Is autism linked to the MMR vaccine?

Many people suspect or believe that the Measles, Mumps and Rubella vaccination may cause the onset of autism spectrum disorders, and some parents have refused to get their children vaccinated due to the perceived risk.

Concern over the link between the vaccine and autism were raised after a study by Dr Andrew Wakefield published in the Lancet in 1998 claimed MMR might trigger autism. However, no research has ever proved a link, and the overwhelming majority of experts believe the vaccine is safe.

The latest research from Japan studied autism rates in over 31,000 children up to the age of seven, who were born before and after the withdrawal of the MMR jab in that country. It was found that autism rates continued to rise after the triple vaccine was withdrawn in 1993, whereas rates would have been expected to fall if the jab was a major cause.