Fact: “Vaxxed” is not an anti-vaccination movie. It covers the investigation of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine research revealed by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention researcher and whistleblower William Thompson, who discovered a very high statistical correlation between MMR vaccine given before 3 years of age and the subsequent development of autism in the black population. It details how critical data were intentionally suppressed to preserve the MMR program, and the trail of corruption to the very top of the agency.

Fact: Andrew Wakefield did not falsify vaccine research for his own gain. He wrote a clinical report regarding 12 children who developed autism accompanied with severe gastrointestinal inflammation after receiving the MMR vaccine. The clinical research of Wakefield and Professor John Walker-Smith discovered the same MMR measles strain in the intestines of these children. The report only hypothesized the possibility that MMR could be harmful and suggested further research.

Fact: Other researchers did come to the same conclusion. Two other researchers discovered the same correlation between gut inflammation and autism in seven children. In 1996 they presented their findings in “Enterocolitis and Disintegrative Disorder Following MMR.” Also, Wake Forest University found 70 of 82 autistic children in their study had the same MMR measles strain in their intestines.

Fact: Walker-Smith won his appeal against the British General Medical Council – de facto exoneration for Wakefield.

– Stephen C. L’Hommedieu, Wichita

Published June 21, 2016