order suggesting fewer routine vaccines for children, stating he wanted to decrease the recommended number of childhood shots to 11 while falsely claiming a connection between childhood vaccinations and autism.
The action arrives as the Trump administration operates — running a US $1 billion project under Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.–to completely revise the US childhood immunisation schedule. The MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine would be divided into three different shots during separate doctor’s visits, according to Trump. But over the last couple of decades, scientific research has shown that there is not a single connection between vaccines and autism.
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The renewed debate has troubled parents, especially parents of affected children, and seriously revived a part of the vaccine misinformation. Experts have long insisted autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder and that no evidence whatsoever supports claims about childhood vaccines causing it. They also pointed out that vaccination hesitancy and delaying of routine immunizations might expose children including autistic children to serious yet preventable infections.
In this article, doctors describe what the science shows about vaccines and autism, the importance of vaccination and why stopping it can put autistic children at risk of preventable infections.
Vaccines do not cause autism, so why does the myth continue?
Dr. Akshay Mehta, Senior Consultant – Neonatology & Paediatrics at Motherhood Hospitals, Greater Noida, “US President Donald Trump has linked childhood vaccination to autism. Though currently, there is no study or research available to prove that vaccination leads to autism.”
“Autism is a neurodevelopmental condition that impacts the child’s communication, social interaction, behaviour, and sensory processing in different ways. Autism is not caused by childhood vaccines, and it is also necessary to avoid believing in rumours. Moreover, those children with autism continue to need appropriate routine vaccination to protect them from preventable infections such as measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), polio, and whooping cough (pertussis).
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What happens if children with autism stop getting vaccinated?
Dr Akshay, explains that even if the child is diagnosed with autism, the vaccination shouldn’t be missed by parents. “Just like other children, those with autism can also suffer from various infections. For autistic children, missing routine vaccinations can raise the chances of infections such as measles, mumps, rubella, polio, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), hepatitis B, pneumococcal disease, rotavirus, and chickenpox (varicella).
These infections can cause serious complications such as pneumonia, meningitis, encephalitis, seizures, hearing loss, paralysis, breathing difficulties, and, in severe cases, death. These issues can also interfere with the child’s daily routine, school, and academic performance. The child will find it difficult to continue their education. Hence, the child’s quality of life will be compromised. That is why it will be imperative for parents to vaccinate children by scheduling regular appointments as advised by the doctor. It is important for parents to discuss all the doubts related to vaccination in children with autism and follow the doctor’s guidelines. The doctor will advise following the vaccination routine and improve the child’s quality of life.”
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Dr. Shiji Chalipat, Consultant Pediatric Neurologist at Ankura Hospital for Women and Children, Aundh, Pune explains, that Parents of children with autism can be extra cautious about vaccines because of concerns about their child’s development.
However, she says that autism is a neurodevelopmental condition, and vaccination doesn’t cause or worsen it. “Parents should not skip vaccination in children. Parents should therefore avoid making vaccination decisions based on social media claims or unverified information that is widely available now. It will be important for parents to discuss the child’s medical history with the paediatrician and make sure to follow the recommended immunisation schedule. Keeping vaccinations up to date is an important part of protecting the child’s well-being.”
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The take-home message: Current evidence doesn’t confirm the link between vaccination and autism. So, parents should follow the vaccination schedule for their children with autism as per the doctor’s advice. So, parents, make sure to make informed choices when it comes to the child’s well-being.
