Years after a controversial study was proven to be fraudulent, studies show there’s no link between the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine and autism.

In 1998, a medical journal published a controversial study suggesting a connection between autism and a common childhood vaccine.

The statement was later retracted, but the effect from the original publication still lingers to this day. Despite the fact that there’s no evidence that vaccines can cause autism, some people still have questions and are hesitant or even opposed to getting their children vaccinated.

Experts often worry about vaccination rates being lower than they should be. According to the National Council of State Legislatures, vaccination rates vary from state to state, but the national MMR vaccination rate is still lower than the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ goal rate.

Here’s what you need to know.

The idea that autism is linked to childhood vaccines — and more specifically, the MMR (measles, mumps rubella) vaccine — has been debunked numerous times.

Although some people were already skeptical about vaccines, the study published in the British medical journal The Lancet in 1998 fueled the myth that there was a link between children receiving the MMR vaccine and developing autism.

According to a 2021 study, it contributed to a growing vaccine skepticism in the United States and led to “an immediate increase of about 70 MMR injury claims cases per month.”

Several years later, The Lancet retracted the study, stating the findings were incorrect.

Numerous studies were undertaken to investigate the results after the original study was published. In fact, as early as 1999, The Lancet published the results of a larger epidemiological study that found no causal relationship between the MMR vaccine and the onset of autism. Other studies debunking the claims made by the 1998 study soon followed.

A 2019 study in the Annals of Internal Medicine also evaluated more than 650,000 children to find out if the MMR vaccination increased the risk of autism. The authors wrote, “Our study does not support that MMR vaccination increases the risk for autism, triggers autism in susceptible children, or is associated with clustering of autism cases after vaccination.”

Currently, the cause of autism is not well understood, according to the National Institute of Environmental Health Science (NIEHS). A number of factors may play a role in whether or not a child develops autism.

Experts believe that genetics are a likely factor, which may include genetic mutations or genetic variations. This is why risk factors may include having:

  • siblings with autism
  • older parents
  • genetic conditions like Rett syndrome, Fragile X syndrome, and Down syndrome

According to the NIEHS, research is ongoing into the possible interaction of genetic and environmental factors that might contribute to the development of autism. For example, scientists hope to find out whether a pregnant person’s exposure to certain chemicals during pregnancy might cause some sort of genetic mutation that might lead to autism symptoms.

Very low birth weight and complications at birth may also raise the likelihood of autism.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), children should be given a standardized screening for autism spectrum disorder at 18 months and then again at 24 months of age, with ongoing developmental surveillance. Symptoms often begin to develop during this time.

There’s no single diagnostic tool that’s used to diagnose autism or autism spectrum disorder.

However, healthcare professionals usually observe the child’s behavior and consider the parent or caregiver’s descriptions of the child’s development. They look for deficits in social communication and interaction, as well as repetitive or restrictive patterns of behavior.

They can also refer to the standardized criteria in the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, Fifth Edition (DSM-5).

According to the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHHD), there’s also no single standard treatment for autism. In fact, the NICHHD notes that a number of treatments are often used to help children with autism spectrum disorder, including:

The best treatment or combination of treatments is often the one that addresses a child’s specific needs and reduces the symptoms that get in their way of functioning in their daily lives.

Individuals with autism and parents or caregivers of children with autism can turn to a number of organizations for support or information. A few options to consider:

You can also check social media platforms for local support groups organized through MeetUp or local parents’ groups.

If you’re concerned that your child is showing symptoms of autism, consider talking with a doctor or asking for a referral to a specialist, such as a developmental pediatrician or a child psychiatrist.

It’s important not to wait. Evidence suggests that early intervention — as soon as possible after a diagnosis — is key to helping children develop new skills and better adjust.

You can also speak with a doctor about any concerns you have about routine childhood vaccines. They can provide educational information and resources.

Often, the first signs of autism show up in early childhood — which does happen to correspond to the times that children receive routine childhood vaccinations. However, a large body of research has demonstrated that the two are not linked.

Parents who have any questions about their children’s health and safety, including any questions about vaccines, should talk with a healthcare professional, such as a pediatrician.