Vaccines Do Not Cause Autism: Dutch Health Agency Rebuts CDC Shift
Amsterdam, Netherlands – The Dutch Medicines Evaluation Board (Lareb), the Netherlands’ center for drug safety, has issued a firm statement reaffirming the scientific consensus: vaccines do not cause autism spectrum disorders. This response comes following a recent and controversial change to the U.S. Centers for disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website.
For years, the CDC maintained that vaccines were not a cause of autism, a position consistent wiht Lareb’s own findings. Though, last week the CDC updated it’s website to state that it “cannot be ruled out that vaccinating children causes autism.” This shift has been attributed, in part, to the influence of U.S. Secretary of health Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a long-time vaccine skeptic.
Lareb Director Agnes Kant unequivocally disputes the CDC’s revised wording. ”Numerous high-quality studies demonstrate conclusively that there is no causal link between vaccinations and autism,” Kant stated. “The number of vaccinations a child receives also has no bearing on the advancement of autism, and research indicates that vaccinations administered during pregnancy do not increase the risk of autism in the child.”
Addressing Concerns About the MMR Vaccine
The measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine has frequently been the subject of unsubstantiated claims linking it to autism. Lareb points to a now-discredited 1998 study as the origin of these concerns. ”That study contained fundamentally flawed details and methodologies,” explains kant. “Subsequent research attempting to establish a connection has been riddled with limitations and has failed to provide any robust evidence. Actually, the original study was later revealed to be fraudulent.”
A growing movement in both the UK and the Netherlands is embracing the ‘Sunflower Keycord’ – a lanyard used to indicate a ‘hidden disability’. Eighteen-year-old Puma, who lives with autism and anxiety, finds the keycord helpful when using public transport. “I feel very confined when I am on a train,” she explains, “and the lanyard helps people understand I might need a little extra space.”
Lareb’s statement serves as a crucial reminder of the importance of relying on evidence-based information when it comes to public health. The agency continues to monitor vaccine safety and encourages individuals to consult with healthcare professionals for accurate and reliable guidance.
I hope this article provided clarity and reassurance regarding the safety of vaccines. At World Today News, we’re committed to bringing you accurate, well-researched information. If you found this piece helpful, I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below. Or, if you’d like to stay up-to-date on the latest global news and health updates, please consider subscribing – it really helps us continue this important work!
