The World Health Organization (WHO) has reiterated its stance that childhood vaccines do not cause autism, following a thorough review of the latest medical research data. The WHO Global Advisory Committee on Vaccine Safety (GACVS) meticulously examined 15 years’ worth of studies to assess vaccine safety. Among the key findings, the committee looked into the presence of additives like aluminium and thiomersal, and unequivocally stated that “vaccines, including those with thiomersal or aluminium or both, do not cause autism.”
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The WHO’s latest announcement has come after a comprehensive review of 31 studies conducted over a 15-year period. In their most recent assessment carried out in August 2025, the GACVS found no evidence linking vaccines to autism spectrum disorders (ASD). The committee specifically scrutinised vaccines containing thiomersal, a preservative often targeted by anti-vaccine groups as a potential trigger for ASD. The WHO affirmed that the available evidence strongly supports the safety of childhood and pregnancy vaccines, dismissing any causal link with ASD.
Moreover, the committee scrutinised vaccines containing aluminium adjuvants and concluded that there is no association between them and chronic or systemic diseases. Although two studies hinted at a possible link between aluminium-adjuvanted vaccines and autism, the WHO highlighted the methodological limitations and bias in those studies. The organization stressed that the trace amounts of aluminium in some vaccines have not been linked to ASD, supporting the continued use of aluminium-containing vaccines for their critical role in boosting immune responses.
This latest review by the WHO marks the fourth examination of vaccine safety, with previous evaluations conducted in 2002, 2004, and 2012. The organisation reiterated that the high-quality scientific evidence consistently indicates that vaccines, even those containing aluminium and thiomersal, do not cause autism. The WHO’s robust reaffirmation of vaccine safety comes amidst growing concerns and misinformation surrounding vaccines, particularly fuelled by prominent figures like Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a known vaccine sceptic.
Kennedy Jr.’s influence led to a controversial statement from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) suggesting a potential link between vaccines and autism, despite scientific consensus stating otherwise. The CDC website’s narrative on vaccines and autism was altered, insinuating uncertainty around the issue, but the organization maintained its position on the lack of evidence supporting such claims. As vaccine mistrust continues to rise, the WHO’s clear and evidence-based stance on vaccine safety serves as a crucial pillar in combating misinformation and ensuring public trust in vaccination programs.
In a climate where vaccine hesitancy poses a significant challenge to public health efforts, the WHO’s reaffirmation provides a solid foundation based on rigorous scientific evaluation. It underscores the importance of evidence-based decision-making in public health policies and the critical role of vaccines in preventing infectious diseases. By dispelling myths and misinformation, the WHO’s latest review serves as a beacon of clarity and reassurance for individuals and communities worldwide, reaffirming the safety and efficacy of childhood vaccines in protecting public health.