In 1998 a paper said that there was a link between autism and the vacination for measles,mumps and rubella.
Vaccines contain inactive viruses that stimulate your immune cells which help fight diseases. Vaccination is important for immunizing people against diseases and helping stop spreading it. but after hearing what this paper said, lots of people including celebrities fueled anxiety about vaccination.
This caused the rates of vaccination to decrease while cases of measles and mumps increased even though over a dozen of stories failed to find any link between autism and vaccines explaining that autism is a complex neurobehavorial disorder.
The senseless and irresponsible demeanour of the media and celebrities have had a more lasting effect with serious consequences than one could imagine. It is additionally sad to note that they will not be paying for it.