ANCOR Joins Statement to Reinforce Science That Vaccines Are Not Linked to Autism

ANCOR, alongside leading intellectual and developmental disability (I/DD) organizations including the Autism Society, The Arc, the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities (NACDD) and other organizations, joined in a statement reinforcing the scientific consensus that vaccines do not cause autism. 

Numerous large-scale studies involving millions of children worldwide have confirmed that there is no credible evidence linking vaccines, including the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine, to autism. Researchers, health organizations, and public health experts consistently affirm that vaccines are safe, rigorously tested, and essential for protecting individuals and communities from preventable diseases. Persistent misinformation linking vaccines to autism diverts attention from the pressing healthcare needs of the autism community, doing a disservice to individuals and families who require meaningful support the letter states. 

Vaccines remain one of the most effective public health measures, safeguarding people from potentially serious illnesses. While the precise causes of autism remain under investigation, ongoing research suggests a combination of hereditary, genetic, and medical factors.