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done on risk communication, including a better understanding of trade-off issues and of the complexity of developing and explaining quantitative risk-benefit estimates. In the meantime, the committee urges CDC, FDA, NIH, AAP, and similar organizations to take to heart the serious concerns and earnest offers from the concerned public to help with information exchange and communication strategies.
Finally, the committee did not have time to address responsibly the appropriateness of alternative immunization schedules or practices, which might be requested in a clinical setting. This has been discussed by others, especially recently with regard to MMR vaccine, and is of great interest and concern to many.
Because the committee believes these to be issues that will emerge in many of its subsequent meetings, it will hold specific comments, conclusions, and recommendations for the future. The committee does pledge to address these matters over the next 3 years and will develop a mechanism for further input into its work in this area.
SUMMARY
The Immunization Safety Review committee concludes that the evidence favors rejection of a causal relationship at the population level between MMR vaccine and ASD. However, this conclusion does not exclude the possibility that MMR vaccine could contribute to ASD in a small number of children. Because of the limitations of the evidence, the significant public concern surrounding the issue, the risk of disease outbreaks if immunization rates fall, and the seriousness of ASD, the committee recommends that continued attention be given to this issue. This committee has provided targeted research and communication recommendations. However, the committee does not recommend a policy review at this time of the licensure of MMR vaccine or of the current schedule and recommendations regarding administration of MMR vaccine.
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