Report

Immunization Safety Review: Measles-Mumps-Rubella Vaccine and Autism

Released:: January 16, 2003
Type:: Consensus Report
Topic(s):: Children and Families, Diseases, Public Health
Activity:: Immunization Safety Review
Board(s):: Board on Population Health and Public Health Practice

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Institutes of Health recognized the need for an independent group to carefully examine the hypothesized MMR-autism link and address other vaccine-safety issues as well, in order to give some guidance to themselves, health care providers, researchers, and a concerned public.

These agencies engaged the Institute of Medicine, which in turn appointed the Immunization Safety Review Committee, a 15-member body of health professionals with wide-ranging expertise in areas relevant to the problem. To preclude any real or perceived conflicts of interest, candidate members were subject to strict selection criteria that excluded anyone who had participated in research on vaccine safety, received funding from vaccine manufacturers or their parent companies, or served on vaccine advisory committees.

The results of the committee's assessment of the issue are described in this report titled Immunization Safety Review: Measles-Mumps-Rubella Vaccine and Autism.

Report at a Glance

FAQ Measles-Mumps-Rubella Vaccine and Autism (PDF)

Report Brief. Immunization Safety Review: Measles-Mumps-Rubella Vaccine and Autism (PDF)

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Other Reports by this Activity

Displaying: 3 of 7 Reports

Immunization Safety Review: Vaccines and Autism This eighth and final report of the Immunization Safety Review Committee examines the hypothesis that vaccines, specifically the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine and thimerosal-containing vaccines, are causally associated with autism. The committee reviewed the extant published and unpublished epidemiological studies regarding causality and studies of potential biologic mechanisms by which these immunizations might cause autism. The committee concludes that the body of epidemiological evidence favors rejection of a causal relationship between the MMR vaccine and autism.
Released: May 14, 2004
Immunization Safety Review: Influenza Vaccines and Neurological Complications Infection with the influenza virus can have a serious effect on the health of people of all ages, although it is particularly worrisome for infants, the elderly, and people with underlying heart or lung problems. At least 35,000 people die in the United States every year from influenza infection. A vaccine exists (the â€œfluâ€ shot) that can greatly decrease the impact of influenza.
Released: October 6, 2003
Immunization Safety Review: Vaccinations and Sudden Unexpected Death in Infancy With current recommendations calling for infants to receive multiple doses of vaccines during their first year of life and with sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) the most frequent cause of death during the postneonatal period, it is important to respond to concerns that vaccination might play a role in sudden unexpected infant death.
Released: March 31, 2003