Study finds no link between mRNA COVID vaccine in pregnancy and autism

No link found between pregnancy vaccines and autism

Getting an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine shortly before or during pregnancy does not increase a child's risk of autism or developmental disorders. Researchers presented these findings at the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine's 2026 Pregnancy Meeting.

The study provides new, long-term data on the health of children born to vaccinated mothers. It directly addresses persistent public concerns about vaccine safety during pregnancy.

How the study was conducted

Researchers from the Maternal-Fetal Medicine Units Network evaluated 434 children between 18 and 30 months old. The prospective, multi-center study took place between May 2024 and March 2025.

Half of the children (217) were born to mothers who received at least one mRNA vaccine dose during pregnancy or within 30 days before conception. The other 217 children were born to mothers who did not receive the vaccine in that timeframe.

To ensure an accurate comparison, researchers matched mothers based on key factors:

• Location and date of delivery
• Insurance status
• Race

The study excluded pregnancies that ended before 37 weeks, involved multiples, or resulted in a child with a major congenital malformation.

Assessing child development

When the children were 1 to 2 years old, researchers used several standardized screening tools to assess their development. The primary tool was the Ages and Stages Questionnaire Version 3.

This questionnaire measures progress in five key areas:

• Communication
• Gross motor skills
• Fine motor skills
• Problem solving
• Personal social interaction

The team also reviewed results from the Child Behavior Checklist, the Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers, and the Early Childhood Behavior Questionnaire.

Reassuring findings for long-term health

"Neurodevelopment outcomes in children born to mothers who received the COVID-19 vaccine during or shortly before pregnancy did not differ from those born to mothers who did not receive the vaccine," said senior researcher Dr. George R. Saade of Old Dominion University.

Dr. Brenna L. Hughes of Duke University called the findings "reassuring." She emphasized that the study was conducted "through a rigorous scientific process in an NIH clinical trials network."

The research was funded by the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. The authors noted their conclusions are their own and do not necessarily reflect official NIH views.

Official guidance and publication

In the United States, both mRNA and protein subunit COVID-19 vaccines are recommended during all stages of pregnancy. Health officials consider them safe and crucial for protecting both maternal and infant health.

The study's abstract, "Association between SARS-CoV-2 vaccine in pregnancy and child neurodevelopment at 18-30 months," will be published in the February 2026 issue of Pregnancy, the SMFM's peer-reviewed journal.

This research adds to the growing body of evidence supporting the safety of COVID-19 vaccination for pregnant individuals and their children.