Rumor – Childhood vaccines are linked to the increase in autism cases.
Analysis
This is not the first time vaccines have been the target of pseudoscientific narratives attempting to discredit their safety and effectiveness. One of the most recurring claims is that vaccines cause autism. Although there is no solid scientific basis for this, posts with this content continue to spread on social media.
This time, posts are reviving alleged studies from the book “400 Critical Vaccine Studies” and statements by Robert Kennedy Jr., a figure known for anti-vaccine rhetoric. The content claims that the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) admitted in 1999 a link between mercury-containing vaccines and autism. Versions of the rumor circulate in various formats. See below:
Version 1: Autism and Vaccines. Some scientific articles from the book: ‘400 Critical Vaccine Studies’. MMR, flu, measles, Rho immunoglobulin, and hepatitis B… Traditional vaccines and their links to rising autism cases.
Version 2: Robert Kennedy Jr. claims that in 1999 the CDC discovered that mercury-containing vaccines caused autism, with a relative risk of 11.35 (greater than smoking). According to him, health authorities and pharmaceutical companies held a secret meeting where they admitted the link. Kennedy says he has transcripts proving that regulators concealed this information from the public.
Fact-check
Messages like these continue to generate confusion and fuel anti-vaccine movements. In this case, let’s answer three questions: 1) Do childhood vaccines cause autism? 2) Do the “400 studies” and the cited claims prove that vaccines cause autism? 3) What is the actual cause of the condition?
Do childhood vaccines cause autism?
No, vaccines do not cause autism. This statement is consistently refuted by the international scientific community and health authorities. The origin of the theory came from a fraudulent 1998 study, which was later retracted and debunked by the scientific journal that published it.
Since then, numerous high-quality studies have investigated any possible link — and no evidence of causality has been found. The Brazilian Ministry of Health, the CDC, and Johns Hopkins University are unanimous: there is no link between vaccines and autism.
Do the “400 studies” and the quoted claim prove that vaccines cause autism?
The cited book does exist, but it compiles decontextualized studies, many with serious methodological flaws or already refuted by science. The collection was not published in any respected scientific journal and has an ideological, not academic, nature.
Moreover, Robert Kennedy Jr.’s claim that the CDC acknowledged a link in 1999 is unfounded. There is no official record or concrete evidence of such a secret meeting or CDC admission. This narrative recurs in denialist circles, but lacks any support in real data. A systematic review published in Frontiers in Public Health reinforces that vaccines do not increase the risk of autism.
What is the actual cause of the condition?
Autism is a complex neurodevelopmental condition still under study, but its origin involves multiple genetic and, to a lesser extent, environmental factors. There is no evidence that vaccines are a causal factor.
According to the UK’s National Health Service (NHS), most causes are linked to genetic inheritance, and the CDC also states that there is no data indicating vaccines as a trigger for the condition.
Conclusion
Claims that childhood vaccines cause autism are false and have been repeatedly debunked by serious studies and health institutions. The cited book is biased and Kennedy Jr.’s claims lack concrete proof. Autism has multifactorial causes, mostly genetic, with no proven connection to immunizations.
Fake news ❌
Ps: This article is a suggestion from Boatos.org readers. If you would like to suggest a topic to Boatos.org, contact us via email at [email protected] or WhatsApp (link here: https://wa.me/556192755610).