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Updated: Aug 19, 2026
Sagittal Plane Kinematic Gait Analysis in C57BL/6 Mice Subjected to MOG35-55 Induced Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis
Published on: November 4, 2017
No evidence of an association between MMR vaccine and gait disturbance
1Immunisation Division, Public Health Laboratory Service, Health Protection Agency, 61 Colindale Avenue, London NW9 5EQ, UK. liz.miller@hpa.org.uk
Background:
MMR vaccine has been reported to cause gait disturbance, and this possible association has been claimed to support the MMR-causes-autism theory.
Aims:
To determine whether any association between gait disturbance and MMR vaccination exceeds the age related background rate of gait disturbance, using record linkage and self control case series analyses.
Methods:
MMR vaccination records were linked to hospital admission and general practitioner attendance data. An increased rate of gait problems with onset in various intervals in the 60 day period after MMR vaccination was looked for in children aged 12 to <24 months.
Results:
No evidence of an increased rate of hospital admission or general practice consultations for gait disturbance was found in the putative post-vaccination risk periods.
Conclusions:
This study provides no evidence for a causal association between MMR and gait disturbance.
Insights
This study found no evidence that the Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccine causes gait disturbance. The research indicates no increased risk of gait problems following MMR vaccination in young children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric medicine
- Vaccinology
- Neurology
Background:
- The Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccine has been controversially linked to gait disturbance, fueling claims of a causal relationship with autism.
- Previous assertions suggest a potential association between MMR vaccination and the onset of gait disturbances.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if MMR vaccination increases the risk of gait disturbance beyond the typical age-related incidence.
- To analyze potential associations between MMR vaccination and gait disturbance using robust epidemiological methods.
Main Methods:
- Utilized record linkage to connect MMR vaccination data with hospital admission and general practitioner records.
- Employed a self-controlled case series analysis to assess gait disturbance rates within 60 days post-MMR vaccination in children aged 12 to 24 months.
Main Results:
- No statistically significant increase in hospital admissions or general practice consultations for gait disturbance was observed in the 60-day period following MMR vaccination.
- The study found no evidence to support an elevated risk of gait problems after MMR vaccination.
Conclusions:
- This research provides no supporting evidence for a causal link between the MMR vaccine and gait disturbance.
- The findings do not substantiate the claim that MMR vaccination causes gait disturbance.
