Health News
This week yet another report showed that a study linking vaccines to autism was fraudulent.
The controversy began more than a decade ago. In 1998, British physician Andrew Wakefield published a study indicating that the common MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) vaccine was linked to childhood autism.
"After this initial study was released linking the MMR vaccine to autism, huge amounts of time and money were spent attempting to corroborate these findings," explains Sinai physician Anthony Caterina. "When no links were found after numerous large studies, there was a backlash against the medical community with many people, including some overly vocal celebrities, claiming there was a conspiracy taking place to protect vaccine manufacturers."
Since Wakefield's study was published, many parents opted out of vaccinating their children, causing numerous outbreaks of these deadly diseases. Autism rates continue to climb. An editorial in the British Medical Journal described Wakefield's study as "an elaborate fraud."
"That study wrongfully tarnished the reputation of vaccinations and the medical community. Vaccines are one of the greatest achievements of mankind, and hopefully this new information regarding the unethical and criminal nature of Dr. Wakefield's actions will hopefully begin the process of reversing the damage already caused," Caterina says.
To find a pediatrician at Sinai Hospital, call 410-601-WELL (9355).
- It's Time To Get School-age Children Vaccinated; State Requirements Are In Place For Kindergartners And Rising Sixth Graders
An editorial in the Bowling Green Daily News about the importance of getting your child vaccinated before school starts is applicable to all communities in Kentucky. Health.comState law requires children to be vaccinated upon entering kindergarten, with...
- Summer Is A Good Time To Make Sure Your Teenagers Or Preteens Get Their Four Recommended Vaccinations
Vaccines aren't just for babies. Preteens and teens also fall into an age group that has both required immunizations for school and recommended vaccines that can save their lives. Summer is a great time to take care of getting caught up on these vaccinations,...
- Belief In Bogus Studies And Stories Undermines Use Of Vaccines That Have Been Proven Safe, Resulting In Spread Of Diseases
UPDATE: Jan. 16, 2014 4:50 Kentucky has not had any reports of measles in the past three years. It has had two cases of mumps in 2013 and two cases of mumps in 2014. Kentucky continues to have a large number of pertussis, or whooping cough,...
- Brains Of Autistic Children Develop Differently, Study Finds
MRI image of young brain in studyResearchers have found significant differences in brain development starting at age 6 months in high-risk infants who develop autism compared to those who don't. The finding suggests the disorder develops over time...
- Vaccines Important For Public Health
With all the talk about the H1N1 virus (swine flu), it?s a good time to talk to your physician about what vaccines you may need. A recent Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention study, conducted in the summer of 2007, indicates that not enough...
Health News
No Link Between Vaccines and Autism
This week yet another report showed that a study linking vaccines to autism was fraudulent.
The controversy began more than a decade ago. In 1998, British physician Andrew Wakefield published a study indicating that the common MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) vaccine was linked to childhood autism.
"After this initial study was released linking the MMR vaccine to autism, huge amounts of time and money were spent attempting to corroborate these findings," explains Sinai physician Anthony Caterina. "When no links were found after numerous large studies, there was a backlash against the medical community with many people, including some overly vocal celebrities, claiming there was a conspiracy taking place to protect vaccine manufacturers."
Since Wakefield's study was published, many parents opted out of vaccinating their children, causing numerous outbreaks of these deadly diseases. Autism rates continue to climb. An editorial in the British Medical Journal described Wakefield's study as "an elaborate fraud."
"That study wrongfully tarnished the reputation of vaccinations and the medical community. Vaccines are one of the greatest achievements of mankind, and hopefully this new information regarding the unethical and criminal nature of Dr. Wakefield's actions will hopefully begin the process of reversing the damage already caused," Caterina says.
To find a pediatrician at Sinai Hospital, call 410-601-WELL (9355).
- It's Time To Get School-age Children Vaccinated; State Requirements Are In Place For Kindergartners And Rising Sixth Graders
An editorial in the Bowling Green Daily News about the importance of getting your child vaccinated before school starts is applicable to all communities in Kentucky. Health.comState law requires children to be vaccinated upon entering kindergarten, with...
- Summer Is A Good Time To Make Sure Your Teenagers Or Preteens Get Their Four Recommended Vaccinations
Vaccines aren't just for babies. Preteens and teens also fall into an age group that has both required immunizations for school and recommended vaccines that can save their lives. Summer is a great time to take care of getting caught up on these vaccinations,...
- Belief In Bogus Studies And Stories Undermines Use Of Vaccines That Have Been Proven Safe, Resulting In Spread Of Diseases
UPDATE: Jan. 16, 2014 4:50 Kentucky has not had any reports of measles in the past three years. It has had two cases of mumps in 2013 and two cases of mumps in 2014. Kentucky continues to have a large number of pertussis, or whooping cough,...
- Brains Of Autistic Children Develop Differently, Study Finds
MRI image of young brain in studyResearchers have found significant differences in brain development starting at age 6 months in high-risk infants who develop autism compared to those who don't. The finding suggests the disorder develops over time...
- Vaccines Important For Public Health
With all the talk about the H1N1 virus (swine flu), it?s a good time to talk to your physician about what vaccines you may need. A recent Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention study, conducted in the summer of 2007, indicates that not enough...