Voices for Vaccines is reporting on several common anti-vaccine claims, providing factual clarifications regarding autism, COVID-19 vaccines, and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
It said claims suggesting autistic people did not exist before vaccines are inaccurate. Voices for Vaccines explained that 40 years ago, autism was not understood as it is today, leading to many children being undiagnosed or "hidden away." The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) later ensured more children with disabilities were included in public schools. Voices for Vaccines reiterated that studies show vaccines do not cause autism, which is primarily genetic and begins during prenatal development.
Regarding claims that COVID-19 vaccines cause cancer, Voices for Vaccines addressed a South Korean study cited by Peter McCullough’s group. It said the retrospective study, which suggested a lower cancer risk in unvaccinated individuals, has significant methodological problems. Voices for Vaccines pointed out that such studies can miss important differences, like vaccinated individuals being more likely to seek medical checkups and thus detect cancer earlier. It also dismissed claims about SV40 DNA sequences, explaining that while early polio vaccines were contaminated, large studies found no increased cancer rates. It added that modern mRNA vaccines may use a tiny, non-tumor-linked SV40 DNA "promoter" during manufacturing, mostly removed from the final product. Voices for Vaccines concluded that evidence does not support a link between COVID-19 vaccines and cancer, with some research even suggesting mRNA technology could help fight cancer.
Voices for Vaccines also addressed a case where a woman, now charged with murder, claimed her 18-month-old twins died due to vaccines. It stated that numerous studies have found no evidence linking vaccines to SIDS. Voices for Vaccines noted some studies show no change in SIDS risk after vaccination, while others indicate a lower risk. It clarified that experts do not claim vaccines prevent SIDS, as other factors like safe sleep practices are often correlated. Voices for Vaccines advised against speculating on the cause of death for the twins, noting their parents made vaccine-related claims to an anti-vaccine group shortly after the deaths without medical evidence.