A comprehensive new global review by the World Health Organization (WHO) has once again confirmed that vaccines do not cause autism.
The findings reinforce decades of scientific evidence and address one of the world’s most persistent health myths.
The conclusion was released in a statement on Friday following a meeting of the Global Advisory Committee on Vaccine Safety (GACVS). This body of international experts, established in 1999 to provide independent scientific advice, met on November 27, 2025, to conduct the analysis.
According to the committee, the new review “found that, based on available evidence, no causal link exists between vaccines and autism spectrum disorders (ASD).”
Reviewing the Evidence
The committee examined a massive body of evidence to reach its conclusion. Experts reviewed data from 31 primary research studies published across multiple countries between January 2010 and August 2025.
The review specifically targeted two common areas of concern:
- Thiomersal: The experts examined the relationship between vaccines containing this preservative and ASD.
- General Safety: Broader concerns regarding whether any childhood vaccines are associated with the disorder were also investigated.
The WHO stated that the data “strongly supports the positive safety profile of vaccines used during childhood and pregnancy, and confirms the absence of a causal link with ASD.”
Aluminum Adjuvants Cleared
The committee also evaluated long-standing claims regarding aluminum adjuvants—small amounts of aluminum salts used to boost the immune response in vaccines.
Drawing on studies conducted from 1999 to March 2023, as well as a recent large-scale study analyzing nationwide registry data of children born in Denmark between 1997 and 2018, the group found no connection.
“In summary, the available high-quality evidence shows no association between the trace amounts of aluminum used in some vaccines and ASD,” the statement read.
A History of Safety
This latest report reaffirms previous positions issued by the committee in 2002, 2004, and 2012. The organization continues to maintain that vaccines, including those containing thiomersal or aluminum, are safe.
The WHO emphasized the monumental impact of immunization programs.
“Global childhood immunization efforts represent one of the greatest achievements in improving lives… During the past 50 years, childhood immunization has saved at least 154 million lives,” the organization noted.
Countering Misinformation
The WHO urged national authorities to rely strictly on the latest science when crafting vaccine policies.
The statement serves as a scientific counterweight to recent high-profile misinformation. In September, President Donald Trump suggested that pregnant women should avoid Tylenol due to an unproven link to autism and called for changes to standard baby vaccines.
The WHO countered these claims a day later, stating that neither the painkiller nor vaccines have been shown to cause the disorder.
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