Vaccines are a critical tool in preventing infectious diseases and protecting public health(1). The measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine is one of the most important vaccinations, as it protects against three serious viral infections(2). The vaccine is administered twice, once at 12 months of age and again between the ages of four and six. Following the two shots, it will achieving an efficacy rate of about 97% after the second dose(3). Without vaccination, infections from measles, mumps, or rubella can be life-threatening.

According to a survey in 2024 from the University of Pennsylvania(4), 1 in 4 people in the US believe that there is evidence to link measles vaccine and getting autism. Individuals who believe in the link between the two are less likely to get their children vaccinated(5). Despite the overwhelming evidence supporting the safety and effectiveness of the MMR vaccine, some people continue to believe the false claim that it causes autism.

The misconception that MMR vaccines cause autism originated in early 1998 when Andrew Wakefield published a study claiming a link between the vaccine and developmental disorders such as autism(6). However, Wakefield was a physician, not a specialist in psychiatry or neurology, making him unqualified to conduct research in that field. His study was published in The Lancet, a medical journal, but it lacked credible scientific evidence.

Following Wakefield’s publication, numerous scientific studies attempted to replicate his findings but found no connection between MMR vaccines and autism(7). As a result, The Lancet retracted the study, acknowledging its lack of validity. Investigations led by journalist Brian Deer uncovered evidence of research fraud, unethical treatment of child participants, and financial conflicts of interest. Wakefield also had ties to a lawsuit against MMR vaccine manufacturers. His medical license was eventually revoked, yet he continued to profit from the anti-vaccine movement.

Despite the study being discredited, Wakefield’s claims fueled widespread vaccine hesitancy. The belief that vaccines cause autism led some parents to avoid vaccinating their children, increasing the risk of outbreaks of measles, mumps, and rubella. The rise in vaccine hesitancy is particularly concerning because some individuals can’t receive vaccines due to allergies or other medical conditions(8). For these individuals, herd immunity is crucial in preventing the spread of disease.

MMR vaccines are essential in preventing severe illnesses and protecting both individual and public health. Scientific research has repeatedly debunked the myth that MMR vaccines cause autism, yet misinformation continues to spread. To safeguard public health, it is important to trust medical experts and rely on credible scientific research to maintain herd immunity and prevent new disease outbreaks.

1     Andre FE, Booy R, Bock HL, Clemens J, Datta SK, John TJ, Lee BW, Lolekha S, Peltola H, Ruff TA, Santosham M, Schmitt HJ. Vaccination greatly reduces disease, disability, death and inequity worldwide. Bull World Health Organ. 2008 Feb;86(2):140-6. doi: 10.2471/blt.07.040089. PMID: 18297169; PMCID: PMC2647387.
 
    2    Di Pietrantonj C, Rivetti A, Marchione P, Debalini MG, Demicheli V. Vaccines for measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella in children. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2021 Nov 22;11(11):CD004407. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD004407.pub5. PMID: 34806766; PMCID: PMC8607336.
 
    3    https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd/mmr/public/index.html#:~:text=Two%20doses%20of%20MMR%20vaccine%20are%2097%25%20effective%20against%20measles,are%20eliminated%20from%20the%20body.
 
    4    https://penntoday.upenn.edu/news/appc-false-belief-mmr-vaccine-autism-link-endures-measles-threat-persists#:~:text=In%20these%20surveys%2C%209%25%20to,can%20and%20cannot%20be%20spread.
 
    5    Baumgaertner B, Carlisle JE, Justwan F. The influence of political ideology and trust on willingness to vaccinate. PLoS One. 2018 Jan 25;13(1):e0191728. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0191728. PMID: 29370265; PMCID: PMC5784985.
 
    6    Wakefield AJ, Murch SH, Anthony A, Linnell J, Casson DM, Malik M, Berelowitz M, Dhillon AP, Thomson MA, Harvey P, Valentine A, Davies SE, Walker-Smith JA. Ileal-lymphoid-nodular hyperplasia, non-specific colitis, and pervasive developmental disorder in children. Lancet. 1998 Feb 28;351(9103):637-41. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(97)11096-0. Retraction in: Lancet. 2004 Mar 6;363(9411):750. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(04)15715-2. Retraction in: Lancet. 2010 Feb 6;375(9713):445. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(10)60175-4. PMID: 9500320.
 
    7    Hornig M, Briese T, Buie T, Bauman ML, Lauwers G, Siemetzki U, Hummel K, Rota PA, Bellini WJ, O’Leary JJ, Sheils O, Alden E, Pickering L, Lipkin WI. Lack of association between measles virus vaccine and autism with enteropathy: a case-control study. PLoS One. 2008 Sep 4;3(9):e3140. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0003140. PMID: 18769550; PMCID: PMC2526159.
 
    8    https://www.cdc.gov/vaccine-safety/vaccines/mmr.html