Measles vaccine linked to autism? Epidemiologist Daja clarifies: It is not true, not vaccinating puts children at risk

The sporadic measles cases recorded this year in the country are directly linked to unvaccinated children. Epidemiologists remind that the theory linking the vaccine to autism has been scientifically disproven and urge parents to follow the vaccination schedule.

The trend among some parents of delaying the Measles-Rubella-Mumps vaccine due to the false claim—spread by non-specialists—that it is associated with autism, has brought visible consequences in our country. This year, new cases of children affected by measles have been registered, a disease that is preventable through vaccination.

Rovena Daja, an epidemiologist at the Institute of Public Health, states clearly that the link between the MMR vaccine and autism has been categorically debunked by science.

“Autism is not caused by the Measles-Rubella-Mumps vaccine, and this is something that science confirms. Albania is a country with a calm epidemiological situation regarding measles, but at the moment during 2025 we have detected sporadic cases, and if at certain moments an unvaccinated child comes into contact with measles, then the child becomes infected and may even end up hospitalized. We even had cases in 2018 where four one-year-old children lost their lives,” said Rovena Daja, epidemiologist at the Institute of Public Health.

One of the most concerning situations this year was the one recorded in Fier, where due to disregard for vaccination, a kindergarten turned into an infection hotspot.

“Meanwhile, we had children in a kindergarten in Fier who were unvaccinated; although they were one year old, their parents had not vaccinated them, and all the children became infected one after another because they were unvaccinated. The kindergarten was closed, and the children were later all vaccinated. The situation then calmed down due to the vaccination coverage,” she said.

Daja explains that the confusion about the connection between the measles vaccine and autism is related to the fact that the vaccine is administered at the age of 1, which is often when parents begin noticing the first signs of autism in their child.

“The parent starts to realize that something is not right with their child precisely at the age of one. In fact, pediatricians identify the first signs of autism a bit later, after 15 to 18 months. They understand that something is not right, and when they ask the parent what they associate it with, the parent immediately says they link it to the vaccination,” said Rovena Daja, epidemiologist at the Institute of Public Health.

Doctors appeal for children to be vaccinated on time, according to the national vaccination schedule, which includes 13 vaccines that protect against infectious diseases.

According to INSTAT, in 2024 the vaccination coverage within the first year of life was very high, 97–99% for most vaccines. The exception remains the Measles-Rubella-Mumps vaccine, where coverage was 92%.

The goal of the Institute of Public Health for this year is to reach over 95% coverage, in order to block the circulation of the virus and prevent further outbreaks.

“KORÇA BOOM”