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A doctor administering a shot to a young boy in a medical office.

Autism is Not Caused by Vaccines

Many studies show that vaccines do not cause autism. They are carefully tested to ensure they’re safe and essential for maintaining good health. Consult your doctor to obtain accurate information.

Do vaccines cause autism?

There is no scientific evidence supporting a link between vaccines and autism. There have been multiple large-scale studies that have consistently found no association between vaccination and the development of autism, including:

  • A 2002 study in the New England Journal of Medicine involving over 500,000 children.
  • A 2014 analysis of 10 studies covering over 1.2 million children.
  • A 2019 study in the Annals of Internal Medicine tracking over 650,000 children.

Why do people think that autism is caused by vaccines?

Some people used to think that the MMR vaccine (which protects against measles, mumps, and rubella) could cause autism. This idea came from a study in 1998 by a doctor named Andrew Wakefield. That study was later proven to be fake and was taken down by the science journal that published it. Many other studies have been done since then, and they all show there is no link between the MMR vaccine and autism.

What should I do if I have concerns about vaccinating my child?

It is important to make your decisions using trusted scientific evidence and the guidance of medical professionals. If you are concerned about vaccinating your child, speak with your healthcare provider. They can provide you with accurate information, address any questions or worries you may have, and help with your decision.

Before vaccines are approved for public use, they undergo rigorous testing in clinical trials to ensure they are effective and safe. Once approved, vaccines are continuously monitored for any negative effects. The benefits of vaccination far outweigh the potential risks, which are typically mild.

A doctor administering a shot to a young girl in a medical office.

The scientific research has been done and the results are clear—vaccines do not cause autism.

— Alison Singer, President, Autism Science Foundation

References

Hviid, A., Hansen, J. V., Frisch, M., & Melbye, M. (2019). Measles, mumps, rubella vaccination and autism: a nationwide cohort study. Annals of internal medicine, 170(8), 513-520. https://doi.org/10.7326/M18-210

Taylor, L. E., Swerdfeger, A. L., & Eslick, G. D. (2014). Vaccines are not associated with autism: an evidence-based meta-analysis of case-control and cohort studies. Vaccine, 32(29), 3623-3629.

Hviid, A., Hansen, J. V., Frisch, M., & Melbye, M. (2019). Measles, mumps, rubella vaccination and autism: a nationwide cohort study. Annals of internal medicine, 170(8), 513-520. https://doi.org/10.7326/M18-210

Madsen, K. M., Hviid, A., Vestergaard, M., Schendel, D., Wohlfahrt, J., Thorsen, P., ... & Melbye, M. (2002). A population-based study of measles, mumps, and rubella vaccination and autism. New England Journal of Medicine, 347(19), 1477-1482.

Taylor, L. E., Swerdfeger, A. L., & Eslick, G. D. (2014). Vaccines are not associated with autism: an evidence-based meta-analysis of case-control and cohort studies. Vaccine, 32(29), 3623-3629.

Hviid, A., Hansen, J. V., Frisch, M., & Melbye, M. (2019). Measles, mumps, rubella vaccination and autism: a nationwide cohort study. Annals of internal medicine, 170(8), 513-520. https://doi.org/10.7326/M18-210

Taylor, L. E., Swerdfeger, A. L., & Eslick, G. D. (2014). Vaccines are not associated with autism: an evidence-based meta-analysis of case-control and cohort studies. Vaccine, 32(29), 3623-3629.

Wakefield, A. J., Murch, S. H., Anthony, A., Linnell, J., Casson, D. M., Malik, M., ... & Walker-Smith, J. A. (1998). RETRACTED: Ileal-lymphoid-nodular hyperplasia, non-specific colitis, and pervasive developmental disorder in children. The lancet, 351(9103), 637-641.

Gidengil, C., Goetz, M. B., Newberry, S., Maglione, M., Hall, O., Larkin, J., ... & Hempel, S. (2021). Safety of vaccines used for routine immunization in the United States: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis. Vaccine, 39(28), 3696-3716.

Gust, D. A., Darling, N., Kennedy, A., & Schwartz, B. (2008). Parents with doubts about vaccines: which vaccines and reasons why. Pediatrics, 122(4), 718-725. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2007-0538