No link between vaccines and autism: MOH
ST Forum: 26Oct 2009
MR TAN Soon Kiam ('Dispel concerns about complications after vaccinating kids', Forum Online last Thursday) was concerned about complications from childhood vaccines.
We would like to assure Mr Tan that the vaccines used here have been approved by the Health Sciences Authority and are deemed safe for the intended use by the general population. Side effects are usually mild, like a sore arm or a slight fever. Serious allergic reactions are very rare.
As for Mr Tan's concerns about autism and vaccination, there is strong scientific evidence to show that there is no link between vaccines and autism. This view is shared by the health authorities in the United States, Britain and the World Health Organisation. Independent reviews by the Cochrane Collaboration and the US Institute of Medicine have also come to the same conclusion.
In fact, the unfounded belief that vaccines can cause autism has caused much harm. It had led to declines in immunisation coverage in some countries in Europe, to the point where measles had been declared endemic in Britain, and epidemics had occurred in Switzerland, Austria and Italy last year.
Karen Tan (Ms)Director, Corporate Communications
Ministry of Health
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