Immunization Safety Review

In recent years a number of concerns have been raised about the safety of and need for certain immunizations. This report summarizes the findings of an 11-member independent committee convened by the Institute of Medicine to examine the hypothesis that the measles- mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine and thimerosal-containing vaccines are causally associated with autism. It is based on review of extant published and unpublished epidemiological studies regarding causality and studies of potential biologic mechanisms by which these immunizations might cause autism.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 epidemiological evidence does not support the claims of a causal relationship between the MMR vaccine and autism, or the thimerosal- containing vaccines and autism, and recommends continuation of the current schedule and array of vaccine safety activities. No subject index. Annotation : 2005 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com).