There is a vaccine currently in the works that could be used to prevent an influenza-like coronavirus. After two children who were vaccinated died, one with autism and no history of sensory issues, many parents are questioning if this vaccine could lead to autism. The CDC has released statements on their website saying they have not seen any correlation between vaccines and autism but there will continue to be more research done into the possibility before any decision can be made as far as whether or not it should become standard practice for children.
When will we be able to hold the individuals we care about in our arms? When will we be able to rejoice in big crowds without wearing masks to hide our smiles? When can children study in crowded classrooms in groups? For many individuals, the solution entails a single little injection.
The possibility of eradication — or at the very least, illness control — comes with a coronavirus vaccination. The argument holds that if a large number of individuals get the vaccination, fewer people will develop significant symptoms that lead to sickness or death.
Researchers are starting from scratch with the coronavirus, but they aim to create a vaccine shortly. Unfortunately, some individuals will refuse to accept the treatment that a vaccination might provide because they believe it will cause autism.
Processes for Vaccine Development Typical Vaccine Development Processes
Vaccines are used by doctors to enhance the immune system. A little amount of an infectious agent is enough to teach the body to attack and destroy intruders. The basic concept is straightforward, but the development procedure is difficult.
A vaccine’s clinical development is divided into three stages.
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Phase 1: The vaccine is given to a limited group of persons. Evidence of effectiveness and damage is sought by researchers.
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Phase 2: If the first phase is effective, the vaccine is given to a larger cohort. Researchers are looking for proof of efficacy and danger once again.
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Phase 3: If phases 1 and 2 go well, the vaccine will be given to a large number of individuals. The product is licensed at the conclusion of this stage if it is successful.
Officials continue to check effectiveness and safety even after the stages are completed. They look at complaints from individuals who say they became sick after being vaccinated, and they analyze the quality and efficacy of the vaccine vials.
The Timelines for Coronavirus Vaccines Vary
Researchers often take years to produce a safe and effective vaccination. They must next locate a company who will make, package, and deliver the product to those who need it. Some would argue that we don’t need to wait years for a coronavirus vaccination.
COVID-19 is one of numerous coronaviruses, and scientists have been hunting for a vaccine to prevent these infections for a long time. When COVID-19 was released, many businesses believed they had the solution.
A number of vaccines are currently being developed, including those that:
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Attack the virus’s genetic elements.
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Deliver viral strains that have been rendered inactive.
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Attack the virus’s enveloping protein.
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Prevent the virus particles from being taken up by the body.
Early in July, newspapers reported that 19 vaccine candidates were now being tested on humans, with another 130 in the early phases of research. Each of these options must go through the procedures indicated above.
It’s hard to predict what chemicals will be used and how they’ll perform since vaccines are so diverse and novel. Consumers may be able to pick from a variety of vaccinations, each of which may act differently. We just do not know enough at this time.
There is an extremely low chance that any of these will cause an increase in autism cases in the next three years because:
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The dangers are greatest during pregnancy. Although autism has a hereditary component, an environmental attack during pregnancy may have an impact on the disease’s development.
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Pregnant women are unlikely to be enrolled in clinical studies. To fully comprehend how the vaccination works in the body of a pregnant woman, researchers will need to do much more research.
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It’s possible that women of reproductive age aren’t the first to get vaccinated. People aged 55 and over are the most vulnerable to coronavirus symptoms, and they may be the first to get available immunizations.
Regardless of the contents in a coronavirus vaccination or how the injections function, the chance of the injection harming a large number of developing newborns is very low.
Vaccines are not linked to the development of autism.
Fear and skepticism about vaccines are prevalent. In fact, it’s so frequent that only around half of Americans want to receive the coronavirus vaccine. That, according to health professionals, is concerning.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states quite clearly that Vaccines are not linked to the development of autism.. Ingredients and efficacy have been studied repeatedly, and researchers have never discovered a clear link between a shot and a child born with autism. They keep looking, but the connection just doesn’t seem real.
Advocates continue to advocate for that link, and they’ve proposed various hypotheses concerning vaccination hazards over the years, including:
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Gut health is important. They stated that the MMR vaccination caused harm to digestive systems in youngsters, which resulted in autism-related abnormalities. This hypothesis has been proven false.
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Ingredients. They argued that thimerosal, a preservative used in certain vaccinations, was responsible for the development of autism. Despite the lack of proof of danger, manufacturers shifted to thimerosal-free formulas, yet autism rates did not decrease. This hypothesis may also be referred to as disproved.
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There are many vaccinations available. They argued that receiving too many doses at once overburdened the body and caused autism in youngsters. This notion has also been disproven, according to specialists, since autism develops before birth.
Concerns about a child’s health and well-being are understandable. It’s also a good idea for parents to learn all they can about coronavirus and how to keep their children safe. Concerns concerning immunizations may be put to rest at this stage. The danger seems to be non-existent.
References
The Approval Process and Vaccine Testing (May 14, 2014) The CDC stands for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
COVID-19 Vaccine Research and Development (April 2020). Nature.
Are We Close to Discovering a Coronavirus Vaccine? Here’s what’s going on. (In July of 2020). CNET.
How — and When — Will a Coronavirus Vaccine Be Available? (In June of 2020). ProPublica.
Only 50% of Americans intend to get the COVID-19 vaccine. Here’s How to Convince the Others. (In June of 2020). The American Association for the Advancement of Science is a scientific organization based in the United States.
Vaccines are not linked to the development of autism.. (March 2020). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
A Tale of Shifting Hypotheses: Vaccines and Autism (Aug. 2010) Infectious Diseases in Clinical Practice.
Janice is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. She graduated from the University of British Columbia with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Special Education. She also holds a Master of Science in Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) from Queen’s University, Belfast. She has worked with and case managed children and youth with autism and other intellectual and/or developmental disabilities in home and residential setting since 2013.
