Nassau and Suffolk County legislators held the nation?s first public hearing Thursday on a possible link between childhood vaccines and autism.

Lawmakers heard from experts on both sides of the issue for nearly four hours. Participants say they realized the hearing would not yield any answers but that holding a public hearing is a good first step in dealing with the issue.

President of Nassau Pediatric Society Dr. Paul Lee gave evidence against a possible vaccine-autism link. Emotions ran high as John Gilmore, executive director of Autism United and a proponent of the vaccine-autism link, detailed his personal story about his son who developed autism at 13 months.

Leg. Dave Mejias (D-Farmingdale) says more needs to be done for the 6,000 children on Long Island who are living with the disorder. He says he hopes the hearing opened the doors for more discussion.

County lawmakers don't have jurisdiction to change vaccination laws, but they can make recommendations to state and federal health officials.