policy statement

Summary
Recent media reports have suggested a possible link between the development of Type 1 diabetes and the administration of a number of vaccines to children, including those for Hemophilus influenza type b (Hib), hepatitis B, and pneumococcus. The JDF believes that there is no credible scientific evidence at this time that supports these claims and that parents should follow the recommendations of the CDC and their child¹s physician concerning the use of these vaccines.

Background
Type 1 diabetes is the result of autoimmune destruction of the beta (insulin producing) cells of the pancreas. Extensive scientific data indicates that there is a genetic component to the development of this disease. However, as most people who are genetically susceptible do not develop diabetes, environmental factors are also believed to play a role. These environmental factors have not yet been identified. The apparent increase in the incidence in Type 1 diabetes in the past decades suggest that exposure to the causative agents has increased and has led to renewed interest in their identification. Because this increase has coincided with the introduction of new vaccines for the prevention of serious childhood diseases, it has led some individuals to claim that these vaccines, particularly when given to children beyond the newborn period, are responsible for this increase.

In response to the claims that the Hib and hepatitis B vaccines were responsible for the increase in Type 1 diabetes, the Johns Hopkins Institute for Vaccine Safety and the National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Disease each held workshops in 1998 to review the available information. These workshops included scientists from the FDA, NIH, CDC, academia and the pharmaceutical industry and included proponents of the proposed link. Both workshops concluded that no vaccine has been shown to cause or to increase the risk of developing Type 1 diabetes in humans. The recent introduction of a 7-valent vaccine for pneumococcal disease has led to claims that this vaccine will also increase the incidence of Type 1 diabetes and, because it is targeted at seven different strains of pneumococcus, is more dangerous than other vaccines. There is, however, no scientific data supporting this claim.

The JDRF supports research aimed at identifying the environmental factors that contribute to the development of Type 1 diabetes, including studies of the effects of vaccines and immunization practices. However, we believe that there is no credible scientific evidence at this time that supports a causal link between any vaccine and Type 1 diabetes. Absent such proof and in view of the proven efficacy of these vaccines in preventing these serious diseases, the JDRF supports the current recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices of the CDC for the administration of these vaccines and urges parents to follow the recommendation of their child¹s physician concerning their use.