MMR vaccination and autism: Learnings and implications

Abstract

The Lancet has indeed taken an unprecedented action by retracting a research paper published by Dr. Wakefield citing misconduct and ethical fraud [1]. The paper published in 1998 indicated possible linkage between MMR vaccine and autism [2]. With this, The Lancet has done great service to the cause of public health, especially to developing world where the immunization is the only credible health insurance that could be offered to their citizens. With developing countries already struggling to provide measles vaccine coverage beyond 50% to children, the majority of whom are undernourished caught in the unending vicious cycle of infection, malnutrition and early child mortality.