Fact Check: Rising Childhood Vaccination is NOT leading to rise in Autism in Children

The viral claim on social media platform X, blaming increased childhood vaccination for leading to an increased incidence of Autism is FALSE. 

Claim

In X post containing a video, it is claimed by a doctor that the prevalence of autism has dramatically increased, stating that when he was a child, autism affected 1 in 10,000 children, but now it's 1 in 36, making it the biggest childhood epidemic in U.S. history.

The rise in autism “appears to be associated with the expanding childhood vaccine schedule,” One Dr. McCullough explained, states the C user tagging the doctor. The user VigilantFox Further quotes the doctor as stating, In the 1960s, kids got three shots. “Now, a child today faces 108 shots.”

“At one of the visits between age one and two, there’s 13 shots administered altogether in children. And it’s been well demonstrated that if a child gets sick with a big round of shots, and they have a seizure, there’s about a 40% chance that the brain is injured, and they develop autism.”

The user then puts the video of the doctor where the doctor can be heard stating that some of the rise in autism could be attributed to improved screening and detection, but he insists that there has also been a significant genuine increase. He says that this rise is linked to the growing childhood vaccine schedule, comparing the three vaccines children received in the 1960s to the 108 vaccines they face today. He further claims that during one visit between ages one and two, a child may receive up to 13 shots, and asserts that it’s well-documented that if a child falls ill after a large round of shots and experiences a seizure, there’s a 40% chance of brain injury, which could lead to autism.

The post has 2.7M views and can be accessed here. 

Fact Check

This claim is False. There’s no scientific evidence that vaccinations per se or increase in number of vaccinations are linked with autism. In fact, there is plenty of scientific research that has been done on the subject and supports the fact that there is no link between vaccination and autism 

What is Autism?

Autism or autism spectrum disorder refers to a broad range of conditions characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech and nonverbal communication. According to the Centers for Disease Control, autism affects an estimated 1 in 36 children and 1 in 45 adults in the United States today.

Dr. Krishnasree K S, Associate Consultant, Neurology, KIMSHEALTH explained, "Autism is a childhood-onset, developmental condition that is associated with poor communication, abnormal behavior, and life-long dependency. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a biologically based neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by persistent deficits in social communication and social interaction, and restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, and activities."

Dr. Neeraj H, MBBS, MD (Psychiatry-NIMHANS), Associate Consultant Psychiatry, Apollo Adlux Hospital, Angamaly, Ernakulam highlighted the risk factors which includes, "Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition marked by difficulties in social interaction, communication, and behavior. While the precise causes of autism are not fully understood, research highlights several key risk factors:

1. Genetic Factors

Genetics plays a central role in autism risk. Studies show a familial pattern, with specific genes like CHD8, MECP2, and NRXN1 linked to increased risk. Autism results from the interplay of multiple genetic variations rather than a single gene.

2. Environmental Influences

Environmental factors can interact with genetic predispositions:

● Prenatal Exposure: Exposure to substances like alcohol, drugs, or infections during pregnancy can increase autism risk. For example, maternal exposure to the rubella virus or high levels of air pollution has been studied.

● Maternal Health: Conditions such as advanced maternal age, diabetes, and obesity, as well as complications like preterm birth, are associated with a higher risk.

3. Neurobiological Factors

Brain structure and function differences are observed in individuals with autism. Neuroimaging studies reveal atypical brain connectivity and growth patterns that may contribute to the characteristic challenges of ASD.

4. Epigenetic Factors

Epigenetics, which examines how environmental factors affect gene expression, also plays a role. Epigenetic changes can influence how genes related to brain development are expressed, impacting autism risk."

Are Vaccinations Important?

WHO says, "Vaccination is a significant global health achievement, saving millions of lives annually. Vaccines work by enhancing the body's natural immune defenses, offering protection against diseases. By triggering an immune response, vaccines help lower the risk of infection. Today, vaccines protect against more than 20 potentially deadly diseases, contributing to longer, healthier lives across all age groups. Immunization helps prevent 3.5 to 5 million deaths every year from diseases such as diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, influenza, and measles."

Is Rising Childhood Vaccination Schedule a leading to rise in Autism in Children?

There is no scientific evidence or medical consensus to support the claim that Rising Childhood Vaccination Schedule leads to a rise in Autism in Children.

An evidence-based meta-analysis published in Vaccine found that vaccinations are not associated with the development of autism or autism spectrum disorder. Furthermore, the components of the vaccines (thimerosal or mercury) or multiple vaccines (MMR) are not associated with the development of autism or autism spectrum disorder.

An article by Lidia V. Gabis et. al. in the European Journal of Paediatric Neurology presents substantial evidence showing no connection between vaccines and autism.

A study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine provides strong evidence that the MMR vaccine does not raise the risk of autism, does not trigger autism in children who may be predisposed and is not linked to clusters of autism cases following vaccination. This research builds on earlier studies by offering greater statistical power and specifically examining the hypotheses related to vulnerable subgroups and the clustering of cases.

The Medical Dialogues Fact Check Team spoke with Dr. Krishnasree K S, Associate Consultant, Neurology, KIMSHEALTH. She said, "Scientific studies suggest it is a myth. Preventing the protection provided by vaccination may cause real damage to autistic and normal individuals."

Dr. Neeraj H, MBBS, MD (Psychiatry-NIMHANS), Associate Consultant Psychiatry, Apollo Adlux Hospital, Angamaly, Ernakulam added, "There’s been a lot of confusion about vaccines and autism lately. Let's clear things up with some straightforward facts.

The Myth: Vaccines Cause Autism

The idea that vaccines cause autism started with a discredited study from 1998 by Andrew Wakefield. His research was flawed, and he lost his medical license over ethical issues. Since then, numerous large studies have found no link between vaccines and autism.

The Truth: Vaccines Are Safe

● Strong Evidence: Research involving hundreds of thousands of children shows no connection between vaccines and autism. A major 2019 study confirmed that vaccines, including the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine, are safe.

● Expert Opinion: Health organizations like the CDC, WHO, and the American Academy of Pediatrics all agree. “Vaccines are one of the greatest public health achievements of our time,”

● Proven Benefits: Vaccines have eradicated many dangerous diseases. Dr. Paul Offit, a vaccine expert, notes, “The benefits of vaccination far outweigh any risks.”

Why It Matters

Spreading false information about vaccines can lead to outbreaks of diseases that we could prevent. I am quoting Dr. Peter Hotez, a vaccine scientist, who had rightlfully warned, “The decline in vaccination rates is leading to a resurgence of diseases that we had once thought to be under control.”

Remember: The science is clear. Vaccines do not cause autism. They keep us safe from serious illnesses and are vital to public health."

Medical Dialogues Final Take

Vaccines, including the MMR vaccine, are safe and do not contribute to the development of autism or autism spectrum disorder. Claims suggesting a link between vaccines and autism lack scientific backing and have been thoroughly debunked by a strong body of evidence. It is crucial to rely on credible research when making health decisions to protect public health. While it is importnat to know the side efffects of various vaccines, it is also imporatnt to understand that there is no evidence that links autism as a side effect of vaccination process in children. Further, there is no evidence to support the claim that increase in Childhood Vaccination leads to rise in Autism. The evidence strongly supports vaccine safety, debunking claims of a link between vaccines and autism.

Thus, the claim is FALSE.