MHRA reassures parents it is safe to vaccinate their children

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has reaffirmed the safety of routine childhood vaccination, stating that extensive scientific evidence shows vaccines do not cause autism in children

The statement, published on 12 August 2026, comes as the UK medicines regulator encouraged parents and carers to continue following NHS vaccination guidance to protect children from serious and potentially life-threatening infectious diseases.

No evidence linking vaccines to autism

The MHRA said multiple large-scale studies involving millions of children around the world have found no evidence that vaccination causes autism.

Research has examined the potential link in several ways, including national health registry studies and studies comparing vaccinated children with their siblings. One recent study involving 2.56 million children in the United States found no association between receiving the MMR vaccine before the age of two and developing autism.

Earlier research has reached similar conclusions. A major meta-analysis covering more than 1.26 million children in cohort studies and almost 10,000 children in case-control studies found no association between vaccination and autism spectrum disorder.

Vaccines undergo extreme safety checks

The MHRA said all vaccines approved for use in the UK undergo detailed assessments of their safety, quality and effectiveness before they can be authorised.

Safety monitoring does not stop once a vaccine is approved. The agency continuously reviews evidence from the UK’s Yellow Card reporting system, large healthcare databases and international safety information.

Independent scientific experts also contribute to the ongoing assessment of vaccine safety. If new evidence suggests that the balance of benefits and risks has changed, the MHRA said it will act promptly and update guidance where necessary.

Protecting children from serious diseases

Vaccination remains a key part of protecting children against preventable diseases, including measles, meningitis and whooping cough.

The UK’s childhood vaccination schedule is based on evidence reviewed by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) and is supported by NHS clinical guidance. The approach is also consistent with recommendations from the World Health Organization and public health authorities internationally.

Some vaccines contain adjuvants, which are ingredients designed to strengthen the body’s immune response. Aluminium is used as an adjuvant in some vaccines, although it is not used in the MMR vaccine. The MHRA highlighted recent research that found no evidence of an increased risk of neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism, from exposure to aluminium-containing vaccines during early childhood.

Parents encouraged to follow NHS guidance

The MHRA has encouraged parents and carers to continue following the recommended childhood vaccination schedule and to speak with a healthcare professional if they have questions or concerns.

The agency also reminded the public and healthcare professionals that suspected side effects from vaccines and medicines can be reported through the MHRA’s Yellow Card scheme.