Vaccinations Caused Son's Autism, Says Family

By Sophia Brink

Published on November 26, 2007

From Oct. 15 through 18, testimony was heard in the Hazlehurst case. According to testimony, Yates received MMR, Hib, hepatitis B, and Prevnar vaccinations, on Feb. 8, 2001, three days before his first birthday.

The National Immunization Program recommends that children be given the first dose of the MMR vaccine at 12 to 15 months of age. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention assert that studies have found no link between the MMR vaccine and an increased risk of autism.

The Hazlehursts allege that after being vaccinated Yates developed a bumpy rash. His speech started to degenerate, and stopped responding to his parents' attempts to engage his attention. They also claim that Yates developed gastrointestinal problems, a symptom of autism. Yates was finally diagnosed with autism in June 2002.

The Hazlehurst's case was one of three selected to be presented during the Omnibus Autism Proceeding (OAP), a joint proceeding otherwise known as the MMR/Thimerosal Litigation. The OAP is a consolidation of approximately 4,750 claims.

Testimony in the first OAP case ended June 26, and on Nov. 9, the court finished hearing testimony in the third OAP case. The Hazlehursts don't expect a verdict until summer of 2008.