Fact Check: Autism causes vaccines

Fact Check: "Autism causes vaccines"

What We Know

The claim that "autism causes vaccines" is fundamentally flawed and misrepresents the scientific consensus on the relationship between vaccines and autism. Numerous studies have been conducted to investigate this issue, and the overwhelming evidence indicates that vaccines do not cause autism. For instance, a comprehensive review of the literature found that both the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine and thimerosal, a mercury-containing preservative previously used in some vaccines, have no causal link to autism spectrum disorder (ASD) (Vaccines and Autism: A Tale of Shifting Hypotheses, CDC).

The origins of the vaccine-autism myth can be traced back to a 1998 study by Andrew Wakefield, which suggested a link between the MMR vaccine and autism. However, this study was later discredited due to serious methodological flaws, including a lack of control subjects and undisclosed financial conflicts of interest (Vaccines and Autism: A Tale of Shifting Hypotheses). Subsequent research, including large-scale epidemiological studies, has consistently shown no correlation between vaccination and autism diagnoses (Vaccination as a cause of autism—myths and controversies, The Evidence on Vaccines and Autism | Johns Hopkins).

Analysis

The claim that vaccines cause autism lacks scientific support and is contradicted by extensive research. The original hypothesis linking the MMR vaccine to autism was based on a small, flawed study that did not adequately control for confounding variables. Subsequent investigations have utilized larger populations and more rigorous methodologies, consistently finding no evidence to support a causal relationship (Vaccines and Autism: A Tale of Shifting Hypotheses, The myth of vaccination and autism spectrum).

For example, a study involving over 3 million person-years of observation in the UK found that autism diagnoses increased despite stable MMR vaccination rates (Vaccines and Autism: A Tale of Shifting Hypotheses). Similarly, research from California showed no correlation between MMR vaccination rates and autism prevalence during the same period (Vaccines and Autism: A Tale of Shifting Hypotheses).

The credibility of sources supporting the claim that vaccines cause autism is often questionable, as many are based on anecdotal evidence or are published in non-peer-reviewed forums. In contrast, studies conducted by reputable institutions, such as the CDC and Johns Hopkins University, have employed rigorous scientific methods and peer review, leading to a strong consensus against the vaccine-autism link (CDC, The Evidence on Vaccines and Autism | Johns Hopkins).

Conclusion

Verdict: False
The claim that "autism causes vaccines" is not supported by scientific evidence. Extensive research has demonstrated that vaccines do not cause autism, and the original claims linking them have been thoroughly discredited. The persistence of this myth can lead to public health risks, as vaccine hesitancy contributes to outbreaks of preventable diseases.