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A new study from Denmark has given many parents something important: peace of mind. For years, some people have worried that aluminum in vaccines might be harmful, especially to children. Concerns have ranged from autism to autoimmune issues, asthma, and more.

However, this massive study — one of the largest of its kind — examined over 1.2 million children and found no connection between aluminum in vaccines and any of these conditions. That includes autism, ADHD, allergies, and autoimmune disorders.

What Did the Study Actually Find?

The researchers tracked children born in Denmark between 1997 and 2018, following them until the end of 2020. They focused on children who received different amounts of aluminum in their early childhood vaccines — not unvaccinated children, but children with more or less aluminum exposure. They then looked for signs of 50 chronic conditions, including:

• 36 types of autoimmune diseases (like type 1 diabetes or celiac)
• 9 allergic conditions (like asthma or eczema)
• 5 neurodevelopmental issues (like autism and ADHD)

The result? No link. Kids with higher aluminum exposure from vaccines were no more likely to have any of these health issues than those with lower exposure.

Dr. Anders Hviid, the lead researcher, said he understands why parents are cautious. He’s a dad too. “This study gives clear, strong evidence that vaccines with aluminum are safe,” he said. “It helps parents make confident choices for their kids.”

Why Is Aluminum Even in Vaccines?

It’s a fair question. Aluminum salts (not the metal itself) are added to some vaccines to help the body recognize and respond to them better. These ingredients are called adjuvants, and they essentially “wake up” the immune system, allowing the vaccine to work effectively.

Without adjuvants, a vaccine may not provide sufficient protection. Aluminum has been used safely for decades in childhood vaccines, such as DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis), Hepatitis B, pneumococcal, and HPV.

Doctors also explained that the body clears out aluminum salts quickly, usually within two weeks. A tiny amount may stay longer, but it’s not harmful. Plus, babies get more aluminum from breast milk, water, and food than they do from vaccines.

Clearing the Confusion

Some parents got worried in 2022 when a CDC-funded study suggested aluminum in vaccines might be linked to asthma. However, that study had flaws — it didn’t separate aluminum from vaccines from aluminum from other sources, such as diet or air.

Experts say this new Danish research is more reliable because of how carefully health data is tracked in Denmark, and every child’s records are linked from birth. That allows researchers to follow long-term health outcomes more precisely than in most other countries.

From Illinois Autism Center

At Illinois Autism, we believe in empowering families with facts, not fear. We know how much misinformation floats around, especially when it comes to autism and vaccines.

We’re grateful for high-quality science that helps parents make informed choices. Stay connected with us for more updates, support, and advocacy for families in the autism community.