To the editor:
A recent guest column in the Herald-Star caught my attention ("Vaccines don't cause autism -- here's how we know," Dec. 7.) The author proclaimed that vaccines do not cause autism. I decided to find out more about the author as his biography only mentioned that he was the parent of an autistic child. It was difficult to find information about Greg Scaduto. He is described as a finance leader and a frequent contributor to U.S. News and World Report. This article indicated that he has limited knowledge about statistics and medical research.
I am a retired nurse educator with a PhD in nursing. I worked for 46 years in a variety of settings and positions, including infection control at Ohio Valley Hospital and community and public health faculty. I have taken numerous statistics and research courses and have conducted my own research. I am qualified to discuss public health, vaccines and research.
Scaduto talks about a correlation-causation fallacy. Are there actual studies to support his claims, and who conducted those studies? His Nicolas Cage example was nonsense. Researchers may report a correlation but they do not state that a correlation is a cause -- only that a correlation was found. Scaduto quotes research done in Denmark and suggests that the only way that valid information can be obtained is by analyzing multiple "like-for-like" studies, as he describes double-blind matched-subject studies. Scaduto talks about "stacking thousands of like-for-like studies."
Is he trying to describe a systematic review with meta-analysis? That is a very complex type of research and difficult to describe here. It is not "stacking like-for-like studies." Scaduto talks about removing thimerosal from vaccines in Denmark, which did not decrease autism. Scaduto stated that "with a few basic statistical techniques, it's easy to separate scientifically sound findings from speculation". That statement is proof that Scaduto does not understand research as valid research involves complex statistical analyses.
Vaccines have been used for years. New vaccines have been developed for many diseases. One problem with vaccines is that there is no research to determine how long a vaccine is effective. Originally the MMR was one dose given during infancy. Years later there were outbreaks of measles and it was discovered that the one dose given during infancy did not give long-term immunity. It was then recommended that a second dose be given. There is a lot of controversy about the Hepatitis B vaccine. The first dose of that vaccine is given within one day of birth with the next two doses during infancy. Have any studies been done to determine how long the immunity lasts with the Hepatitis B vaccine? Are blood tests done to determine if the person developed immunity? What happens if later in life the person becomes sexually promiscuous or becomes an IV drug user? Will that person still be protected from Hepatitis B?
Scaduto may be an expert on raising a child with autism, but his knowledge of research on health topics is biased and flawed. He should stick to topics for which he has actual knowledge.
Michalene A. King
Wintersville