Science on Vaccine Safety Misrepresented by Milwaukee Health Department Official

Science on Vaccine Safety Misrepresented by Milwaukee Health Department Official

During a radio interview on February 7, 2018, the newly appointed head of Milwaukee’s Health Department, Patricia McManus, misrepresented the state of scientific knowledge with respect to vaccine safety. Asked whether the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine causes autism in children, Ms. McManus said:

“I don’t think the answer is there yet. I mean, there’s still people who believe it . . . [and] I think the science is still out.”

The statement drew sharp criticism from scientists, who noted that numerous studies have concluded that the MMR vaccine does not cause autism. The studies have been reviewed and accepted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and National Institutes of Health.