One of the greatest controversies in autism spectrum disorder centers on whether a link exists between the disorder and childhood vaccines. Despite extensive research, no reliable study has shown a link between autism spectrum disorder and any vaccines. In fact, the original study that ignited the debate years ago has been retracted due to poor design and questionable research methods.

Avoiding childhood vaccinations can place your child and others in danger of catching and spreading serious diseases, including whooping cough (pertussis), measles or mumps.”

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) supports this claim. “Claims that vaccines are linked to autism, or are unsafe when administered according to the recommended schedule, have been disproven by a robust body of medical literature” (AAP, 2017). They released this emphasis on the safety of vaccines following the 2016 Presidential Election in which Donald Trump, a vaccine skeptic, won. 

After researching there seems to be more research and studies to support that there is no link. Furthermore, the studies I was able to find that questioned a potential link were either dated, or came from sources I couldn’t verify. I also have no personal experiences that would make me question a connection between vaccinations everyone in my family has had and Autism.

is in response to a primary study, 

(Jain, Marshall, & Buikema, 2015) that finds no correlation between MMR and autism in children ages 2-5.  First as a side "learning" from King's article, he suggests that controversies such as these are good because it drives us to continually learn and not become stagnant on matters of health.
Jain, Marshall and Buikema (2015) found that "Consistent with studies in other populations, we observed no association between MMR vaccination and increased ASD risk (and) “We also found no evidence that receipt of either one or two doses of MMR vaccination was associated with an increased risk of ASD among children who had older siblings with ASD.”
Concluding statements reveal that the study provides evidence that even with increased probability for ASD because of older siblings diagnosis, MMR was not correlated with the acquisition of ASD. "These findings indicate no harmful association between MMR vaccine receipt and ASD even among children already at higher risk for ASD."  

I wonder how individuals began to believe that there is in fact a link between MMR vaccinations and ASD. In whatever case, it influenced many concerned parents to avoid vaccinations in fear that it can potentially harm their offspring(s).  Although I do agree that MMR is not linked to ASD, I do believe that many environmental factors play a huge role in possible diagnosis of ASD.  Additionally, I wonder what factors confirmed anti-vaccination groups’ belief that MMR vaccines were harmful.  Are these same factors not considered in the article that I read.  For instance, is it a certain age group, during a certain time in life, age of parents, vaccine type/batch that I may have overlooked that could be the possible link? 
J
ain, A., Marshall, J., Buikema, A., Bancroft, T., Kelly, J. P., & Newschaffer, C. J. (2015). Autism occurrence by MMR vaccine status among US children with older siblings with and without autism. Jama, 313(15), 1534-1540.

 

I am not 100% sure there is not some type of link between autism and the MMR vaccine, but I do not think that the vaccine is the sole cause of autism.  People are always looking for the “reason” behind things that happen and the MMR vaccine seems like a good justification for what caused their child to have autism.

Shari Hopkins believes persuasion has much to do with the recent link between autism and vaccinations.  “Recent public debate about whether there is a connection between autism and vaccines indicates that some individuals -- many of them parents of autistic children -- have been persuaded that such a link exists, whereas others -- especially in the scientific community -- state that there is no connection and that vaccines are safe and effective (2).

 

According to Alison Knopf, the “rumor” that vaccines cause autism was based on a study done in 1998 with a total of 12 subjects.  The study was later deemed to be fraudulent but it gained enough momentum that scientific data has been unable to squash the idea.  “Large studies have found no connection between vaccines and autism. This includes thimerosal, a preservative in some vaccines” (1).

 

If vaccines cause autism, why don’t all vaccinated children have autism?  What other medical links are there between children with autism versus children without autism.  Do some children have an “allergy” to something in the vaccine that others don’t have?  (Similar to how some people are allergic to bee stings while the majority of people aren’t.)

Hoppin, S. (2016) Applying the narrative paradigm to the vaccine debates.  American Communication Journal, 18(2), 45-55.

 Knopf, A. (2017). Vaccines do not cause autism: Pediatricians fight back against anti-science.  Brown University Child and Adolescent Behavior Letter, 33, 1-2.

 

It is important for all people to get MMR vaccinations to keep others, especially newborn babies, safe from these diseases. 

 

https://hpsrepository.asu.edu/handle/10776/11462