evidence: Is There a Connection Between Vaccines and Autism? There is no connection between vaccines and autism spectrum disorder. [...] So, how did the idea that vaccines play a role get started? Much of the blame lies with a study published in 1998 that suggested that the MMR (measles-mumps-rubella) vaccine, or infection with the naturally occurring measles virus itself, might cause autism. Since then, many scientific studies have shown that there is no link between vaccines — or any of their ingredients — and autism.