Last updated November 6, 2026
One of the most important things parents and caregivers can do to protect their child’s health is to get them vaccinated.
Despite overwhelming scientific evidence that there is no link between vaccines and autism, false and misleading narratives are persistent. A survey by the University of Pennsylvania’s Annenberg Public Policy Center found that 1 in 4 adults believe the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine causes autism.
These false claims, among other beliefs about vaccine safety and effectiveness, contribute to vaccine hesitancy and pose a significant public health challenge.
Last Updated November 6, 2026
Table of Contents
- Topline Messages
- Strategies for Communicating with Parents and Caregivers
- Communication Considerations
- Additional Messaging Resources for Public Health Professionals
- Resources About Vaccination for Your Community
Topline Messages
Studies Confirm that Vaccines Do NOT Cause Autism
- Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that is caused by differences in the brain and may impact communication and relationships. There is no single known cause of autism. However, scientists believe genetics, as well as biological and environmental factors, are contributors.
- Dozens of studies, summarized in this fact sheet by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), highlight the ongoing, rigorous review of vaccine safety and effectiveness data, which have found no association between vaccines and autism.
Why People Believe the MMR and Other Vaccines Cause Autism
- The misconception that vaccines cause autism originated from a 1998 study that was later retracted because it contained falsified data and conclusions not based on scientific evidence. Because of this study, false narratives have persisted and have grown in the years following the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Another reason people believe vaccines cause autism is that the age when children receive the MMR vaccine is also the age when some children begin showing signs of autism, causing people to create a false association between the two events.
- While there is no scientifically proven link between vaccines and autism, false narratives have led to:
- An overall decrease in childhood vaccination in the U.S.
- A resurgence of measles, which caused an ongoing outbreak across the U.S. that started in 2025 and has led to a 30-year high in cases.
Pediatric Vaccine Safety and Effectiveness
- Following the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) schedule of recommended vaccines is the most effective way to protect infants, children, and teens against 18 preventable, potentially serious diseases.
- Vaccines undergo years of careful research and testing in the U.S. before they’re available to the public. Once available, many health experts and organizations continuously monitor vaccines to ensure their ongoing safety and effectiveness.
- Specifically for the MMR vaccine:
- Since the early 1950s, researchers and medical experts have worked to ensure that the measles vaccines are safe for people ages 12 months and older.
- Today, MMR vaccines are routine for every child.
- Serious complications from the MMR vaccine are rare.
- The MMR vaccine is a combination vaccine, which means it protects against several diseases in a single dose to reduce the number of injections a person receives and the number of visits to a healthcare professional. There are no separate vaccines to protect against measles, rubella, or mumps individually.
- Specifically for the MMR vaccine:
Decades of clinical trial data and monitoring tens of millions of vaccinated people have continued to prove the vaccine is safe and effective.
Strategies for Communicating with Parents and Caregivers
- Empathy and Listening: Begin conversations by listening to understand, not only to respond. Empathetic communications show an awareness and consideration of people’s emotions, beliefs, and experiences.
- Be Relatable: Explain the complex, scientific language surrounding vaccine safety and effectiveness using relatable and easy-to-understand concepts.
- For example, compare vaccines to over-the-counter vitamins or to the impacts of healthy food choices.
- Address But Don’t Repeat False Information: Correct false narratives without repeating them. Provide evidence-based guidance and explain the origins of vaccine myths while highlighting their benefits and safety.
- Offer Additional Resources: Based on your community’s unique beliefs, concerns, and varying levels of understanding, share credible resources in varying formats (long-form writing, infographics, video explainers, etc.) for parents and caregivers seeking more information.
Communication Considerations
Here are some questions to consider when debunking misinformation about vaccines and autism.
Who is your audience?
The more specific you can get about your audience, the more effective you can be in providing useful, relevant information.
Consider:
- Is there concern for all vaccines, or are specific vaccines (e.g., MMR) causing concern?
- What do families need to hear vs. what organizations (e.g., schools, medical offices) need to hear?
What do you want your audience to do with this information?
Examples:
- I want parents and caregivers to understand pediatric vaccines better.
- I want community members to share this message with friends and family.
- I want trusted messengers (e.g., teachers, pediatricians, community leaders) to help amplify this information.
What is your local context?
Consider:
- Local or state policies regarding pediatric vaccine guidance and access that will directly impact your community.
- Your county’s vaccination rates, particularly among young children.
- Your community’s rates of specific illnesses.
Additional Messaging Resources About Vaccination Safety
- Recommendations to Encourage Routine Childhood Vaccinations (PHCC)
- Communicating with Families and Promoting Vaccine Confidence (American Academy of Pediatrics)
- The Truth About Autism and Vaccines Guide (Vaccinate Your Family)
Resources About Vaccination for Your Community
- Vaccines Do Not Cause Autism (PHCC)
Sources
American Academy of Pediatrics. (n.d.-a). Fact checked: The MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine is safe and effective [Fact check]. https://www.aap.org/en/news-room/fact-checked/fact-checked-the-measles-vaccine-is-safe-and-effective/
American Academy of Pediatrics. (n.d.-b). Fact checked: Vaccines: Safe and effective, no link to autism [Fact check]. https://www.aap.org/en/news-room/fact-checked/fact-checked-vaccines-safe-and-effect-no-link-to-autism/
American Academy of Pediatrics. (n.d.-c). Immunizations. HealthyChildren.org. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/immunizations/Pages/default.aspx
Annenberg Public Policy Center of the University of Pennsylvania. (n.d.). False belief in MMR vaccine-autism link endures as measles threat persists [News release]. EurekAlert! https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1046924
Autism Society. (n.d.). The autism experience. https://autismsociety.org/the-autism-experience/
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. (n.d.). Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR): The diseases & vaccines. https://www.chop.edu/vaccine-education-center/vaccine-details/measles-mumps-and-rubella-vaccines
College of Physicians of Philadelphia. (n.d.). Measles timeline. History of Vaccines. https://historyofvaccines.org/history/measles/timeline
Mayo Clinic Staff. (n.d.). Autism spectrum disorder: Symptoms and causes. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/autism-spectrum-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20352928
World Health Organization. (n.d.). How to talk about vaccines. https://www.who.int/news-room/feature-stories/detail/how-to-talk-about-vaccines
