Updated · University of Minnesota Twin Cities · Aug 3
UW Study of 2.5 Million Children Finds No Autism Link to MMR Before Age 2
Updated
Updated · University of Minnesota Twin Cities · Aug 3
UW Study of 2.5 Million Children Finds No Autism Link to MMR Before Age 2
2 articles · Updated · University of Minnesota Twin Cities · Aug 3
Summary
More than 2.5 million U.S. children in a national retrospective cohort showed no higher autism diagnosis rate after a first MMR dose given between 11.5 and 24 months.
University of Washington researchers used the Cosmos electronic health record database, tracking children with linked parent data from 2015 through 2024 until age 8 or their last recorded visit.
The findings address persistent claims that MMR timing might affect autism risk and, the authors said, reinforce existing evidence that the vaccine is safe.
2,371 U.S. measles cases have been reported this year—the most since 1991—and 93% were in unvaccinated people, underscoring the public-health stakes of vaccine uptake.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., speaking to CNN, said he has never questioned MMR efficacy and urged parents to vaccinate, saying the shot prevents measles in about 97% of cases.