Multiple Sclerosis Is Not Caused By Vaccines

Previous studies that had linked multiple sclerosis and vaccines may have been because of the vaccine's ability to accelerate the disease's spread without the obvious symptoms. However, it has recently been found that the vaccines do not cause/create multiple sclerosis in the patients. Scientists have researched around 4,700 people who had been vaccinated for hepatitis B (Hep B) and the human papillomavirus (HPV). It was found that these vaccines did not cause any risks of developing the disease or any other similar nervous system diseases for that matter.A few anti-vaccine social groups had raised concerns that the Hep B and HPV vaccines that could lead to the devastation of myelin (an insulating material found around parts of the nerve cells called axons). This type of damage is called as demyelination. This condition can result into a number of neurodegenerative autoimmuno diseases.The studies previously conducted on this topic have been very shallow and most have found no relation between the disease and vaccinations; however, two studies did suggest a slight increase in the risk of the disease' spread. Hence, the matter remains controversial. This latest study has been the largest until date and has kept track of the patients for three years after they had themselves vaccinated. In the results published on October 20, in the JAMA Neurology journal, the scientists suggested that the small risk of developing the disease after being vaccinated that was found in earlier studies, was actually when they already had multiple sclerosis or any other neurodegenerative autoimmune diseases. It is most probably because the patients who receive vaccinations, move more quickly from the subclinical stage (a stage where symptoms are not visible) to a stage with visible symptoms. The report's lead author was Dr. Annette Langer-Gould.


She stated that an even larger scale study was required to come to any conclusions. However, it can be currently said that any associations that have been found till date, might just be coincidental. For example, women are at a higher risk of multiple sclerosis as compared to men, while they are most likely to be vaccinated after their diagnosis. The situation is similar to how autism is revealed in babies at the time when they are about to be vaccinated for several diseases. Further research is therefore required to make sure that there is no connection between the two. Until then, risking the combination of both is a risk.