E-NEWS FROM THE NATIONAL VACCINE INFORMATION CENTER

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UNITED WAY/COMBINED FEDERAL CAMPAIGN

#9119

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"Protecting the health and informed consent rights of children since 1982."

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Staff Contact: Blain Rethmeier/Beth Crane: (202) 225-5074

Issue:

The Committee on Government Reform is holding a hearing entitled "The Status

of Research Evaluating the Possible Vaccine-Autism Connection." The hearing

is scheduled for June 19, 2002, in room 2154 of the Rayburn House Office

Building at 10:00 a.m.

Background:

During the 106th Congress, the Committee initiated an investigation into

vaccine safety and the dramatic rise in autism rates. Just ten years ago,

autism was estimated to affect 1 in 10,000 children. Today the National

Institutes of Health estimates that 1 in 250 children affected with autism.

We are faced with an epidemic, and determining its underlying causes is

critically important.

The purpose of the hearing is to review research advances regarding the two

most prevalent issues that have arisen: (1) the possible link between

thimerosal in vaccines and autism; and (2) the Wakefield hypothesis

regarding autistic entercolitis and the Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR) vaccine.

Dr. Wakefield's controversial hypthosis resulted from clinical research that

found measles virus in the intestines of autistic children, suffering from

inflammatory bowel disorders (IBD). These children became autistic and

began suffering with IBD shortly after receiving the Measle-Mumps-Rubella

(MMR) vaccine. Dr. Wakefield postulated a connection between the MMR

vaccine and the condition he named autistic entercolitis.

Contact Information:

If you are interested, the Committee can provide a list of witnesses willing

to do media on the above topic as well as Members of Congress passionate

about the issue. For further information, please contact the Government

Reform Committee at 202-225-5074.

Thanks,

Blain Rethmeier Beth Crane

Communications Director Deputy Communications Director

Government Reform Government Reform

Committee Committee

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