The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 270 No 7246 p566
26 April 2003

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DTB discounts MMR and autism link

There is no convincing evidence that the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine causes autism or inflammatory bowel disease, according to a review in the Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin. Neither does the vaccine facilitate development of these two conditions.

The DTB reviewers looked at the evidence leading to the debate about whether there is a link between exposure to the MMR vaccine and the development of autism and inflammatory bowel disease. They point out that the original Lancet case series is the only published, peer-reviewed study to offer a "clear statement on the temporal relationship" between MMR vaccine and the rapid onset of these symptoms. However, the reviewers say that the study was small, uncontrolled and involved a highly selected group of children. Furthermore, some temporal association with autism is unsurprising given the timing of onset of autism symptoms. They add that later studies have provided no fresh clinical data on the apparent association.

In terms of epidemiological evidence, the reviewers say that interpretation of studies is difficult. "Nonetheless, all of the studies, conducted in several different populations, are consistent and emphatic in finding no evidence for an association between MMR vaccine, inflammatory bowel disease and autism."

The DTB reviewers also considered the question of single-antigen vaccines and conclude that there is "no good reason" to adopt an alternative immunisation policy. "[Substitution of single-antigen vaccines for the combined vaccine] has no scientific basis and is likely to result in increased rates of disease and an attendant increase in morbidity, mortality and risk to others," they argue (2003;41:25).