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April is Autism Awareness Month. Whether you’re a parent of an autistic child or know someone with an autistic child, the increase in autism is apparent across society.  Prior to 1990, only 1 child in 2500 was diagnosed autistic. According to a new government study from October 2009, the prevalence of autism diagnosis is now 1 in every 91 children.

Autism is a neurological condition. Looking at the last 20 years, what has changed to give a 27-fold increase in autism spectrum disorders?

In my opinion, autism is a multi-level problem with complicated origins. Here are six of the most commonly cited potential causes of autism’s rise: (continue reading…)

by Barbara Loe Fisher

The results of a 2009 survey evaluating the vaccine safety concerns of American parents was recently published in the journal Pediatrics (1). Out of the approximately 1500 parents, who took the survey, 23% believe that vaccines cause autism in healthy children. But more than 50% were worried about serious adverse health effects of vaccination. The vast majority said they believe that getting vaccines is a good way to protect children from disease and follow their doctor’s recommendations. Still, more than 30% of those surveyed believe that parents should have the right to refuse vaccines that are required for school for any reason.

Most parents want to trust what their doctors tell them about vaccination. Mothers and fathers depend upon their doctors to give them good advice; but when the health of their child or a child they know deteriorates after vaccination (2), parents logically start to ask questions. And when they are belittled or even threatened for asking those questions, (3, 4) the relationship between doctor and parent is never the same again. (continue reading…)

Nearly 200 nurses in Sweden have reported severe side effects after receiving the H1N1 (Swine Flu) vaccine. The fevers, shivering and headaches are severe enough that these health professionals themselves have gone to the hospital. The Swedish vaccine implicated in these incidents, Pandemrix, contains adjuvents including squalene that are illegal in vaccines sold in the United States, though the squalene and other additives are used in parts of Europe.

In the United States, the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System has recorded 687 adverse events from the shot and nasal spray versions of the vaccine. That number might be higher, but according to surveys and polls by academic research groups and the CDC have shown that many people who want the H1N1 vaccine have been unable to get the vaccinated due to supply shortages. VAERS accepts reports online, though a technical issue with their reporting website’s security certificate may deter people from submitting reports electronically. VAERS also accepts reports by postal mail or fax, which would further delay inclusion of those events in the reports. (continue reading…)

by Barbara Loe Fisher, NVIC Administrator

Every day Americans wake up to news reports that warn us about the dangers of influenza, especially the new H1N1 “swine flu” and the need to roll up our sleeves and get vaccinated. We are witnessing a roll-out of the largest, most expensive mass vaccination campaign in the history of our nation. A rollout that is bigger than even the polio vaccine campaigns of the 1950’s.

How much do you know about the disease or vaccine risks so you can make an informed decision about whether to get flu shots for yourself or your children?^{1 (continue reading…)}