We Live in Such a Litigious Society

Families Take Autism Claims To Court
Link To Vaccines Not Supported By Science
POSTED: 7:36 am PDT May 12, 2008
(link)

WASHINGTON -- The Institute of Medicine said in 2004 there was no credible evidence to show that vaccines containing the preservative thimerosal led to autism in children. But thousands of families have a different take based on personal experience

Thimerosal has been removed in recent years from standard childhood vaccines, except flu vaccines that are not packaged in single doses. The CDC said single-dose flu shots currently are available only in limited quantities. In 2004, a committee with the Institute of medicine concluded there was no credible evidence that vaccines containing thimerosal caused autism.

Many members of the medical community are skeptical of the families' claims. They worry that the claims about the dangers of vaccines could cause some people to forgo vaccines that prevent illness.

Yes, I worry about this also. How many children are going to have to die or suffer from a disease that they don't have to, because of ignorant parents.

Autism is a developmental disability that typically appears during the first three years of life and affects a person's ability to communicate and interact with others. Dr. Andrew Gerber, a psychiatrist, said that medical experts don't have a comprehensive understanding of what causes autism, but they do know there is a strong hereditary component.

This is still a possibility for my son, but as he gets older and still shows no signs, my confidence grows. What I don't get is why are parents blaming things they have no control over or evidence over. I don't care what some report they paid someone to conduct tells them. There is no definitive proof that vaccines cause autism, nor is there any definitive proof of what does cause autism expect maybe heredity. This will never convince me to stop getting my child vaccinated.