The findings of a study published in the British Medical Journal twelve years ago linking the three in one measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccination to autism, has now been retracted by the journal claiming researcher Dr. Andrew Wakefield compromised the study by his unethical and ‘callous disregard’ for the children who participated in the study.

But, retraction of the claims by the Journal does not necessarily indicate the results of the study to be wrong.

Ginger O’Conner, a nationally recognized autism expert from the Washington County Board of Developmental Disabilities argues continued research is necessary, despite the retraction of Wakefield’s study.

Beginning in the 1980s and gaining momentum in the 1990s, without any explanation, there has been a dramatic increase in the number of autism cases reported, prompting the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention to commit to further investigation of the issue.

Though there are a number of medical experts who do not believe there to be any link between autism and vaccines, many of them caution against the use of thimerosal, a mercury-based preservative that is to be found in many vaccinations, including for swine flu. The use of Thimerosal used since the 1930s, is to be removed from vaccinations, as recommended by the federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

O’Connor, while not entirely convinced about the connection between autism and the MMR vaccine, is of the opinion the possibility should not be dismissed, as researchers believe there to be a genetic component and an environmental hit, where autism is concerned, with no one knowing what that environmental hit is.

However, some parents of autistic children, such as, Lisa Rudley assert their child’s autism was a direct result of the MMR vaccination.

As well, actress Holly Robinson Peete remembers, her son due to illness missed several appointments for his vaccination, so that his paediatrician wanted him to catch up on all of them the same day. While, she wanted him to wait or break up the cocktail containing the three viruses, he laughed at her fears, belittling her. But, her son’s body unable to handle it, caused him to react violently, going into convulsions, after which he stopped talking, slipping into a silence, no longer saying ‘Hi, Mommy!’ or responding to his name, nor making eye contact.

Recently, television and radio commercials have been targeting the autism epidemic, asking parents to be aware of the signs of autism, such as, a child’s inability to express jubilance, imitate facial expressions and sounds and babble by 12 months of age.

The debate continues, as the link between autism and MMR vaccination has not been confirmed, with O’Connor saying the benefits of vaccination far outweigh the risks. However, Lisa Rudley and Holly Robinson Peete may not agree.