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FAQ on Autism & Vaccines

Frequently asked questions and answers about autism and vaccines. Developed by Easterseals Southern California, including Chief Clinical Officer Paula Pompa-Craven and the Autism Services and MarComm teams.

Show me the answer to:

What is autism?

What are vaccines?

Is there a link between vaccines and autism?

Why do some people believe that vaccines cause autism?

What have studies shown about vaccines and autism?

What benefits come from vaccines?

What are the risks of not vaccinating children?

How do vaccines work to protect communities?

Are vaccines safe?

If vaccines are safe, why is there a Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS)?

What should I do if I have concerns about vaccinating my child?

Where can I find reliable information about vaccines and autism?

Is ongoing research being conducted on autism and its causes?

How can I support individuals with autism?

What is Autism?

Autism, or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), is a developmental disorder that affects communication, behavior, and social interaction (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). Symptoms can vary widely but often include challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, and difficulties in speech and nonverbal communication. The exact cause of autism is unknown, but it is believed to be a combination of genetic (Huguet & Bourgeron, 2013) and environmental factors (Modabbernia et al., 2017).

Sources:

  1. American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.).
  2. Huguet, G., Ey, E., & Bourgeron, T. (2013). The genetic landscapes of autism spectrum disorders. Annual review of genomics and human genetics, 14(1), 191-213.
  3. Modabbernia, A., Velthorst, E., & Reichenberg, A. (2017). Environmental risk factors for autism: an evidence-based review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Molecular autism, 8, 1-16. 

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What are vaccines?

Vaccines are biomedical preparations that provide immunity against infectious diseases. They typically contain weakened or inactivated parts of a particular organism (antigen) that triggers an immune response within the body (Vetter et al., 2018). The immune response helps fight future encounters with the disease. There are currently over 30 vaccines available, and each year, vaccines are estimated to save 2-3 million lives (Delany et al., 2014).

Sources:

  1. Delany, I., Rappuoli, R., & De Gregorio, E. (2014). Vaccines for the 21st century. EMBO molecular medicine, 6(6), 708-720.
  2. Vetter, V., Denizer, G., Friedland, L. R., Krishnan, J., & Shapiro, M. (2018). Understanding modern-day vaccines: what you need to know. Annals of medicine, 50(2), 110-120. 

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No, there is no scientific evidence to support a link between vaccines and autism (Hviid, et al., 2019; Taylor et al., 2014). Numerous studies have been conducted to investigate this claim, and all have found no connection between vaccination and the development of autism.

Sources:

  1. Hviid, A., Hansen, J. V., Frisch, M., & Melbye, M. (2019). Measles, mumps, rubella vaccination and autism: a nationwide cohort study. Annals of internal medicine, 170(8), 513-520. https://doi.org/10.7326/M18-210
  2. Taylor, L. E., Swerdfeger, A. L., & Eslick, G. D. (2014). Vaccines are not associated with autism: an evidence-based meta-analysis of case-control and cohort studies. Vaccine, 32(29), 3623-3629.

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Why do some people believe that vaccines cause autism?

The misconception that vaccines cause autism originated from a now-discredited study published in 1998 by Andrew Wakefield (Wakefield et al., 1998). The study falsely claimed a link between the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine and autism. Wakefield's research was found to be fraudulent, and the paper was retracted by the journal that published it. Subsequent studies have thoroughly debunked this claim (e.g., Hviid, et al., 2019; Taylor et al., 2014).

Sources:

  1. Hviid, A., Hansen, J. V., Frisch, M., & Melbye, M. (2019). Measles, mumps, rubella vaccination and autism: a nationwide cohort study. Annals of internal medicine, 170(8), 513-520.
  2. Taylor, L. E., Swerdfeger, A. L., & Eslick, G. D. (2014). Vaccines are not associated with autism: an evidence-based meta-analysis of case-control and cohort studies. Vaccine, 32(29), 3623-3629.
  3. Wakefield, A. J., Murch, S. H., Anthony, A., Linnell, J., Casson, D. M., Malik, M., ... & Walker-Smith, J. A. (1998). RETRACTED: Ileal-lymphoid-nodular hyperplasia, non-specific colitis, and pervasive developmental disorder in children. The lancet, 351(9103), 637-641.

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What have studies shown about vaccines and autism?

Multiple large-scale studies have been conducted to explore any potential link between vaccines and autism. These studies involve thousands of children and consistently show that there is no association between vaccination and the development of autism. Some key studies include:

  • A 2002 study published in the "New England Journal of Medicine" examined over 500,000 children and found no link between the MMR vaccine and autism (Madsen et al., 2002).
  • A 2014 meta-analysis of 10 studies involving over 1.2 million children concluded that vaccines do not increase the risk of autism (Taylor et al., 2014).
  • A 2019 study in "Annals of Internal Medicine" followed over 650,000 children and confirmed that the MMR vaccine does not increase the risk of autism (Hviid et al., 2019).

Sources: 

  1. Hviid, A., Hansen, J. V., Frisch, M., & Melbye, M. (2019). Measles, mumps, rubella vaccination and autism: a nationwide cohort study. Annals of internal medicine, 170(8), 513-520.
  2. Madsen, K. M., Hviid, A., Vestergaard, M., Schendel, D., Wohlfahrt, J., Thorsen, P., ... & Melbye, M. (2002). A population-based study of measles, mumps, and rubella vaccination and autism. New England Journal of Medicine, 347(19), 1477-1482.
  3. Taylor, L. E., Swerdfeger, A. L., & Eslick, G. D. (2014). Vaccines are not associated with autism: an evidence-based meta-analysis of case-control and cohort studies. Vaccine, 32(29), 3623-3629.

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What benefits have come from vaccines?

Worldwide vaccine efforts have led to decreases or the near elimination of many diseases with high mortality rates (World Health Organization, 2019). For example, deaths from measles have decreased from 536,000 in 2000 to 142,000 in 2018. Polio, a virus that affects the nervous system and often results in total paralysis, has decreased from 350,000 cases annually in 1988 to 125 by 2025 (World Health Organization, 2019).

Sources: 

  1. World Health Organization. (2019, December 5). Immunization. Retrieved April 3, 2025.

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What are the risks of not vaccinating children?

Children are at increased risk of death from diseases due to their developing immune systems (Center for Disease Control, 2024). Public health efforts to vaccinate the population have decreased childhood diseases (Roush et al., 2007). Vaccines are more effective when communities collectively become vaccinated; when rates of vaccination reach high levels, the vaccinated disease decreases or disappears (Feikin et al., 2000); the reverse is also true where decreases in vaccinations can result in the resurgence of diseases at low or near zero levels (UNICEF, 2018). Unvaccinated children are still susceptible to diseases even if most of the community is vaccinated; unvaccinated children have an increased risk of contracting the unvaccinated disease (Feikin et al., 2000). Community-wide decreases in unvaccinated children can spread the disease, resulting in increased pressure on hospitals, communities, and families (Dayan et al., 2005).

  • An increase in suspected cases and deaths from diphtheria: A bacterial infection occurred after a humanitarian crisis in Bangladesh resulted in children being unvaccinated for diphtheria (UNICEF, 2018). Subsequent vaccine efforts decreased the spread of the infection.
  • Dayan et al. (2005) calculated the total cost of containing an outbreak of measles in Iowa after one individual in a susceptible contracted measles. It cost the Iowa public health system $140,000 to prevent the spread of the disease to those vulnerable in the community.
  • Feikin et al. (2000) conducted a population-based study from 1987 to 1998. They found that unvaccinated children were 22.2 times more likely to get measles and 5.9 times more likely to get pertussis than unvaccinated children. Communities with more unvaccinated children were more likely to have reported cases.
  • Rousch et al. (2007) compared cases and death rates for ten diseases before and after vaccine implementation in the United States. Prior to vaccine implementation, annually, there were around 1,000,000 reported cases and 10,000 deaths per year caused by the ten diseases. After vaccine implementation, there were 22,000 cases and 31 deaths.

Sources: 

  1. Dayan, G. H., Ortega-Sánchez, I. R., LeBaron, C. W., Quinlisk, M. P., & Iowa Measles Response Team. (2005). The cost of containing one case of measles: the economic impact on the public health infrastructure—Iowa, 2004. Pediatrics, 116(1), e1-e4.
  2. Feikin, D. R., Lezotte, D. C., Hamman, R. F., Salmon, D. A., Chen, R. T., & Hoffman, R. E. (2000). Individual and Community Risks of Measles and Pertussis Associated With Personal Exemptions to Immunization. JAMA : The Journal of the American Medical Association, 284(24), 3145–3150.
  3. Roush, S. W., Murphy, T. V., & Vaccine-Preventable Disease Table Working Group (2007). Historical Comparisons of Morbidity and Mortality for Vaccine-Preventable Diseases in the United States. JAMA : The Journal of the American Medical Association, 298(18), 2155–2163.
  4. United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund. (2018, February 11). Bangladesh Humanitarian Situation report No.22 (Rohingya influx).
  5. U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024, September 26). Respiratory Viruses and Young Children. Retrieved April 3, 2025.

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How do vaccines work to protect communities?

Vaccines work by creating herd immunity, which occurs when a high percentage of the population is immunized against a contagious disease. This reduces the spread of the disease and provides protection to those who cannot be vaccinated, such as newborns and individuals with certain medical conditions. Herd immunity is crucial in preventing outbreaks and protecting public health.

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Are vaccines safe?

Yes, vaccines are safe (Gidengil et al., 2021). They undergo rigorous testing in clinical trials to ensure their safety and efficacy before being approved for public use. Once approved, vaccines are continuously monitored for any adverse effects. The benefits of vaccination far outweigh the potential risks, which are typically mild and may include soreness at the injection site or a low-grade fever.

Sources: 

  1. Gidengil, C., Goetz, M. B., Newberry, S., Maglione, M., Hall, O., Larkin, J., ... & Hempel, S. (2021). Safety of vaccines used for routine immunization in the United States: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis. Vaccine, 39(28), 3696-3716.

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If vaccines are safe, why is there a Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS)?

The VAERS is designed to detect potential safety issues with U.S.-licensed vaccines. It is not designed to determine if a vaccine caused a health problem. VAERS reports alone cannot be used to determine if a vaccine caused or contributed to an adverse event or illness (HHS, n.d.).

Sources: 

  1. HHS: VAERS 

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What should I do if I have concerns about vaccinating my child?

If you are concerned about vaccinating your child, speak with your healthcare provider. They can provide you with accurate information, address any questions or worries you may have, and help inform your decision (Gust et al., 2008). It is important to base your decisions on credible scientific evidence and the guidance of medical professionals.

Sources: 

  1. Gust, D. A., Darling, N., Kennedy, A., & Schwartz, B. (2008). Parents with doubts about vaccines: which vaccines and reasons why. Pediatrics, 122(4), 718-725. 

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Where can I find reliable information about vaccines and autism?

Reliable information about vaccines and autism can be found from reputable sources such as:

These sources provide evidence-based information and are dedicated to public health and safety.

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Is ongoing research being conducted on autism and its causes?

Yes, research is ongoing to better understand autism and its causes. Scientists are exploring genetic, environmental, and neurological factors that may contribute to the development of autism (LaSalle, 2023; Pagani et al., 2021). This research aims to improve diagnosis, treatment, and support for individuals with autism and their families.

Sources: 

  1. LaSalle, J. M. (2023). Epigenomic signatures reveal mechanistic clues and predictive markers for autism spectrum disorder. Molecular psychiatry, 28(5), 1890-1901.
  2. Pagani, M., Barsotti, N., Bertero, A., Trakoshis, S., Ulysse, L., Locarno, A., ... & Gozzi, A. (2021). mTOR-related synaptic pathology causes autism spectrum disorder-associated functional hyperconnectivity. Nature communications, 12(1), 6084. 

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How can I support Autistic people?

Supporting autistic people and their families involves promoting acceptance, understanding, and inclusion, which can be achieved by:

  • Educating yourself and others about autism
  • Advocating for policies that support the rights and needs of Autistic people (Bowen, 2014)
  • Providing support and resources to families and caregivers (Lee et al., 2023)
  • Encouraging inclusive practices in schools, workplaces, and communities (Iovannoe et al., 2003)

By fostering a supportive environment, we can help Autistic people thrive and reach their full potential.

Sources: 

  1. Bowen, S. E. (2014). Autism spectrum disorders (ASD): State of the states of services and supports for people with ASD. Washington, DC: L & M Policy Research LLC.
  2. Iovannone, R., Dunlap, G., Huber, H., & Kincaid, D. (2003). Effective educational practices for students with autism spectrum disorders. Focus on autism and other developmental disabilities, 18(3), 150-165.
  3. Lee, J. D., Terol, A. K., Yoon, C. D., & Meadan, H. (2024). Parent-to-parent support among parents of children with autism: A review of the literature. Autism, 28(2), 263-275. 

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