Vaccines do not cause autism: WHO
By AFP
December 12, 2025
More than half of the world's completely unvaccinated children live in just eight countries, research finds - Copyright AFP John WESSELS
A new analysis by the World Health Organization reaffirmed there is no link between vaccines and autism — contrary to theories being propagated in the United States.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) last month revised its website with language that undermines its previous, scientifically-grounded position that immunisations do not cause the developmental disorder autism.
Years of research demonstrate that there is no causal link between vaccinations and autism or other neurodevelopmental disorders.
But Robert F. Kennedy Jr, the nation’s health chief, has long voiced anti-vaccine rhetoric and inaccurate claims connecting the two.
WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told a press conference in Geneva that autism was not a side-effect of vaccines.
“Today, WHO is publishing a new analysis by the Global Advisory Committee on Vaccine Safety that has found, based on available evidence, no causal link between vaccines and autism,” the UN health agency chief said.
The committee looked at 31 studies in multiple countries over 15 years relating to vaccines containing thiomersal — a preservative that prevents bacterial and fungal contamination in multidose vials — and aluminium adjuvants.
“The committee concluded that the evidence shows no link between vaccines and autism, including vaccines containing aluminium or thiomersal,” said Tedros.
“This is the fourth such review of the evidence, following similar reviews in 2002, 2004 and 2012. All reached the same conclusion: vaccines do not cause autism.
“Like all medical products, vaccines can cause side effects, which WHO monitors. But autism is not a side effect of vaccines.”
– Flawed 1998 study –
A purported connection between the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine and autism stems from a flawed study published in 1998, which was retracted for including falsified data. Its results have not been replicated and are refuted by voluminous subsequent research.
“The study was later shown to be fraudulent and retracted, but the damage had been done, and the idea has never gone away,” said Tedros.
Kennedy has a long history of promoting dubious claims, many of which have become articles of faith among adherents to his “Make America Healthy Again” movement, a vital part of President Donald Trump’s fractious Make America Great Again coalition.
The CDC website edits were met with anger and fear by career scientists and other public health figures, including from within the agency, who have spent years fighting against false information.
Tedros said that over the past 25 years, under-five mortality has plunged by more than half, from 11 million deaths a year to 4.8 million, with vaccination being a major reason behind the drop.
“Vaccines are among the most powerful, transformative inventions in the history of humankind,” he said.
“Vaccines save lives from about 30 different diseases, including measles, cervical cancer, malaria and more.”
By AFP
December 12, 2025
More than half of the world's completely unvaccinated children live in just eight countries, research finds - Copyright AFP John WESSELS
A new analysis by the World Health Organization reaffirmed there is no link between vaccines and autism — contrary to theories being propagated in the United States.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) last month revised its website with language that undermines its previous, scientifically-grounded position that immunisations do not cause the developmental disorder autism.
Years of research demonstrate that there is no causal link between vaccinations and autism or other neurodevelopmental disorders.
But Robert F. Kennedy Jr, the nation’s health chief, has long voiced anti-vaccine rhetoric and inaccurate claims connecting the two.
WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told a press conference in Geneva that autism was not a side-effect of vaccines.
“Today, WHO is publishing a new analysis by the Global Advisory Committee on Vaccine Safety that has found, based on available evidence, no causal link between vaccines and autism,” the UN health agency chief said.
The committee looked at 31 studies in multiple countries over 15 years relating to vaccines containing thiomersal — a preservative that prevents bacterial and fungal contamination in multidose vials — and aluminium adjuvants.
“The committee concluded that the evidence shows no link between vaccines and autism, including vaccines containing aluminium or thiomersal,” said Tedros.
“This is the fourth such review of the evidence, following similar reviews in 2002, 2004 and 2012. All reached the same conclusion: vaccines do not cause autism.
“Like all medical products, vaccines can cause side effects, which WHO monitors. But autism is not a side effect of vaccines.”
– Flawed 1998 study –
A purported connection between the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine and autism stems from a flawed study published in 1998, which was retracted for including falsified data. Its results have not been replicated and are refuted by voluminous subsequent research.
“The study was later shown to be fraudulent and retracted, but the damage had been done, and the idea has never gone away,” said Tedros.
Kennedy has a long history of promoting dubious claims, many of which have become articles of faith among adherents to his “Make America Healthy Again” movement, a vital part of President Donald Trump’s fractious Make America Great Again coalition.
The CDC website edits were met with anger and fear by career scientists and other public health figures, including from within the agency, who have spent years fighting against false information.
Tedros said that over the past 25 years, under-five mortality has plunged by more than half, from 11 million deaths a year to 4.8 million, with vaccination being a major reason behind the drop.
“Vaccines are among the most powerful, transformative inventions in the history of humankind,” he said.
“Vaccines save lives from about 30 different diseases, including measles, cervical cancer, malaria and more.”
By AFP
December 5, 2025
The PABS system will determine how vaccines are shared during future pandemics - Copyright AFP Patrick T. Fallon
The World Health Organization chief said Friday that countries were in a strong position to finalise the vital missing piece of the pandemic treaty, which will determine how vaccines are shared.
In April, WHO member states concluded a landmark Pandemic Agreement on tackling future health crises, after more than three years of negotiations sparked by the shock of Covid-19.
The accord aims to prevent the disjointed responses and international disarray that surrounded the Covid-19 pandemic by improving global coordination and surveillance, and access to vaccines, in any future pandemics.
But the heartbeat of the treaty, the Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing (PABS) system, was left aside in order to get the deal over the line.
Countries were given another year to thrash out the details of how it will work.
The PABS mechanism deals with sharing access to pathogens with pandemic potential, then sharing the benefits derived from them: vaccines, tests and treatments.
Countries are tasked with getting the PABS system finalised by the next World Health Assembly in mid-May. The annual gathering of member states is the WHO’s decision-making body.
“This is both a generational opportunity and a generational responsibility,” WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said, after countries wrapped up a week of talks.
“As we get ready to close out this year, we are in a strong position to forge consensus, finalise the draft, and prepare for adoption at next year’s World Health Assembly.
“Together, we are moving toward a world that is better prepared for future pandemics.”
Countries will resume their fourth round of talks on January 20-22.
Once the PABS system is finalised, the entire agreement can then be ratified by members, with 60 ratifications required for the treaty to enter into force.
“As we cross the half-way mark in negotiations on the PABS system, I am encouraged by the progress we’ve made towards enabling a faster and more equitable global response to future pandemics,” said Matthew Harpur, co-chair of the talks.
Co-chair Ambassador Tovar da Silva Nunes of Brazil added: “We are confident we can build a strong and balanced PABS system that will benefit all people.”
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