Receiving an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine shortly before or at any point during pregnancy is not associated with an increased risk of autism or other developmental disorders in children. This conclusion was reached by researchers who presented their findings at the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM) conference in 2026. These results provide new insights into the long-term health of children whose mothers were vaccinated during pregnancy.

Types of Vaccines and Recommendations

In the United States, two types of vaccines are used to prevent COVID-19: mRNA vaccines and subunit protein vaccines. Both options are considered safe at all stages of pregnancy and are recommended to protect the health of both mother and child.

Study Design

The study included 434 children aged 18 to 30 months. It was conducted at several medical centers from May 2024 to March 2025. Half of the children (217) were born to mothers who received at least one dose of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine during pregnancy or within 30 days before conception. The remaining 217 children were born to women who were not vaccinated during this period.

Assessment Methods and Results

To ensure objective comparison, the groups were matched by place and date of birth, insurance status, and race. Cases of preterm birth (before 37 weeks), multiple pregnancies, and severe congenital anomalies were excluded from both groups.

When the children reached between 18 months and 2.5 years of age, their development was assessed using the Ages and Stages Questionnaire Version 3, which measures progress in five areas: communication, gross and fine motor skills, problem-solving, and social interaction. Additional analyses included results from the Child Behavior Checklist, the Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers, and the Early Childhood Behavior Questionnaire to identify behavioral and developmental characteristics.

Lead researcher Dr. George R. Saade, Professor and Chair of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at Old Dominion University, noted: “The neurodevelopment of children born to mothers who received the COVID-19 vaccine during or shortly before pregnancy did not differ from that of children whose mothers were not vaccinated.”

Scientific Significance and Funding

Professor Brenna L. Hughes from Duke University emphasized that the study, conducted using rigorous scientific methods within the NIH clinical network, demonstrates encouraging results regarding the long-term health of children whose mothers were vaccinated against COVID-19 during pregnancy.

The study was funded by the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. The authors highlighted that the conclusions presented reflect their own views and do not necessarily represent the official position of the National Institutes of Health.