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Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disability that can cause significant social, communication, and behavioral challenges. Recent estimates from the CDC’s Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network found that about 1 in 36 children have been identified with ASD in communities across the United States. The CDC is committed to providing essential data on ASD, searching for causes and factors that increase the risk for ASD, and developing resources that help identify children with ASD as early as possible.

Vaccines Do Not Cause Autism

There has been concern among some parents and caregivers that vaccines might be linked to ASD. However, extensive research has shown that there is no link between receiving vaccines and developing ASD. The National Academy of Medicine, formerly known as the Institute of Medicine, reviewed the safety of eight vaccines for children and adults. The review concluded that with rare exceptions, these vaccines are very safe.

Source: Adverse Effects of Vaccines: Evidence and Causality (Institute of Medicine, 2012)

A CDC study published in 2013 further reinforced these findings. The study focused on the number of antigens given during the first two years of life. Antigens are substances in vaccines that cause the body’s immune system to produce disease-fighting antibodies. The results showed that the total amount of antigen from vaccines received was the same between children with ASD and those who did not have ASD.

Source: Increasing exposure to antibody-stimulating proteins and polysaccharides in vaccines is not associated with risk of autism (Journal of Pediatrics, 2013)

Vaccine Ingredients Do Not Cause Autism

One vaccine ingredient that has been specifically studied is thimerosal. Thimerosal is a mercury-based preservative used to prevent germs like bacteria and fungi from contaminating multidose vials of vaccines. Research has shown that thimerosal does not cause ASD. In fact, a 2004 scientific review by the IOM concluded that "the evidence favors rejection of a causal relationship between thimerosal-containing vaccines and autism."

Source: Immunization Safety Review: Vaccines and Autism (The National Academies Press, 2004)

Since 2003, nine CDC-funded or conducted studies have found no link between thimerosal-containing vaccines and ASD. These studies also found no link between the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine and ASD in children. Learn more about the CDC Studies on Thimerosal in Vaccines.

Even before studies showed that thimerosal was not harmful, there was a national effort to reduce all types of mercury exposures in children. As a precaution, thimerosal was removed or reduced to trace amounts in all childhood vaccines between 1999 and 2001. Currently, the only type of vaccine that contains thimerosal is the flu vaccine packaged in multidose vials. There are thimerosal-free alternatives available for the flu vaccine. For more information, see the Timeline for Thimerosal in Vaccines.

Besides thimerosal, some people have had concerns about other vaccine ingredients in relation to ASD. However, no links have been found between any vaccine ingredients and ASD.

Conclusion

The overwhelming body of scientific evidence supports the conclusion that vaccines do not cause autism. It is crucial for parents and caregivers to be informed by credible, scientific sources when making decisions about vaccinations. Vaccines play a critical role in protecting children from serious diseases, and ensuring they are up-to-date on their vaccinations is essential for their health and the health of the community.

By AUTISM LATINO MAGAZINE in Association with BLOCK WORK MEDIA GROUP

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DATA SOURCE: For more information, visit the CDC’s Autism and Vaccines Safety page.