The IOM is part of the National Academy of Sciences, an independent organisation of scientists and other experts which does research at the request of the government. Furthermore, there is ample reason for concern that such an approach would result in many underimmunised children. If left unchecked, infectious disease like measles, mumps and rubella could cause considerable sickness and death. The origin of the controversy Research by a British doctor in 1998 sparked concern that the vaccine was linked to a perceived increase in the incidence of autism, a severe neurological disorder. Although this shows that the vast majority of the population recognise that MMR is the safest way to protect their children, this level is not sufficient to prevent the resurgence of these diseases in the longer term.
Autism is a permanent neurological disorder.
Children with autism generally have difficulty communicating, may become obsessed with repetitive motions, such as head rolling, behaviour such as uncontrollable head banging and screaming fits, and often are intolerant of changes in their environment. They also may have learning difficulties. Scientists generally agree most cases of autism result from events that occur in the prenatal period or shortly after birth. But the symptoms typically are not seen until the child's second year - at about the same time the MMR vaccine is administered. This can explain why it was originally thought that there was a link between the two.