Q: Is there a link between autism and vaccines?
A: To date there has been no conclusive, scientific evidence that any part of a vaccine, nor any combination of vaccines causes autism.There is also no conclusive data that any type of preservative (i.e., thimerisol) used during the manufacture of vaccines plays any role in causing autism.In 2001, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) released findings from their separate reviews of the available evidence on a possible link between vaccines and autism. Both groups found, independently of one another, that existing evidence does not support such a connection (Immunization Safety Review Committee 2001; Halsey et al 2001).
Because there is no conclusive scientific evidence of a link between autism and vaccines, the National Immunization Program at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), along with the AAP and the American Academy of Family Physicians , suggest that physicians follow the recommended childhood immunization schedule that is published every year (MMWR 1998; Halsey et al 2001).
Physicians are advised to take careful family histories of all their patients to bring to light any factors that might influence their recommendations about the timing of vaccinations.
The CPEA Network, funded by the NICHD and the NIDCD, with additional funding from the CDC, is working to study autism and its relation to the measles/mumps/rubella (MMR) vaccine. CPEA researchers will compare vaccination records of groups of people with autism, to those who do not have autism, to see if the onset of autism symptoms was associated with getting the MMR vaccine or other vaccines.Lab tests in this study will also look for any signs of persistent infections that could be related to the MMR vaccine.
The NICHD fact sheet titled Autism Research at the NICHD—Autism and the MMR Vaccine has more information about this and other studies related to vaccines and autism.This publication and other fact sheets about autism are available on the NICHD Autism Web Site, at www.nichd.nih.gov/autism, or from the NICHD Clearinghouse at 1-800-370-2943.
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