A landmark report issued today by the Institute of Medicine (IOM) rejected childhood vaccines as a cause of autism.  The findings, based on reviews of current scientific evidence, are a significant affirmation of vaccine safety, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).

The AAP hails the report as an excellent resource for doctors who want to reassure parents about the safety of vaccines.  Said AAP President Carden Johnston, M.D., "For most parents, today's report gives them the assurance they need to fully vaccinate their children."

The IOM report can be added to numerous other scientific reviews and studies that have come to the conclusion that neither vaccines nor thimerosal cause autism.  The AAP supports aggressive research into the causes, treatment and prevention of autism.

For more information about the IOM report, go to http://www4.nationalacademies.org/news.nsf/isbn/030909237X?OpenDocument   The AAP news release can be found at: http://www.aap.org