Studies Confirming No Link Between Vaccines and Autism

This page contains a list of major peer-reviewed studies, cohort analyses, and systematic reviews that conclude or show no evidence of a causal link between vaccines (MMR, thimerosal-containing vaccines, or cumulative antigen exposure) and autism spectrum disorders.

This is by no means a comprehensive list. However, the citations below represent the premier research that secure the well-established conclusion that no causal link exists between vaccines and autism spectrum disorder.

The studies cited here are more than adequate proof that completely disprove claims made by various “anti-vaccine” groups and notable figures, including Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Major Scientific Studies/Research Confirming No Link Between Vaccines & Autism

A population-based study of measles, mumps, and rubella vaccination and autism — Madsen et al., NEJM, 2002.
Large Danish cohort study found no link between MMR vaccination and autism.
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Measles, Mumps, Rubella Vaccination and Autism — A Nationwide Cohort Study — Hviid et al., Annals of Internal Medicine, 2019.
Nationwide Danish cohort (~657,000 children) showed no increased autism risk following MMR.
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Autism occurrence by MMR vaccine status among US children… — Jain et al., JAMA, 2015.
No association between MMR vaccination and autism, even in high-risk children.
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Vaccines are not associated with autism: Meta-analysis — Taylor et al., Vaccine, 2014.
Meta-analysis of cohort and case-control studies showed no relationship between vaccines and autism.
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Age at first MMR vaccination in children with autism — DeStefano et al., Pediatrics, 2004.
Found no evidence that earlier MMR vaccination increases autism risk.
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Thimerosal-Containing Vaccines and Autistic Spectrum Disorder — S. K. Parker et al., Pediatrics (review), 2004.
Review concluding studies do not demonstrate a link between thimerosal-containing vaccines and ASD; pharmacokinetics of ethylmercury make such an association less likely.
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Association between thimerosal-containing vaccine and autism — Hviid et al., JAMA, 2003.
Did not support causal link between thimerosal and autism.
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Thimerosal exposure in infants and developmental disorders — Heron & Golding, Pediatrics, 2004.
Prospective cohort showing no convincing evidence of harm from thimerosal exposure.
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Increasing exposure to vaccine antigens is not associated with autism — DeStefano et al., Journal of Pediatrics, 2013.
Examined cumulative antigen exposure; no association with autism risk.
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Association Between Estimated Cumulative Vaccine Antigen Exposure and Risk of Autism — Glanz et al., JAMA, 2018.
No increased autism risk with higher cumulative antigen exposure.
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Thimerosal exposure in infants and developmental disorders: a retrospective cohort study in the United Kingdom — Nick Andrews et al., Pediatrics, 2004.
UK General Practice Research Database study (large retrospective cohort): did not support a causal association between thimerosal exposure and developmental disorders. View study

Pervasive developmental disorders in Montreal, Quebec, Canada: prevalence and links to thimerosal exposure — Eric Fombonne, Pediatrics, 2006.
Canadian prevalence analysis: autism rates continued to rise after thimerosal removal — no evidence thimerosal caused the increase.
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Immunization Safety Review: Vaccines and Autism — Institute of Medicine, 2004.
Concluded evidence favors rejection of a causal relationship between vaccines and autism.
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Major Independent Expert Reviews and Consensus Statements

Major independent public health and specialty medicine bodies (e.g., American Academy of Pediatrics, Immunization advocacy groups, Autism Science Foundation) summarize the same consensus: no causal link can be found in the evidence base. Various committees reviewed the epidemiologic literature and concluded the body of evidence favors rejection of any claim of a causal relationship between (a) MMR and autism and (b) thimerosal-containing vaccines and autism.

Institute of Medicine (IOM, now National Academy of Medicine) — Immunization Safety Review: Vaccines and Autism (2004)
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Immunization Safety Review: Vaccines and Autism

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Vaccines and Autism: A Tale of Shifting Hypotheses
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MMR Vaccine and Thimerosal-Containing Vaccines Are Not Associated With Autism, IOM Report Says
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The Autism Science Foundation, a recognized leader in autism science and research, has compiled the following page that contains links to these and many other studies, research, and information documenting the fact that there is no causal link between vaccines and autism spectrum disorders.

Autism and Vaccines: Read The Science

Immunize.org is the website for the professional advocacy organization supporting healthcare professionals and patients to remove misinformation about vaccines and break down barriers to vaccine access for anyone. They have produced a great deal of accurate information as well as a flyer in PDF form regarding this issue:

MMR Vaccine Does Not Cause Autism – Examine the evidence

TheAmerican Academy of Pediatrics is just one of all of the specialty medicine organizations that have confirmed the scientific consensus that no causal link exists between vaccines and autism spectrum disorder.

Thimerosal-Containing Vaccines and Autistic Spectrum Disorder: A Critical Review of Published Original Data

Note: The 1998 Wakefield study that claimed there was a link between MMR vaccines and autism (Andrew Wakefield et al., Lancet, 1998), was found to be completely fradulent and was fully retracted. Wakefield lost his medical license as a result of proof that he deliberately committed fraud in connection with his paper. Subsequent larger, better-designed studies have repeatedly failed to replicate any link. Reviews summarizing the larger literature consistently reject a causal connection. As such, the Wakefield paper is excluded here, as it does not meet even minimal scientific integrity standards.