Kazakh Health Ministry cites studies finding no link between vaccines and autism
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Kazakhstan's Health Ministry cited studies involving over 1.2 million children that found no link between vaccines and autism. The ministry's Sanitary and Epidemiological Control Committee said scientific data do not support claims that multiple vaccines or vaccine antigens cause autism. The statement follows social media claims linking COVID-19 vaccination to autism and schizophrenia.
Key Facts
- A study compared 256 children with autism spectrum disorder and 752 children without the diagnosis, finding no link between the number of vaccine antigens received in the first two years of life and autism risk.
- A 2019 Danish study of over 657,000 children found no increased risk of autism after measles, mumps, and rubella vaccination, including among children at elevated risk of autism spectrum disorder.
- A 2014 meta-analysis published in the journal Vaccine pooled data from more than 1.2 million children and found no association between vaccination and autism, including for the MMR vaccine and thimerosal.
- The Sanitary and Epidemiological Control Committee stated that scientific data do not support claims that a large number of vaccines or vaccine antigens can lead to autism.
Scientific Evidence
The committee cited a study in which scientists compared 256 children with autism spectrum disorder and 752 children without the diagnosis. Researchers assessed how many vaccine antigens children received in the first two years of life, including in a single day. No link was found between the number of antigens and the risk of autism spectrum disorder. Other studies also found no dependence between the number of vaccines received and the development of autism.
Large-Scale Studies
A large Danish study published in 2019 examined data from more than 657,000 children. The study found no increased risk of autism after vaccination against measles, mumps, and rubella. No link was found even among children who were initially at elevated risk of developing autism spectrum disorder. A meta-analysis published in the journal Vaccine in 2014 pooled data from more than 1.2 million children. Researchers found no association between vaccination and autism, including for the MMR vaccine and thimerosal.
Ministry Response
The Sanitary and Epidemiological Control Committee emphasized that scientific data do not support claims that a large number of vaccines or vaccine antigens can lead to autism. The committee stated that no link was found between the number of antigens and the risk of autism spectrum disorder. NewTimes.kz previously examined a social media claim that COVID-19 vaccination could lead to an increase in autism and schizophrenia cases. Specialists found no scientific confirmation of such a link.
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Kazakh Health Ministry cites studies finding no link between vaccines and autism
