Study finds no link between childhood vaccines and epilepsy risk

Routine childhood vaccinations do not increase the risk of epilepsy in young children, according to a new large-scale study conducted by researchers from the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The study, published in The Journal of Paediatrics, also found no evidence that aluminium-based adjuvants used in vaccines raise the risk of developing epilepsy. Vaccine adjuvants are substances added to vaccines to strengthen the body’s immune response and have long been a subject of public concern regarding neurological safety.

Researchers analysed health data from 2,089 children diagnosed with epilepsy between the ages of 1 year and under 4 years, and compared them with 20,139 children without epilepsy, matched for age, sex, and healthcare location. Among the children studied, 54 per cent were boys, and 69 per cent were between 1 year and 23 months old.

The research team closely examined whether being up to date with routine childhood vaccinations or having higher cumulative exposure to aluminium from vaccines increased epilepsy risk. Aluminum exposure was measured in milligrams based on the standard childhood immunisation schedule.

The findings showed no association between epilepsy and vaccination status, nor with cumulative aluminium exposure from vaccines. Statistical analysis revealed that the adjusted odds ratios for both vaccination and aluminium exposure remained below or equal to 1.0, indicating no increased risk.

Aluminium salts such as aluminum hydroxide, aluminum phosphate, aluminum hydroxyphosphate sulfate, and aluminum potassium sulfate are commonly used in vaccines to improve immune response. Despite concerns, the study confirmed that these adjuvants do not contribute to a higher incidence of epilepsy in children.

Importantly, the researchers noted that children with established risk factors—such as premature birth, a family history of epilepsy, or underlying neurological or medical conditions—were significantly more likely to develop epilepsy, regardless of vaccination status.

A subgroup analysis did observe that infants aged 1 to 2 months who received vaccines containing a specific combination of aluminium adjuvants appeared to have higher odds of an epilepsy diagnosis. However, this finding did not reach statistical significance, meaning it could not be conclusively linked to vaccination.

Overall, the researchers emphasized that the study offers strong reassurance about the safety of the routine childhood immunisation schedule, especially at a time when vaccination rates have declined in some populations.

They added that these findings can help healthcare providers address parental concerns and reinforce confidence in vaccines, highlighting that routine childhood immunisations remain a safe and essential tool for preventing serious infectious diseases.

With Inputs From IANS