Autism settlement raises worry about vaccines; some parents opt to not give their kids shots

[orleans]

Autism settlement raises worry about vaccines; some parents opt to not give their kids shots

Last week, the federal government agreed to compensate the family of a 9-year-old autistic girl in Athens, reviving fears among some parents that childhood vaccines may trigger autism.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services paid an undisclosed amount to the family of Hannah Poling, drawing from a federal fund that compensates victims of vaccine-related injuries.

For years, autism advocates have insisted that vaccines, especially those containing the mercury-based preservative thimerosal, can cause the neurological disorder. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has repeatedly said there is no scientific evidence to support that theory.

But with the recent ruling, some parents feel vindicated.

http://www.gainesvilletimes.com/news/article/4077/

a lot more of the article at link

[Peregrine]

1. A minor detail

From the article: But Hannah Poling’s case is not typical. She has an underlying genetic condition known as a mitochondrial disorder, and investigators thought the vaccine might have aggravated that condition, leading her to develop autistic symptoms.

Even this quote from the article is wrong. The ruling referred to "autistic-like" symptoms, it never labeled it as autistic.

The fact that there is no scientific evidence supporting a autism-vaccination link is irrelevant to these people. Some will keep yelling BIG PHARMA, but no matter, the science is not there.

A very good site to go to for the scientific perspective is http://scienceblogs.com/insolence/">Respectful Insolence

[orleans]

2. so then why did the government settle the case?

[redqueen]

3. Good question...

I'm surprised this news wasn't more widely discussed.

:shrug:

[orleans]

4. i'm surprised too. n/t