Is Autism Related to Vaccinations?

This morning on the Today show, they talked about the connection (or lack thereof) between vaccinations and autism.  Dr. Paul Offit has disputed and denied that there is a link and has been threatened (including death threats!) and challenged by parents who disagree with him.  Some people feel that, his relationship with drug manufacturer, Merck, combined with the fact that he has developed a vaccine, affects his objectivity on the subject.

The reality is that autism affects as many as 1:150 children (that is huge!) and every 20 minutes a child is diagnosed with the disorder.  My fellow b5media blogger, Dr. Kristina Chew (Autism Vox), agrees with Dr. Offit.  She says that her son was born with autism and does not believe a vaccination is to blame.

What do you believe?  Are childhood vaccinations responsible for autism?