Finnish study confirms safety of MMR vaccine

I am amazed that BMJ found so much space (1) to report a non
controlled study - with a three week follow up - that did not address the
issue of autism (2).

The only way to stop the sterile discussions on the possible link
between MMR and autism would be to start large long term prospective
randomised controlled studies comparing measles vaccines and MMR. We must
keep in mind that measles vaccine has positive non specific effects on
health detectable in third world countries where child survival rates can
be used as criteria of health (3,4).

References

-1 - Wise J. Finnish study confirms safety of MMR vaccine. BMJ 2001;
322: 129.

- 2 - Patja A, Davidkin J, Kurki T, et al. Serious adverse events
after measles - mumps - rubella vaccination during a fourteen - year
prospective follow - up. Pediatr Infect Dis J 2000; 19 (12): 1127-34.

-3 - Aaby P, Samb B, Simondon F, et al. Non specific beneficial
effects of measles immunisation: analysis of mortality studies from
developing countries. BMJ 1995; 311: 481-5.

- 4 - Kristensen I, Aaby P, Jensen H. Routine vaccination and child
survival: follow up study in Guinea-Bissau, West Africa. BMJ 2000; 321:
1435-9.