News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Thursday, February 12, 2009

Contact: HHS Press Office (202) 690-6343

Statement from the Department of Health and Human Services Regarding the Decisions of the U.S. Court of Federal Claims in the Omnibus Autism Proceeding

As these cases illustrated, there's no doubt that autism and autism spectrum disorders place a heavy burden on many families.  That is one reason why the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services continues to support research to better understand the cause of autistic disorders and develop more effective methods of treatment. 

The medical and scientific communities have carefully and thoroughly reviewed the evidence concerning the vaccine-autism theory and have found no association between vaccines and autism.  If parents have questions or concerns about childhood vaccines, they should talk with their child’s health care provider.

Hopefully, the determination by the Special Masters will help reassure parents that vaccines do not cause autism.

More information about autism and autism spectrum disorders can be found at www.hhs.gov/autism.

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Last revised: July 30, 2009