Lancet Retracts Study Linking Vaccines and Autism

In 1998, The Lancet (a well-respected British medical journal) published an article suggesting a link between the MMR (Measles, Mumps and Rubella) vaccine and autism. This triggered widespread concern among parents that vaccines might be harming their children. These concerns persisted despite subsequent reports discrediting the research methods of this small study and numerous large, scientifically valid studies done since 1998 failing to substantiate a link.


Over the years, the majority of the authors of the 1998 study refuted the results, citing poor research methods and questionable ethics of the lead author, Andrew Wakefield. In January of this year Britain's medical board determined that Wakefield had acted "dishonestly and irresponsible" and stripped him of his license to practice. Shortly afterward, The Lancet formally retracted the article.


The physicians and staff of Peachtree Park Pediatrics are strong advocates of vaccinating children according to the standard schedule endorsed by the CDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics.


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