Reaffirming the safety of Australia's vaccines

Australia’s health leaders remain firmly committed to ensuring that vaccines available in Australia are safe, effective and supported by strong, independent scientific evidence. 

Vaccination is one of the most successful and cost-effective public health measures worldwide. It remains one of the most effective ways to protect people from many serious infectious diseases. 

Over the past 50 years, childhood vaccines have prevented 154 million deaths globally, the vast majority in children under five. Maintaining strong community confidence in the vaccines that keep people safe, and ensuring access to accurate and reliable information, is more important than ever.

The evidence shows that vaccines used in Australia are safe, effective and not associated with autism. This conclusion is based on multiple large, high-quality studies involving millions of children over several decades. It is supported by leading Australian health authorities and experts, including the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI), the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), and our nation’s medical colleges, and by international partners such as the World Health Organization. 

As Head of the TGA, and as Australia’s Chief Medical Officer (CMO), we stand with Australia’s leading medical, scientific and regulatory bodies, and with our trusted global counterparts, in affirming both the strength of this evidence and the rigour of our safety systems. 

In Australia, every vaccine undergoes comprehensive scientific and clinical assessment by the TGA before approval.  

Once in use, vaccines are monitored through robust post-market surveillance, including reporting of adverse events, analysis of clinical and community data, active safety monitoring programs, and continuous review of evidence from international regulators. These systems have not identified any safety signal suggesting a link between autism any vaccine or any vaccine ingredient. 

Parents seeking reassurance about the health decisions they make for their children deserve clear, evidence-informed advice to support those decisions. Parents and carers are encouraged to discuss any questions with their trusted healthcare professionals.  

Evidence-based guidance, including the Australian Immunisation Handbook, is available on the website of the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing.  

Professor Anthony Lawler, Deputy Secretary - Health Products Regulation Group, Head of the TGA

Professor Michael Kidd AO, CMO

Find out more 

Reliable, evidence-informed advice about vaccination is available at the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing website: 

• Immunisation
• Vaccine safety
• Australian Immunisation Handbook (clinical guidance)
• Childhood immunisation
• Your questions answered.