Campaigners demand action against MMR vaccine.

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MMR campaigners demand action as autism cases soar KEVIN SCHOFIELD EDUCATION

CORRESPONDENT

 

Massive rise in number of secondary pupils with autism in past six years

Campaigners say investigation needed into potential link with MMR vaccine

They claim parents should have the choice of single vaccinations instead

http://news.scotsman.com/health.cfm?id=692602006

Key quote

" The number of young children who have this previously very rare diagnosis is

reaching epidemic proportions and it is being ignored by the medical

establishment. " - Bill Welsh, chairman of Action Against Autism

 

Story in full

A MASSIVE surge in the number of autistic schoolchildren in Scotland has been

exposed after figures showed an increase of more than 600 per cent in secondary

pupils with the condition in the past six years.

 

 

Official statistics show 825 pupils were diagnosed with autistic spectrum

disorder in state secondaries in 2005, compared with 114 in 1999 - an increase

of 623 per cent. Over the same period, the number of autistic youngsters in

primary schools more than quadrupled, from 415 to 1,736.

 

The increases emerged in a written parliamentary answer to be made public

today.

Campaigners last night said the figures were further proof that an urgent

investigation was needed into the rise in the condition and its potential link

with the triple mumps, measles and rubella (MMR) vaccine.

 

Although no link has ever been clinically proven, campaigners say parents

should have the choice of giving their children single vaccinations instead.

 

Bill Welsh, the chairman of Action Against Autism, said: " Nobody has offered a

plausible explanation as to why this has happened.

 

" This is not a Scottish problem; it is a developed world problem, because the

same thing is happening in America, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. One

common factor affecting children throughout the developed world is the

vaccination issue.

 

" The number of young children who have this previously very rare diagnosis is

reaching epidemic proportions and it is being ignored by the medical

establishment.

 

" This is a tragedy for every child concerned and yet our politicians

concentrate on soft areas like obesity and ignore the difficult questions, like

why we have so many children with neurological problems. "

 

Mr Welsh said the situation amounted to an apparent " public health crime " . He

added: " We need truly independent, clinical research into why these children

withdraw into the world of autism. "

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" Our ideal is not the spirituality that withdraws from life but the conquest

of life by the power of the spirit. " - Aurobindo.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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