No Evidence MMR Vaccine Is Safer Than Measles, Mumps or Rubella, PIC Reports
New data from PIC highlights greater risks of disability or death from the MMR vaccine compared to the diseases themselves.
Physicians for Informed Consent (PIC) has unveiled a comprehensive new collection of educational documents designed to help physicians, policymakers and the public better understand the risks and benefits of measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) and the associated vaccine. Drawing on data from authoritative sources such as the National Center for Health Statistics, this collection provides an informed perspective to support healthcare decisions.
The collection includes a Disease Information Statements (DIS) for measles, mumps and rubella, along with a Vaccine Risk Statement (VRS) for the MMR vaccine. These resources offer key insights into both the diseases and the vaccine, equipping individuals with evidence-based information to guide their choices.
A Closer Look at the Data
Dr. Shira Miller, founder and president of PIC, highlights the evolution of the organization’s research:
“The Measles DIS was our first back in 2017 and it highlighted a pre-vaccine measles mortality rate of 1 in 1,000 reported cases and 1 in 10,000 total cases (reported and unreported cases). Now, we have included new data which shows that the measles prevaccine mortality rate was about 1 in 90,000 total cases, in children who did not have a vitamin A deficiency.”
Key Findings
Measles, Mumps, and Rubella:
- Most cases are benign.
- Fatality and permanent disability from these diseases were rare in the U.S. before mass vaccination programs.
- Measles: 1 in 93,000 cases (0.001%) resulted in permanent disability or death among those with adequate vitamin A levels.
- Mumps: 1 in 66,000 cases (0.002%) were fatal or caused permanent disability.
- Rubella: 1 in 210,000 cases (0.0005%) contracted after birth were fatal.
The MMR Vaccine:
- Immunity wanes over time:
- ~60% of vaccinated children are susceptible to measles by age 15.
- ~50% are susceptible to mumps within 19 years.
- ~30% are susceptible to rubella within 15 years.
- Safety studies lack robustness:
- A Cochrane Library review found safety outcomes in MMR vaccine studies “largely inadequate.”
- Potential adverse effects:
- The Institute of Medicine has not ruled out connections between MMR vaccination and conditions such as neurological disorders, autoimmune diseases, and chronic fatigue syndrome.
- Seizures occur in about 1 in 640 vaccinated children, five times more often than seizures caused by measles infection.
- Comparison of risks:
- The MMR vaccine has not been proven to be safer than the diseases it aims to prevent.
Empowering Informed Choices
PIC’s new materials provide vital information to help families weigh the risks of measles, mumps, rubella, and the MMR vaccine. By presenting transparent data, the organization encourages informed, individualized healthcare decisions.
Stay informed, stay empowered and join the conversation about the risks and benefits of vaccines in public health.
Source: Physicians for Informed Consent
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