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MMR vaccine and autism: an update of the scientific evidence

Frank DeStefano1, William W Thompson

  • 1National Immunization Program, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road, Mailstop E61, Atlanta, Georgia 30333, USA. fdestefano@cdc.gov

Expert Review of Vaccines
|February 6, 2004
PubMed

Insights

The measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine does not cause autism. Extensive research, including reviews by the Institute of Medicine, has consistently found no link between the MMR vaccine and autistic spectrum disorder.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric medicine
  • Immunology
  • Neurodevelopmental disorders

Background:

  • A 1998 hypothesis proposed a link between the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine and autism, suggesting persistent measles virus infection in the gut.
  • Early studies and subsequent reviews, including a significant 2001 report by the Institute of Medicine, did not support this hypothesis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the scientific evidence regarding a potential causal relationship between the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine and autistic spectrum disorder (ASD).
  • To assess whether the MMR vaccine is associated with specific developmental or gastrointestinal disorders in children.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic review and synthesis of epidemiological studies published from 1998 onwards.
  • Analysis of data from large-scale population studies investigating vaccine-autism associations.
  • Examination of evidence for unique syndromes potentially linked to the MMR vaccine.

Main Results:

  • Multiple studies published after the 2001 Institute of Medicine report have consistently failed to demonstrate an increased risk of autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) associated with the MMR vaccine.
  • No evidence supports an association between the MMR vaccine and a distinct syndrome characterized by developmental regression and gastrointestinal issues.
  • The cumulative body of evidence strongly refutes any causal link between the MMR vaccine and autism or its subtypes.

Conclusions:

  • The scientific consensus is that the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine does not cause autism or any specific subtypes of autistic spectrum disorder.
  • The hypothesis linking MMR vaccination to autism has been thoroughly investigated and is not supported by robust scientific evidence.
  • Public health recommendations and clinical practice should be based on the overwhelming evidence that the MMR vaccine is safe and does not cause autism.

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