Fact Check: "Since 2000, there have been over 100 suspected MMR vaccine deaths — FAR more deaths than from measles infection."
What We Know
The claim that there have been over 100 suspected deaths from the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine since 2000 is not supported by credible evidence. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the incidence of measles has significantly decreased due to vaccination efforts, and the number of deaths from measles has also declined dramatically. For instance, from 2000 to 2017, the annual estimated measles deaths decreased by 80%, preventing approximately 21.1 million deaths globally due to vaccination efforts (CDC).
In contrast, the CDC reports that as of June 2025, there have been only three confirmed deaths from measles in the United States in that year (CDC). This indicates that the mortality rate from measles is significantly higher than any reported adverse events related to the MMR vaccine.
Analysis
The assertion that there have been over 100 deaths attributed to the MMR vaccine appears to stem from a misunderstanding or misrepresentation of vaccine safety data. The CDC and other health organizations have consistently found that the MMR vaccine is safe and effective. The vaccine's efficacy is high, with two doses providing a 97% effectiveness against measles (CDC).
Furthermore, studies on vaccine safety, such as those published in the National Institutes of Health, indicate that while adverse events can occur, serious complications, including deaths, are exceedingly rare. The Office for National Statistics in the UK reported no deaths directly attributed to the MMR vaccine in their analysis from 2010 to 2021, reinforcing the vaccine's safety profile.
The claim's reliability is further undermined by the lack of credible sources that substantiate the figure of over 100 deaths from the MMR vaccine. Most vaccine safety studies indicate that the benefits of vaccination far outweigh the risks, and the data consistently show that vaccine-preventable diseases like measles pose a much greater risk of mortality than the vaccines themselves.
Conclusion
Verdict: False. The claim that there have been over 100 suspected MMR vaccine deaths since 2000 is not supported by credible evidence. In fact, the data shows that measles-related deaths are significantly higher than any reported deaths associated with the MMR vaccine. The CDC and other health organizations affirm the safety and efficacy of the MMR vaccine, which has played a crucial role in reducing measles mortality.
Sources
- PDF Measles Data and Statistics - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Measles Cases and Outbreaks
- Progress Toward Measles Elimination — Worldwide, 2000
- Measles vaccination in an increasingly immunized and ...
- Death - Adverse Events Associated with Childhood Vaccines
- Deaths following vaccination: What does the evidence show?
- MMR deaths and MMR vaccination deaths 2010 to 2021
- The Measles Outbreak in West Texas and Beyond