Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Jan 24: Routine immunisations given in early childhood do not increase the likelihood of epilepsy, a major new study led by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has found, offering fresh reassurance to parents and healthcare providers.
Published in The Journal of Pediatrics, the research also concluded that aluminum-based adjuvants—commonly used in vaccines to strengthen immune response—are not associated with a higher risk of epilepsy in young children.
“Up-to-date vaccination status and cumulative exposure to vaccine-related aluminum were not linked to incident epilepsy in children under four years of age,” the researchers reported. The study was conducted by a team that included experts from the Marshfield Clinic Research Institute in the US.
The analysis examined health data from 2,089 children diagnosed with epilepsy between the ages of one year and under four years. These cases were compared with a control group of 20,139 children without epilepsy, matched by age, sex, and healthcare provider. Most participants were boys (54 per cent), and a large proportion were between 12 and 23 months old.
Researchers evaluated whether following the recommended childhood vaccination schedule—or the total amount of aluminum received through vaccine adjuvants—had any impact on epilepsy risk. Aluminum exposure was calculated in milligrams based on standard immunisation schedules.
Aluminum salts such as aluminum hydroxide, aluminum phosphate, and related compounds have long been used in vaccines to improve effectiveness. Despite lingering safety concerns in public discourse, the study found no evidence that these substances raised epilepsy risk.
Statistical analysis showed that adjusted odds ratios for both vaccination status and aluminum exposure remained at or below 1.0, indicating no increased risk. In contrast, children with known risk factors—such as premature birth, a family history of epilepsy, or underlying neurological or medical conditions—were far more likely to develop the disorder.
A closer look at a small subgroup suggested that infants aged one to two months who received vaccines containing a specific combination of aluminum adjuvants appeared to have higher odds of an epilepsy diagnosis. However, the finding did not reach statistical significance, meaning it could not be confirmed as a true association.
The researchers said the overall findings strengthen confidence in the safety of childhood immunisation programmes, particularly at a time when vaccine uptake has declined in some communities.
“This study adds important reassurance about the safety of routine childhood vaccines,” the team noted, adding that the results may help doctors address parental concerns about epilepsy and vaccination with evidence-based clarity.