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| Autism rates back MMR jab safety | Autism rates back MMR jab safety |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Latest autism figures should dispel any fears about the MMR jab being linked to the condition, say experts. | Latest autism figures should dispel any fears about the MMR jab being linked to the condition, say experts. |
| The NHS Information Centre found one in every hundred adults living in England has autism, which is identical to the rate in children. | The NHS Information Centre found one in every hundred adults living in England has autism, which is identical to the rate in children. |
| If the vaccine was to blame, autism rates among children should be higher because the MMR has only been available since the early 1990s, the centre says. | If the vaccine was to blame, autism rates among children should be higher because the MMR has only been available since the early 1990s, the centre says. |
| This is the first time the rate in adults has been evaluated. | This is the first time the rate in adults has been evaluated. |
| Tim Straughan, chief executive of The NHS Information Centre, said: "This landmark report is the first major study into the prevalence of autism spectrum disorders among adults to be carried out anywhere in the world. | |
| The findings do not support suggestions of a link between the MMR vaccine and the development of this condition Chief executive of The NHS Information Centre Tim Straughan | |
| "While the sample size was small and any conclusions need to be tempered with caution, the report suggests that, despite popular perceptions, rates of autism are not increasing, with prevalence among adults in line with that among children. | "While the sample size was small and any conclusions need to be tempered with caution, the report suggests that, despite popular perceptions, rates of autism are not increasing, with prevalence among adults in line with that among children. |
| "It also suggests that, among adults, rates of autism remain broadly constant across age groups. | "It also suggests that, among adults, rates of autism remain broadly constant across age groups. |
| "The findings do not support suggestions of a link between the MMR vaccine and the development of this condition." | "The findings do not support suggestions of a link between the MMR vaccine and the development of this condition." |
| Concern over the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine was sparked by a paper published in The Lancet in 1998 by Dr Andrew Wakefield. | Concern over the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine was sparked by a paper published in The Lancet in 1998 by Dr Andrew Wakefield. |
| 'Safe' vaccine | |
| This research has since been discredited. | This research has since been discredited. |
| But, until now, little was known about how autism affected people over the course of a lifetime. | But, until now, little was known about how autism affected people over the course of a lifetime. |
| For example, autism rates could have been lower among older age groups because people had gradually recovered from the condition or died prematurely. | For example, autism rates could have been lower among older age groups because people had gradually recovered from the condition or died prematurely. |
| The latest findings, based on nearly 7,500 adults, suggests that this is not the case, and that prevalence of autism spectrum disorder remains broadly level across all age bands. | The latest findings, based on nearly 7,500 adults, suggests that this is not the case, and that prevalence of autism spectrum disorder remains broadly level across all age bands. |
| While 1% of adults had an autism spectrum disorder, the rate for men was higher (1.8%) than for women (0.2%). This was in line with studies among child populations which show higher rates amongst boys. | While 1% of adults had an autism spectrum disorder, the rate for men was higher (1.8%) than for women (0.2%). This was in line with studies among child populations which show higher rates amongst boys. |
| And in line with recent report from the National Audit Office, the study also found many of these adults are failing to get the diagnosis and specialist help they need. | |
| Mr Straughan said: "This does beg some questions about whether services, as currently configured, are meeting the needs of this group of people." | |
| Mark Lever, chief executive of the National Autistic Society, said: "The NAS has long campaigned to raise awareness of the fact that services and support for adults with autism are woefully inadequate. | |
| "This study gives us further evidence to demand that more vital support is put in place." |