The widespread fear that vaccines increase the risk of Autism first originated in a 1998 study published by Andrew Wakefield, a British surgeon at the time. The study was published in a prestigious medical journal, “The Lance”, in which it suggested that measle, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine was causing autism in British children.

After further analysis of the paper, it was discredited due to the procedural errors and ethical violations found in it. Wakefield lost his medical license and the study was pulled out of “The Lance.”

However, the hypothesis was taken seriously and serious major investigations were conducted. None of them found any connection between vaccines leading to Autism.

According to a study conducted by the American College of Physicians, their “study strongly supports that MMR vaccination does not increase the risk for Autism, does not trigger Autism in susceptible children, and is not associated with clustering of Autism cases after vaccination.”

Furthermore, in a photo essay by CBS News, it was mentioned that “studies involving millions of children have found no link between childhood vaccines and Autism.”

Thus, through investigations and researches conducted, it can be concluded that vaccines do not cause Autism and this is nothing but merely a myth.

Sources: 

• https://annals.org/aim/fullarticle/2727726/measles-mumps-rubella-vaccination-autism-nationwide-cohort-study
• https://www.chop.edu/centers-programs/vaccine-education-center/vaccines-and-other-conditions/vaccines-autism
• https://www.publichealth.org/public-awareness/understanding-vaccines/vaccine-myths-debunked/
• https://www.cbsnews.com/pictures/10-deadly-myths-about-childhood-vaccines/2/