WHO Confirms No Link Between Vaccines and Autism: Analysis Refutes Widespread Misinformation

The World Health Organization has published a new analysis confirming that there is no causal relationship between vaccines and autism, directly contradicting theories circulating in the United States.

This statement comes after the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) modified language on its website last month, undermining its previous scientifically-based position that immunizations do not cause autism spectrum disorders.

Extensive research conducted over many years has consistently demonstrated no causal connection between vaccinations and autism or other neurodevelopmental conditions.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who currently serves as the nation's health chief, has frequently expressed anti-vaccine sentiments and made inaccurate claims suggesting a connection between vaccines and autism.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated categorically during a Geneva press conference that autism is not a vaccine side-effect.

"Today, WHO is publishing a new analysis by the Global Advisory Committee on Vaccine Safety that has found, based on available evidence, no causal link between vaccines and autism," announced the UN health agency leader.

The committee examined 31 studies conducted across multiple countries over a 15-year period relating to vaccines containing thiomersal—a preservative that prevents bacterial and fungal contamination in multidose vials—and aluminum adjuvants.

"The committee concluded that the evidence shows no link between vaccines and autism, including vaccines containing aluminium or thiomersal," Tedros emphasized.

"This is the fourth such review of the evidence, following similar reviews in 2002, 2004 and 2012. All reached the same conclusion: vaccines do not cause autism."

"Like all medical products, vaccines can cause side effects, which WHO monitors. But autism is not a side effect of vaccines."

The misconception about a connection between the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine and autism originated from a discredited 1998 study that was later retracted for containing falsified data. Its findings have never been replicated and have been thoroughly refuted by extensive subsequent research.

"The study was later shown to be fraudulent and retracted, but the damage had been done, and the idea has never gone away," Tedros noted.

Kennedy has consistently promoted questionable claims that have become central beliefs among followers of his "Make America Healthy Again" movement, which forms a significant part of President Donald Trump's Make America Great Again coalition.

The CDC website modifications have provoked anger and concern among career scientists and public health officials, including within the agency itself, who have dedicated years to combating misinformation.

Tedros highlighted that over the past 25 years, mortality in children under five has decreased by more than half, from 11 million deaths annually to 4.8 million, with vaccination playing a crucial role in this reduction.

"Vaccines are among the most powerful, transformative inventions in the history of humankind," he declared.

"Vaccines save lives from about 30 different diseases, including measles, cervical cancer, malaria and more."