Recently, this tweet caught the attention of vaccine critics around the world, myself included.
Yes, it's funny, but it's also disturbing and incredibly frustrating that even though Andy's work has been confirmed by other doctors and researchers, we still have to explain the Andy Wakefield story/Lancet study for those who are too lazy to read deeper than what the mainstream media says.
The dangers of a one-sided story:
The mainstream media continues to state that Andy Wakefield claimed to have found a link between autism and the MMR vaccine. False.
Here is what the study actually said:
"In eight children, the onset of behavioural problems had been linked, either by the parents or by the child’s physician, with measles, mumps, and rubella vaccination. Five had had an early adverse reaction to immunisation (rash, fever, delirium; and, in three cases, convulsions).
We did not prove an association between measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine and the syndrome described. Virological studies are underway that may help to resolve this issue.
If there is a causal link between measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine and this syndrome, a rising incidence might be anticipated after the introduction of this vaccine in the UK in 1988. Published evidence is inadequate to show whether there is a change in incidence or a link with measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine."
This story has been vilified and misrepresented for so long, that most people do not know what the truth is/was anymore. Andy never ever said that vaccines cause autism.
In fact, the British General Medical Council never found any fraudulent data. Only a reporter made that allegation. What's more, is that the co-author of the retracted Lancet study was actually exonerated and his medical license was restored. The only reason Andy did not appeal (with what would have almost certainly resulted in his exoneration as well) was because of the extraordinary expenses required to appeal.
I could go on, but I think the best way to address the poor journalism surrounding this topic is to allow people to hear from Andy himself. You can do so by watching this interview he did with Del Bigtree on The Highwire:
