Autoimmune diseases affect approximately 5% of the population in developed countries.1 That is, one in 20 people in Europe and North America already suffer from a particular type of autoimmune disease. By definition, an autoimmune disease is a malfunction of the immune system that affects the body itself. In the recent past the world has witnessed an increase in the frequency of many different types of autoimmune diseases and cases are constantly increasing. The incidence of type 1 diabetes increased 23% between 2001 and 2009.2 Research has shown that vaccines may play a role in the development of autoimmune diseases, and some have even suggested causal links. There is a lot of counter-evidence to the idea that vaccines can cause autoimmune diseases as there is evidence to support this, as it is a very controversial topic not only among scientists, but also in popular media today. While there is little doubt in the scientific community about the effectiveness and benefits of particular vaccines, it is important to strive for improvement. Understanding the relationship between autoimmune diseases and vaccines will not only help save lives, but will also pave the way for future discoveries and help further advance science and contribute to scientific knowledge. Do vaccines cause autoimmune diseases? It's true that a greater frequency of autoimmune diseases has corresponded with an increase in the use of vaccines over the past two years, leading many to draw links between some vaccines and autoimmune diseases. This fact in itself can be considered an argument in support of the idea that there is a link between autoimmune diseases and vaccines. However, looking at it from a biological point of view, many... middle of paper... orders. HealthDay News, (2012).14. Langmuir, A.D., Bregman, D.J., Kurland, L.T., Nathanson, N. & Victor, M. An epidemiological and clinical evaluation of Guillain-Barre syndrome reported in association with the administration of swine influenza vaccines. I am. J. Epidemiol. 119, 841-879 (1984).15. Nachamkin, I. et al. Induction of anti-ganglioside antibodies by swine (A/NJ/1976/H1N1) and other influenza vaccines: insights into vaccine-associated Guillain-Barré syndrome. J. Infect. Dis. 198, 226-233 (2008).16. Safranek, T.J. et al. Reevaluation of the association between Guillain-Barré syndrome and receipt of swine influenza vaccine in 1976–1977: results of a two-state study. Group of experts in neurology. I am. J. Epidemiol. 133, 940-951 (1991).17. Wraith, DC. Goldman, M. Lambert, PH. Vaccinations and autoimmune diseases: what is the evidence? Hand. 362, 1659-66 (2003).