Vaccine-Related News
This section contains links to information about vaccines that was recently in the news:
Measles outbreak in Wales
H7N9 influenza in China
Vaccines and autism
Vaccines in the News archive
Measles outbreak in Wales
Increasing numbers of people are becoming infected with measles due to an outbreak occurring in Swansea, Wales. Here’s what you should know about the outbreak:
- Almost 900 people have become infected with measles, 77 of whom have been hospitalized and 1 has died.
- Adolescents and teens (10 to 18 years of age) have been the hardest hit group.
- Many schools in the Swansea area and Britain are performing mass immunization campaigns in an effort to prevent the spread of measles.
Despite the fact that the MMR vaccine is the best way to prevent infection, some people still have concerns about the safety of the vaccine. Here’s what you should know about MMR vaccine safety:
- Side effects that commonly occur after receiving the MMR vaccine include tenderness and redness at the injection site and, for some, a low-grade fever. These are side effects commonly associated with other vaccines.
- Although the individual components of the MMR vaccine are made in eggs, people with severe egg allergies can still receive the MMR vaccine without experiencing any negative side effects.
- The side effects associated with the MMR vaccine are not permanent. Conversely, complications of measles infection, even though rare, can be serious and even cause death among infected individuals. Complications can include pneumonia, encephalitis and subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE).
Resources
A Look at Each Vaccine: MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) Vaccine
H7N9 influenza in China
Human infections with a new type of influenza, H7N9, are occurring in China. Here’s what you should know about the outbreak:
- Human infections with H7N9 influenza are occurring in China, mostly in people who were in contact with infected poultry.
- Person-to-person spread of H7N9 has not been detected to date.
- Symptoms of infection can be mild; however, many infected people experience severe respiratory illness and some die.
- H7N9 has not been detected in people or birds in the U.S.
- Preparedness actions by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and World Health Organization (WHO) include provision of information for travelers to China, candidate vaccine development, test kit modifications, and implementation of guidelines for healthcare providers and clinicians.
Resources
Vaccines and autism
Over the last 15 years, many people have claimed that autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is caused by the MMR vaccine and thimerosal-containing vaccines. Both claims were refuted by multiple, well-controlled scientific studies.
More recently, the claim shifted to “too many vaccines too soon.” Findings from a study published in 2010 disproved the “too many vaccines too soon” claim by showing no relationship between the incidence of autism and the number of vaccines received in the first year of life. In March 2013, a new study published in the Journal of Pediatrics assessed the number of immunologic components (antigens) received by children with ASD and children without ASD. The authors found no relationship between the incidence of autism and the amount of antigenic burden, further disproving the notion that “too many vaccines too soon” causes autism.
Resources
Too Many Vaccines
- Too Many Vaccines: What You Should Know – English
- Too Many Vaccines: What You Should Know – Spanish
Autism
- Vaccines and Autism: What You Should Know – English
- Vaccines and Autism: What You Should Know – Spanish
Media coverage
- Vaccines not associated with risk of autism, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, March 29, 2013
- Multiple Vaccinations on Same Day Does Not Raise Autism Risk, TIME, March 29, 2013
- Autism Risk Isn’t Increased by Vaccine Schedule, Study Finds, Bloomberg News, March 29, 2013
Vaccines in the News archive
Visit our archive page for additional information on the following topics that were featured in previous issues of the In the News section:
- HPV vaccine safety
- Pandemrix and narcolepsy
- Vaccine-resistant whooping cough?
Last updated: May 2013
Materials in this section are updated as new information and vaccines become available. The Vaccine Education Center staff regularly reviews materials for accuracy.
You should not consider the information in this site to be specific, professional medical advice for your personal health or for your family's personal health. You should not use it to replace any relationship with a physician or other qualified healthcare professional. For medical concerns, including decisions about vaccinations, medications and other treatments, you should always consult your physician or, in serious cases, seek immediate assistance from emergency personnel.
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