Vaccines do not cause autism.
Decades of research involving large populations across multiple countries have found no credible evidence that childhood vaccines cause autism.
Autism should not be presented as a vaccine injury, a parental failure, or a warning against vaccination. Autistic people deserve accurate information, respect, opportunity, and support.
Why an employment website is addressing vaccine misinformation
Autism at Work primarily focuses on employment. However, misinformation about autism affects how autistic people are viewed in schools, workplaces, healthcare settings, families, and society.
Autistic people should not be used as a warning.
Presenting autism as damage caused by vaccination can reinforce the idea that an autistic life is an outcome to fear. It also shifts attention away from the real barriers autistic people experience.
It stigmatizes autistic people
When autism is described primarily as an injury or tragedy, autistic people may be treated as damaged rather than as complete human beings with individual strengths, needs, and goals.
It unfairly blames parents
Parents do not cause autism by vaccinating their children. Families should not be blamed for following evidence-based medical guidance.
It distracts from actual needs
Autistic people need accessible education, fair hiring, appropriate healthcare, workplace support, autonomy, and equal opportunities.
The vaccine-autism claim has been repeatedly investigated.
Researchers and public-health organizations have examined different vaccines, ingredients, schedules, populations, and possible biological mechanisms. The evidence does not support vaccines as a cause of autism.
Measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine
Large studies have found no association between the MMR vaccine and autism, including among children considered more likely to receive an autism diagnosis.
Thimerosal
Research has not found that thimerosal in vaccines causes autism. Autism identification continued to increase after thimerosal was removed from nearly all routine childhood vaccines in the United States.
Aluminum-containing vaccines
International evidence reviews have not found a causal relationship between aluminum-containing vaccines and autism.
The childhood vaccine schedule
The total body of evidence does not support the claim that receiving recommended childhood vaccines causes autism.
A discredited publication created decades of confusion.
A small 1998 publication suggested a connection between the MMR vaccine and autism. The publication was later retracted after serious scientific and ethical concerns were identified.
Later studies using much larger populations and stronger research methods did not reproduce its claims.
One CDC page changed, but it did not establish that vaccines cause autism.
In November 2025, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention changed its “Autism and Vaccines” webpage. The page now argues that the possibility of infant vaccines contributing to autism has not been completely ruled out.
The page does not present new evidence demonstrating that vaccines cause autism. Its wording also conflicts with other CDC material stating that scientific studies and reviews show no relationship between vaccines and autism.
In December 2025, the World Health Organization published an updated assessment of research from 2010 through 2025. Its expert committee concluded that the available evidence does not establish a causal link between vaccines and autism.
Autism is not something parents caused.
Autistic people should not be treated as evidence that something went wrong. They are children, adults, students, professionals, family members, neighbors, and members of their communities.
The public conversation should focus on removing barriers and ensuring autistic people can live, learn, work, communicate, and participate with dignity.
Learn about autistic talent at workSources
These sources allow readers to review the evidence and current public-health statements directly.
WHO expert group’s analysis finds no causal link between vaccines and autism
Summary of the Global Advisory Committee on Vaccine Safety’s updated review of research published from 2010 through 2025.
Vaccines, thimerosal, and autism spectrum disorder evidence review
The underlying review examining peer-reviewed research published between 2010 and 2025.
MMR vaccine safety
CDC information stating that carefully conducted studies have found no link between the MMR vaccine and autism.
Thimerosal and vaccines
CDC information explaining that research does not show a connection between thimerosal in vaccines and autism.
Research does not support a vaccine-autism connection
Statements from pediatric experts addressing misinformation about vaccines and autism.
Current CDC “Autism and Vaccines” webpage
Included so readers can review the CDC’s November 2025 language and compare it with the larger body of evidence.