"1 in 4 Parents Buys Unproven Vaccine-Autism Link"

"CHICAGO — One in four U.S. parents believes some vaccines cause autism in healthy children, but even many of those worried about vaccine risks think their children should be vaccinated.

Most parents continue to follow the advice of their children's doctors, according to a study based on a survey of 1,552 parents. Extensive research has found no connection between autism and vaccines.

'Nine out of 10 parents believe that vaccination is a good way to prevent diseases for their children,' said lead author Dr. Gary Freed of the University of Michigan. 'Luckily their concerns don't outweigh their decision to get vaccines so their children can be protected from life-threatening illnesses.'

In 2008, unvaccinated school-age children contributed to measles outbreaks in California, Illinois, Washington, Arizona and New York, said Dr. Melinda Wharton of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Thirteen percent of the 140 who got sick that year were hospitalized."

Carla K. Johnson reports for the Associated Press March 1, 2010.