Health and Me

Itisha Arya

Is There Any Link Between Vaccines And Autism? WHO Explains Why Not

Is There Any Link Between Vaccines And Autism WHO Explains

The World Health Organization (WHO) has reaffirmed that childhood vaccines do not cause autism spectrum disorders (ASD). This follows a fresh review by the WHO’s Global Advisory Committee on Vaccine Safety (GACVS), which examined 31 major studies published between January 2010 and August 2025. Last month, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) adjusted its website wording, which some argued weakened its earlier, science-backed position that vaccines are not linked to autism. The WHO has now made its stance clear.

Years of research consistently show no causal relationship between vaccinations and autism or other developmental conditions. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has long promoted anti-vaccine views, has repeatedly claimed vaccines contribute to autism, despite evidence to the contrary. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus clarified in a Geneva press conference that vaccines do not cause autism.

<h2>WHO Rejects Claims Of Link Between Vaccines And Autism</h2>

“Today, WHO is releasing a new analysis by the Global Advisory Committee on Vaccine Safety, which concludes, based on all available evidence, that vaccines are not linked to autism,” said Tedros, as per the official WHO report. The committee reviewed 31 studies conducted across multiple countries over 15 years, looking at vaccines containing thiomersal—a preservative used to prevent bacterial and fungal growth in multi-dose vials—and aluminium adjuvants.

“The review found no evidence connecting vaccines, including those with aluminium or thiomersal, to autism,” Tedros added. “This is the fourth review of its kind, following similar evaluations in 2002, 2004, and 2012, all of which reached the same conclusion: vaccines do not cause autism. Like any medical product, vaccines can have side effects, which WHO monitors carefully, but autism is not one of them.”

<h2>What Is Autism Spectrum Disorder?</h2>

ASD usually refers to Autism Spectrum Disorder, a developmental condition that affects communication, social skills, and behavior, with a wide range of symptoms. It can also mean Atrial Septal Defect, a congenital heart condition characterized by a hole in the upper chambers of the heart. Context is important: the first is neurological, the second cardiac, according to the CDC.

<h2>RFK Jr Blames Vaccines For Causing Autism</h2>

Health And Me has previously reported that Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has long claimed that vaccines are responsible for autism. He has cited the rising autism diagnoses over recent decades—from about 1 in 150 children in 2000 to roughly 1 in 36 today—as evidence of vaccine harm. However, multiple studies have debunked this, showing that increased awareness, better screening, and broader diagnostic definitions that include milder forms of autism largely explain the rise. Kennedy’s assertions have been widely criticized by health authorities and autism advocacy groups.

According to the CDC, about half of parents surveyed who have autistic children believe that vaccines may have contributed to their child’s autism. This statistic comes from a 2006 survey published in the Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics. The CDC explains that these vaccines are typically those administered within the first six months of life—such as Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis (DTaP), Hepatitis B (HepB), Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib), inactivated Poliovirus (IPV), and Pneumococcal conjugate (PCV)—as well as one given at or after the child’s first birthday, the Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccine.

<h2>No Link Between <span rel="noindex">Vaccine And Autism</span></h2>

The supposed connection between the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine and autism originated from a flawed 1998 study, later retracted for using falsified data. Its findings were never replicated and have been thoroughly refuted by extensive research. “The study was shown to be fraudulent and withdrawn, but the notion it created has persisted,” said Tedros.

Kennedy has a long record of promoting questionable claims, which have become central to his “Make America Healthy Again” campaign, a notable element of President Trump’s broader Make America Great Again coalition. The recent CDC website changes sparked concern and alarm among career scientists and public health experts, including those within the agency, who have spent years combating misinformation.

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The World Health Organization (WHO) has reaffirmed that childhood vaccines do not cause autism spectrum disorders (ASD). This follows a fresh review by the WHO’s Global Advisory Committee on Vaccine Safety (GACVS), which examined 31 major studies published between January 2010 and August 2025. Last month, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) adjusted its website wording, which some argued weakened its earlier, science-backed position that vaccines are not linked to autism. The WHO has now made its stance clear.Years of research consistently show no causal relationship between vaccinations and autism or other developmental conditions. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has long promoted anti-vaccine views, has repeatedly claimed vaccines contribute to autism, despite evidence to the contrary. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus clarified in a Geneva press conference that vaccines do not cause autism.WHO Rejects Claims Of Link Between Vaccines And Autism“Today, WHO is releasing a new analysis by the Global Advisory Committee on Vaccine Safety, which concludes, based on all available evidence, that vaccines are not linked to autism,” said Tedros, as per the official WHO report. The committee reviewed 31 studies conducted across multiple countries over 15 years, looking at vaccines containing thiomersal—a preservative used to prevent bacterial and fungal growth in multi-dose vials—and aluminium adjuvants.“The review found no evidence connecting vaccines, including those with aluminium or thiomersal, to autism,” Tedros added. “This is the fourth review of its kind, following similar evaluations in 2002, 2004, and 2012, all of which reached the same conclusion: vaccines do not cause autism. Like any medical product, vaccines can have side effects, which WHO monitors carefully, but autism is not one of them.”What Is Autism Spectrum Disorder?ASD usually refers to Autism Spectrum Disorder, a developmental condition that affects communication, social skills, and behavior, with a wide range of symptoms. It can also mean Atrial Septal Defect, a congenital heart condition characterized by a hole in the upper chambers of the heart. Context is important: the first is neurological, the second cardiac, according to the CDC.RFK Jr Blames Vaccines For Causing AutismHealth And Me has previously reported that Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has long claimed that vaccines are responsible for autism. He has cited the rising autism diagnoses over recent decades—from about 1 in 150 children in 2000 to roughly 1 in 36 today—as evidence of vaccine harm. However, multiple studies have debunked this, showing that increased awareness, better screening, and broader diagnostic definitions that include milder forms of autism largely explain the rise. Kennedy’s assertions have been widely criticized by health authorities and autism advocacy groups.According to the CDC, about half of parents surveyed who have autistic children believe that vaccines may have contributed to their child’s autism. This statistic comes from a 2006 survey published in the Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics. The CDC explains that these vaccines are typically those administered within the first six months of life—such as Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis (DTaP), Hepatitis B (HepB), Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib), inactivated Poliovirus (IPV), and Pneumococcal conjugate (PCV)—as well as one given at or after the child’s first birthday, the Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccine.No Link Between Vaccine And AutismThe supposed connection between the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine and autism originated from a flawed 1998 study, later retracted for using falsified data. Its findings were never replicated and have been thoroughly refuted by extensive research. “The study was shown to be fraudulent and withdrawn, but the notion it created has persisted,” said Tedros.Kennedy has a long record of promoting questionable claims, which have become central to his “Make America Healthy Again” campaign, a notable element of President Trump’s broader Make America Great Again coalition. The recent CDC website changes sparked concern and alarm among career scientists and public health experts, including those within the agency, who have spent years combating misinformation.