Fig. 1. The image shows the statement made by Dr. Thompson about the MMR study in 2004. (M.B)
Fig. 1. The image shows the statement made by Dr. Thompson about the MMR study in 2004. (M.B)
MANIPULATION OF DATA FOR MMR VACCINE TEST
After the creation of the Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR) vaccine in 1971, physicians started to perform studies to see if the vaccine had the capability of causing children to develop autism. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) conducted a where the study consisted of observing at what age children from different ethnic groups had a high probability of developing autism after the first vaccination of the MMR vaccine.
In 2004, the CDC studied children born in Atlanta (controlled group) and children recruited by the CDC (case group). The CDC reported that the case and control groups had a similar probability of developing autism for children vaccinated between the ages of 12 and 24 months old (the case group 70.5%, the control group 67.5%) and reported that children vaccinated before the age of 36 months had a higher probability of developing autism (93.4% for the case group and 90.6% for the controlled group). Several studies have confirmed that there is no correlation between the MMR vaccine and autism. In 2014, a physician involved in the study, Dr. William Thompson, admitted that the CDC had manipulated the data from the study, where the CDC did not disclose that African-American children (males) are 3.4 times more susceptible to developing autism.
Dr. Thompson stated, "I regret that my coauthors and I omitted statistically significant information in our 2004 article." (YostLaw). Therefore, many parentswho vaccinated their children did not know about the vaccine's potential risks, leading parents not to vaccinate their children.
Work Cited
Rao TS, Andrade C. The MMR vaccine and autism: Sensation, refutation, retraction, and fraud. Indian J Psychiatry. 2011 Apr;53(2):95-6. doi: 10.4103/0019-5545.82529. PMID: 21772639; PMCID: PMC3136032.
Daniels D, Jiles RB, Klevens RM, Herrera GA. Undervaccinated African-American preschoolers: a case of missed opportunities. Am J Prev Med. 2001 May;20(4 Suppl):61-8. doi: 10.1016/s0749-3797(01)00278-1. PMID: 11331134.
Novilla MLB, Goates MC, Redelfs AH, Quenzer M, Novilla LKB, Leffler T, Holt CA, Doria RB, Dang MT, Hewitt M, Lind E, Prickett E, Aldridge K. Why Parents Say No to Having Their Children Vaccinated against Measles: A Systematic Review of the Social Determinants of Parental Perceptions on MMR Vaccine Hesitancy. Vaccines (Basel). 2023 May 2;11(5):926. doi: 10.3390/vaccines11050926. PMID: 37243030; PMCID: PMC10224336.
“CDC Statement: 2004 MMR and Autism Study.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 24 Aug. 2020, www.cdc.gov/vaccinesafety/concerns/autism/cdc2004pediatrics.html.
Immunization Safety Review : Measles-Mumps-Rubella Vaccine and Autism, edited by Marie McCormick, et al., National Academies Press, 2001. ProQuest Ebook Central, https://www.proquest.com/legacydocview/EBC/3375528?accountid=7122.
YostLaw. “CDC Lies about MMR Vaccine Connection to Autism.” Baltimore Personal Injury Attorneys, 28 Mar. 2018, www.yostlaw.com/cdc-lies-about-mmr-vaccine-connection-to-autism/.
Akpan, Nsikan. “There’s a Measles Outbreak. Do You Need Another Shot?” PBS, Public Broadcasting Service, 27 Apr. 2019, www.pbs.org/newshour/science/theres-a-measles-outbreak-do-you-need-another-shot.
M., B. “Sign the Petition.” Change.Org, 15 Dec. 2016, www.change.org/p/congress-subpoena-cdc-vaccine-whistleblower-dr-william-thompson-to-testify-before-congress.