Skepticism and fear surrounding vaccines were fed by a flawed study done in 1998 linking the MMR vaccine to autism. The study was quickly discredited, we’re still dealing with the repercussions.

How Fear of the Measles Vaccine Took Hold

Producers: Bonnie Bertram and Erik German
Reporter: Meral Agish
Additional Reporter: Sianne Garlick

Vaccines are one of the greatest achievements in the history of public health. So why are we always hearing about the reappearance of a disease like measles that we thought had been eradicated? And why does the vaccine against measles, mumps and rubella generate debate, even though its safety has been proven repeatedly? Skepticism and fear surrounding vaccines were fed by a flawed study done in 1998. The study was quickly discredited, but years later, we’re still dealing with the repercussions.

View full episodes at PBS.org/RetroReport.

Related:
A Discredited Vaccine Study’s Continuing Impact on Public Health by Clyde Haberman

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