Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 18, 2026
Strategies for Assessing Autistic-Like Behaviors in Mice
Published on: September 20, 2024
Lack of association between measles-mumps-rubella vaccination and autism in children: a case-control study
Dorota Mrozek-Budzyn1, Agnieszka Kiełtyka, Renata Majewska
1Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Jagiellonian University, Collegium Medicum, Krakow, Poland. dorotamrozek@tlen.pl
Objective:
The first objective of the study was to determine whether there is a relationship between the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccination and autism in children. The second objective was to examine whether the risk of autism differs between use of MMR and the single measles vaccine.
Design:
Case-control study.
Study Population:
The 96 cases with childhood or atypical autism, aged 2 to 15, were included into the study group. Controls consisted of 192 children individually matched to cases by year of birth, sex, and general practitioners.
Methods:
Data on autism diagnosis and vaccination history were from physicians. Data on the other probable autism risk factors were collected from mothers. Logistic conditional regression was used to assess the risk of autism resulting from vaccination. Assessment was made for children vaccinated (1) Before diagnosis of autism, and (2) Before first symptoms of autism onset. Odds ratios were adjusted to mother's age, medication during pregnancy, gestation time, perinatal injury and Apgar score.
Results:
For children vaccinated before diagnosis, autism risk was lower in children vaccinated with MMR than in the nonvaccinated (OR: 0.17, 95% CI: 0.06-0.52) as well as to vaccinated with single measles vaccine (OR: 0.44, 95% CI: 0.22-0.91). The risk for vaccinated versus nonvaccinated (independent of vaccine type) was 0.28 (95% CI: 0.10-0.76). The risk connected with being vaccinated before onset of first symptoms was significantly lower only for MMR versus single vaccine (OR: 0.47, 95% CI: 0.22-0.99).
Conclusions:
The study provides evidence against the association of autism with either MMR or a single measles vaccine.
Insights
This study found no link between measles vaccines and autism. Both measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) and single measles vaccines were associated with a lower risk of autism in children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric medicine
- Immunology
- Neurodevelopmental disorders
Background:
- Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental condition.
- Vaccination practices, including the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, have been scrutinized for potential links to ASD.
- Existing research has produced conflicting results regarding vaccine-autism association.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential relationship between measles-containing vaccines and autism in children.
- To compare the risk of autism associated with the MMR vaccine versus a single measles vaccine.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study design was employed.
- 96 children diagnosed with autism (ages 2-15) were compared with 192 matched controls.
- Logistic regression analysis assessed vaccination's impact on autism risk, adjusting for confounding factors.
Main Results:
- Vaccination before autism diagnosis showed a reduced risk for both MMR (OR: 0.17) and single measles vaccines (OR: 0.44) compared to unvaccinated children.
- Overall vaccination (any type) was linked to lower autism risk (OR: 0.28).
- Vaccination before symptom onset showed a significantly lower risk only for MMR compared to single measles vaccine (OR: 0.47).
Conclusions:
- The study found no evidence supporting an association between MMR vaccination and autism.
- No increased risk of autism was observed with single measles vaccination either.
- Findings suggest that measles-containing vaccines are not linked to the development of autism.
Related Concept Videos
01:19Autism Spectrum Disorder
These core symptoms manifest differently among individuals, ranging from mild to severe. The disorder's complexity extends beyond its clinical presentation, encompassing a diverse range of biological, cognitive, and sociocultural influences.
01:51Vaccinations
01:29Respiratory Syncytial Virus Disease