Doctors: Climb in autism cases adds to evidence against vaccine link

A new study finds that autism cases in California have continued to climb.

This, even after a vaccine preservative containing mercury -- blamed by some for the neurological disorder -- was removed from routine childhood shots.

State health department researchers found that the autism rate in children rose continuously from 1995 to 2007.

The preservative hasn't been used in childhood vaccines since 2001, though it is used in some flu shots.

Doctors say the study adds to existing evidence against a link between exposure to the preservative (thimerosal) and the risk of autism. And they say the study should reassure parents that autism isn't caused by vaccinations.

Results were published in January's issue of the journal Archives of General Psychiatry. The study did not explore why there's been an increase in autism cases.