OXFORD, England, Oct. 19 (UPI) -- There is "no credible evidence" the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine causes disabilities, researchers say after a review of statistically sound studies.
This review published in The Cochrane Library looked at studies involving millions of children around the world and concluded that the combined measles, mumps and rubella, or MMR, vaccines are safe and effective.
"No credible evidence of an involvement of MMR with either autism or Crohn's disease was found," lead author and Italian epidemiologist Vittorio Demicheli said.
The combined MMR vaccine's safety came into question in a 1998 article in The Lancet, which linked it to autism and Crohn's disease in a dozen children. The authors published a retraction last year.
While some doctors believe a mercury-based preservative once used in some vaccines -- but not in the MMR -- caused autism, reputable studies have found no such evidence, The Cochrane Library said.
