News Release

Statement from the Department of Health and Human Services Regarding the Decisions of the U.S. Court of Federal Claims in the Omnibus Autism Proceeding

As these latest cases illustrated, there's no doubt that autism and autism spectrum disorders place a heavy burden on many families.  We know that autism and related disorders are conditions that present many special challenges to all families touched by these disorders.  That is why the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services provides services to families with family members with autism spectrum disorder and continues to support research to better understand risk factors and causes of autism spectrum disorders and develop more effective methods of treatment.  

The medical and scientific communities have carefully and thoroughly reviewed the evidence concerning the theories that vaccines can cause autism and have found no association between vaccines and autism. 

Vaccines save lives.  The safety and efficacy of vaccines—and the public’s confidence in them—is one of our highest priorities.  If parents have questions or concerns about childhood vaccines, they should talk with their child’s health care provider. 

More information about autism and autism spectrum disorders can be found at www.hhs.gov/autism. 

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Note: All HHS press releases, fact sheets and other press materials are available at http://www.hhs.gov/news.

Last revised: January 03, 2011