UK MHRA: childhood vaccines safe, no autism link
Parents, teachers and students hear the same claim on group chats and at the school gate: do vaccines cause autism? The UK’s medicines regulator, the MHRA, has restated the evidence that childhood vaccines are safe and not linked to autism. Dr Alison Cave, the MHRA’s Chief Safety Officer, says the conclusion comes from many large, carefully run studies, not a single survey or anecdote.
First, who decides if a vaccine can be used in the UK? The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency assesses every vaccine before it reaches a clinic, checking safety, quality and how well it works. Approval is the starting point, not the finish. Once a vaccine is in use, the MHRA keeps watch through real‑world data, international evidence and the Yellow Card scheme, where anyone can report a suspected side effect.
When people ask about autism, we look at the strongest research. National registry studies following millions of children, including those that compare brothers and sisters, find no link between vaccination and autism. A major review published in 2014 combined results from over 1.26 million children in cohort studies and nearly 10,000 in case–control studies; it found no association with autism or autism spectrum disorder. These findings have been repeated across different countries and health systems.
So why does the myth persist? Timing can trick us. Some jabs are given at the same age that developmental differences are first noticed, which makes coincidence feel like cause. This is a good media‑literacy moment for all of us: a viral post is not the same as evidence. When you see a claim, ask who gathered the data, how many people were studied, whether methods were published, and whether independent teams found the same result.
What about side effects? Like any medicine, vaccines can cause short‑lived reactions such as a sore arm, a mild fever or tiredness. Serious reactions are very rare, and the system is set up to catch them early. The Yellow Card scheme lets you, your GP or your school nurse report anything unusual. A report does not prove a vaccine caused the event; it flags a signal for scientists to examine alongside other data. You can report at Link
Why does the NHS recommend the routine childhood schedule? Because it prevents serious illnesses, including measles, meningitis and whooping cough. The World Health Organization and the UK’s Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation review the evidence and advise on timing and doses. When vaccination rates drop, these diseases return and spread. Keeping up to date protects your child and helps shield classmates who are too young or too unwell to be vaccinated.
If you’re a parent or carer, check your child’s Red Book or the NHS App against the NHS vaccination schedule. If a dose has been missed, GP practices and community clinics offer catch‑up appointments. If you have questions, book time with a health professional and bring them along. Clear, personal advice beats endless scrolling. The NHS schedule is here: Link
If you work in a school or college, your role is to share trusted information and create space for questions. Point families to NHS guidance rather than unverified posts, explain consent forms in plain English, and let pupils know they can speak to the nurse at school vaccination sessions. If students are worried, help them separate feelings from facts and encourage them to speak with a health professional.
For students, this is a chance to practise critical thinking. Strong claims need strong evidence. Look for large studies, published methods and independent review. Notice the difference between a personal story and population data. Remember that regulators such as the MHRA will change advice if solid new evidence appears-that is how science protects people over time.
The takeaway is straightforward. The MHRA, backed by decades of research, says childhood vaccines are safe and do not cause autism. Follow NHS guidance on when jabs are due, and use the Yellow Card scheme if you spot a suspected side effect so experts can keep monitoring safety. That’s how we protect children-and keep trust rooted in evidence.