WHO / TEDROS PRESSER

A new analysis by the Global Advisory Committee on Vaccine Safety has found that based on available evidence, no causal link between vaccines and autism. WHO

• Video Length: 00:02:36
• Production Date: 11 December 2025
• Asset Language: English
• Corporate Name: WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION - WHO
• Subject Topical: VACCINATION; PUBLIC HEALTH
• MAMS Id: 3514273
• Parent Id: 3514273
• Alternate Title: unifeed251211e

Description

STORY: WHO / TEDROS PRESSER
TRT:2:36
SOURCE: WHO
RESTRICTIONS: PLEASE CREDIT WHO ON SCREEN
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH / NATS

DATELINE: 11 DECEMBER 2025, GENEVA, SWITZERLAND

Shotlist

1.Wide shot, briefing room
2. SOUNDBITE (English) Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General:
“In 1998, a study was published in The Lancet that purported to show a link between vaccines and autism spectrum disorders. The study was later shown to be fraudulent and retracted, but the damage had been done, and the idea has never gone away. Today, WHO is publishing a new analysis by the Global Advisory Committee on Vaccine Safety that has found, based on available evidence, no causal link between vaccines and autism. The committee looked at 31 studies in multiple countries over 15 years relating to vaccines containing thiomersal and aluminium adjuvants, and the association between vaccines and autism in general.”
3.Wide shot, briefing room
4. SOUNDBITE (English) Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General:
“The committee concluded that the evidence shows no link between vaccines and autism, including vaccines containing aluminium or thiomersal. This is the fourth such review of the evidence, following similar reviews in 2002, 2004 and 2012. All reached the same conclusion: vaccines do not cause autism. Vaccines cause adults.”
5.Wide shot, briefing room
6. SOUNDBITE (English) Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General:
“Over the past 25 years, under-five mortality has dropped by more than half, from 11 million deaths a year to 4.8 million, and vaccines are the major reason for that. Vaccines are among the most powerful, transformative inventions in the history of humankind. Vaccines save lives from about 30 different diseases, including measles, cervical cancer, malaria and more.”
7. Wide shot, briefing room
8. SOUNDBITE (English) Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General:
“Like all medical products, vaccines can cause side effects, which WHO monitors. But autism is not a side effect of vaccines. Vaccines are essential not just for protecting children, but also for protecting adults against diseases including COVID-19 and influenza.”
9. Wide shot, briefing room

Storyline

A new analysis by the Global Advisory Committee on Vaccine Safety has found that based on available evidence, no causal link between vaccines and autism.

WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told reporters today (11 Dec) that “the committee looked at 31 studies in multiple countries over 15 years relating to vaccines containing thiomersal and aluminium adjuvants, and the association between vaccines and autism in general.”

Tedros added, “The committee concluded that the evidence shows no link between vaccines and autism, including vaccines containing aluminium or thiomersal,” explaining that this is the fourth such review of the evidence, following similar reviews in 2002, 2004 and 2012.”

All reached the same conclusion: vaccines do not cause autism. Vaccines cause adults,” the WHO chief said.

Tedros also noted that over the past 25 years, under-five mortality has dropped by more than half, from 11 million deaths a year to 4.8 million, and vaccines are the major reason for that.

“Vaccines are among the most powerful, transformative inventions in the history of humankind. Vaccines save lives from about 30 different diseases, including measles, cervical cancer, malaria and more,” he added.

The Director-General also said, “Like all medical products, vaccines can cause side effects, which WHO monitors. But autism is not a side effect of vaccines.”

“Vaccines are essential not just for protecting children, but also for protecting adults against diseases including COVID-19 and influenza,” he concluded.