Massive study finds no association between autism and MMR vaccinations

A major new study finds no link between autism and the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine. Multiple studies over many years have also proven no association, and doctors and public health experts consider the matter settled. But in the wake of growing resistance to vaccines among some groups, the study's authors say they felt the need to redo the work. “The idea that vaccines cause autism is still going around. And the anti-vaxx movement, if anything, has perhaps only grown stronger over the last 15 years,” researcher Anders Hviid tells STAT's Helen Branswell. The study’s results come amid six measles outbreaks in the U.S., with 206 cases reported so far this year, according to the CDC.

And just yesterday, the American Academy of Pediatrics sent letters to the CEOs of Google, Facebook, and Pintrest, urging them step up their efforts to combat vaccine misinformation on their platforms.