MMR doctor: De Niro backs doctors autism claims
THE doctor at the centre of the MMR scandal has claimed a controversial documentary being supported by Robert de Niro will help vindicate his work.
Dr Andrew Wakefield's documentary about autism backed by Robert De Niro
Dr Andrew Wakefield, who directed the film Vaxxed: From Cover-up To Catastrophe, was struck off the British medical register in 2010 after an investigation ruled his research suggesting a link between the vaccine and autism was flawed.
The film was due to be screened at the Tribeca Film Festival but was pulled after a backlash from scientists and other film-makers.
However last week Hollywood star de Niro spoke out in support of the film after revealing suspicions that his 18-year-old son Elliot’s autism might be linked to the measles, mumps and rubella treatment.
There’s more to this than meets the eye
Dr Wakefield, who continues his campaign against mandatory vaccination from his new home in Austin, Texas, claims that the documentary exposes the “fraud and cover-up” that has kept the truth about the dangers of the MMR vaccine suppressed.
De Niro co-founded the Tribeca Film Festival and initially appeared to support the documentary being pulled.
De Niro spoke last week about how his son Elliot’s autism might be linked to MMR treatment
But the Hollywood star than spoke in support of Dr Wakefield’s theory and urged scientists to reignite the debate.
He said: “There’s more to this than meets the eye... as a parent of a child who has autism I am concerned.”
Dr Wakefield's claims his documentary exposes the 'fraud and cover-up' of the truth about MMR
The film was initially criticised uggesting a link between the vaccine and autism was flawed
Dr Wakefield said: “The truth is finally coming out. This debate is not about me, it is about fraud on vaccination safety and a scandal that has escalated from a public health issue and a direct attack on freedom of speech.”
The documentary, which will be shown in a selection of cinemas worldwide, highlights claims by a US scientist from the US Centers for Disease Control, that the autism risk was allegedly suppressed.