New study to examine link between childhood vaccines and autism risk
Recent studies indicate that the prevalence of autism in Kenya is rising, though it remains underreported due to limited access to healthcare services and a lack of awareness about early signs.
The US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has announced plans to research whether childhood vaccinations may be linked to the risk of autism.
Despite years of scientific consensus stating that there is no substantial evidence to support such a connection, the ongoing investigation, currently going on in the US, led by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has reignited the debate.
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Health experts have long argued that there is no reliable scientific data that links childhood vaccines to autism. Instead, they point to other factors, particularly genetics and diet, as being more influential in the development of autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
Vaccinations are recognised for their safety and effectiveness by contributing to herd immunity.
However, vaccine scepticism and hesitancy have led to declining vaccination rates in some places. In the US, for example, this hesitancy has contributed to outbreaks of preventable diseases like measles.
This has prompted renewed efforts from public health officials to ensure that children receive their routine vaccinations while reinforcing the safety of vaccines.
Leading experts, including Dr. Danelle Fisher, a US-based paediatrician at Providence Saint John’s Health Centre in Santa Monica, California, emphasise that multiple large-scale studies over the past two decades have found no credible evidence linking vaccines to autism.
“The scientific community has researched this thoroughly, and there’s no evidence that childhood vaccines cause autism,” Dr. Fisher said.
Dr. Bryan King, vice-chair for child psychiatry at the University of California, San Francisco, echoed this point, saying, “Scientists have looked at whether different preservatives in vaccines could have an effect, and none exists.”
He emphasised that areas with lower vaccination rates have seen a resurgence of severe illnesses like measles, which vaccines have proven to prevent.
Vaccination in protecting public health
In Kenya, as well as other parts of the world, childhood vaccinations play a critical role in reducing preventable diseases.
Immunisation programmes in Kenya have led to a significant reduction in diseases like polio and measles, but vaccine hesitancy is still a concern in some regions.
With the recent government polio campaigns over the last two years, there has been some debate, with parents and guardians following reports of severe reactions and more than two tragic deaths during the vaccination phase.
However, health officials encouraged the mass vaccination and other routine vaccinations as part of their national health policies to reduce the incidence of infectious diseases and protect those most vulnerable.
Autism in Kenya: prevalence and early detection
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects communication, social interaction, and behavior. It is characterised by a range of symptoms, such as repetitive movements, delayed speech or language skills, and an intense focus on specific interests.
In Kenya, autism has gained more attention in recent years, with increasing awareness and research into its prevalence.
Recent studies indicate that the prevalence of autism in Kenya is rising, though it remains underreported due to limited access to healthcare services and a lack of awareness about early signs.
According to research conducted by Kenyan medical institutions, approximately 1 in 100 children may be diagnosed with autism, though this figure may be an underestimation. There are significant regional differences in the diagnosis and management of autism, with urban areas generally having better access to services than rural areas.
Early intervention is critical in improving outcomes for children with autism.
Kenyan parents can look for early signs such as delayed speech, repetitive behaviours (like rocking or handflapping), a lack of social interaction, and intense interests in specific objects or activities.
Early signs can often appear before the age of two, and seeking early diagnostic assessments is key to accessing appropriate therapies that can improve the child’s quality of life.
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