Sridhar Vembu of Zoho stirred up an internet storm by tweeting about the possible link of autism to the growing number of vaccines given to children in India. He had only asked the parents to analyse the connection but doctors, so called public health experts vehemently started opposing Vembu's claims, labeling them "dangerous misinformation" that could erode “vaccine trust”!
What followed was strong reactions from the medical and social media influencers with some of them even asking Vembu to “stay in lane,” some asking him to delete his tweet, some calling him irresponsible and some threatening to uninstall Zoho’s app Arattai.
The discussion drew over million views on Vembu's initial post, hundreds of replies, and widespread media coverage.
What is the reason for this extreme reaction by doctors is a question to be asked? Is Vaccine the Voldemort of modern science to be left undiscussed, unscrutinised, unquestioned?
One Shruti Dhapola wrote in the Indian Express “Let’s talk about support for families dealing with Autism, not vaccines”. Though her concerns about how autism burdens families financially are valid but does it mean that causes and cures should not be talked about as per her article?
She also talks about policy-level changes to support families of autism impacted children though it was not clear from her article if her expectations were from private companies or from the government as well!
Now when policy level changes are being talked about, it is surprising that there is hardly any discussion about the vaccine schedules followed via the Immunisation Program in India even after the growing concern. There are enough research papers available supporting the vaccine-autism link or the rise in auto-immune diseases in children but the so called “scientific” community seems to be totally closed to any sort of discussion. The co-administration of several vaccines, one after the other needs serious questioning because a growing number of vaccines administered at the same time or in close succession, increases the complexity of assessing vaccine safety. No controlled trials and very few observational studies have determined the impact of vaccination schedules on the overall health of children.
What also followed Vembu’s tweet were a series of testimonies from various parents of autistic children who could make the direct connection to the vaccines.
One parent wrote “My son diagnosed with Autism at the age of 3, our lives became upside down. As a father I know, vaccines caused its, he was all fine till 3 years, post these MMR and related vaccines he declined. I do not want this to happen to any other kid; I will fight till my last breath.”
Another parent wrote “My first child was born in midst of 2020 onset of Covid times and as a parent and physician trying to ask basic questions about vaccines, we were flat out discharged from paediatrician office. And I am grateful to the Creator that this happened because it took me through a journey of medical literature and science discovery about the world of vaccines. I have been able to make more informed health decisions for my children and work on their whole health and on building a foundation of sound gut microbiome and overall immune and metabolic health as they grow.”
Another parent questioned “What is unscientific? 3% of the healthy innocent new born kids in US become Autistic before they turn 2 by following CDC. My son attained all milestones on time and became non-verbal after the 15th month wellness check 6 shots in 1 day”.
Vembu himself mentions about the aggressive vaccine schedule in another tweet. He writes “I have met Professors of Immunology in reputed medical schools in the US who -- 15 years ago -- had serious reservations on the aggressive vaccine schedule but would tell you it was suicidal for them to speak up”.
“The way the vaccine debate has been shut down, suppressed, and the doctors who questioned the dogma professionally tormented, should give us pause,” Vembu also wrote!
The ordeal of these parents does not end here. It is a lifelong struggle, it is not merely the Autism diagnosis but the daily challenges the parents face, besides the worry about the child's long-term ability to cope with the world.
Are these parent testimonies not compelling enough to motivate the policy makers to have a relook at the number of vaccines been administered? Do these real life struggles not move the doctors who blindly dismiss the vaccine link?
Would Vembu, given his closeness to the government, be able to influence any policy level changes or will be it suicidal for him, are open questions at this point!
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*Digital marketing and content management professional with keen interest in public health policies
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