The Claim:
Anti-vaxxers are trying to convert COVID vaccine hesitancy into all vaccine hesitancy by connecting the autism myth to their fears of COVID vaccines, claiming that vaccines cause brain inflammation leading to autism.
The Facts:
Plenty of evidenceĀ tells us that vaccines do not causeĀ autism. Not only doĀ theĀ studies done to date show vaccines are not in any way linked toĀ autism, butĀ studiesĀ indicate disorganization ofĀ theĀ prefrontal cortex inĀ theĀ brains ofĀ autisticĀ people. This finding about brains linksĀ autismĀ to development that takes place before birth.
Of allĀ theĀ risk factorsĀ for developingĀ autism, we know genetics looksĀ theĀ most likely, and being vaccinated is not among them.
Disclaimer: Science is always evolving and our understanding of these topics may have evolved too since this was originally posted. Be sure to check out our most recent posts and browse the latest Just the Facts Topics for the latest.
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