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Review
. 2019 Sep 29;6(1):585-600.
doi: 10.1146/annurev-virology-092818-015515. Epub 2019 Apr 15.

The MMR Vaccine and Autism

Frank DeStefano  1 , Tom T Shimabukuro  1
Affiliations
Review

The MMR Vaccine and Autism

Frank DeStefano et al. Annu Rev Virol. .

Abstract

Autism is a developmental disability that can cause significant social, communication, and behavioral challenges. A report published in 1998, but subsequently retracted by the journal, suggested that measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine causes autism. However, autism is a neurodevelopmental condition that has a strong genetic component with genesis before one year of age, when MMR vaccine is typically administered. Several epidemiologic studies have not found an association between MMR vaccination and autism, including a study that found that MMR vaccine was not associated with an increased risk of autism even among high-risk children whose older siblings had autism. Despite strong evidence of its safety, some parents are still hesitant to accept MMR vaccination of their children. Decreasing acceptance of MMR vaccination has led to outbreaks or resurgence of measles. Health-care providers have a vital role in maintaining confidence in vaccination and preventing suffering, disability, and death from measles and other vaccine-preventable diseases.

Keywords: ASD; MMR vaccine; autism; autism spectrum disorder; immunization; measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine; vaccination; vaccine safety.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
(a) Child with characteristic red, blotchy rash on third day of the measles rash. (b) Koplik spots on the soft palate and oropharynx due to pre-eruptive measles on day 3 of the illness.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Measles cases in the United States, 1962–2016. Data taken from the National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System (https://wwwn.cdc.gov/nndss/).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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