Research Review: Aluminum in Vaccines Strengthens Immune Responses, Does Not Cause Autism, Asthma or Other Serious Health Issues

The use of aluminum salts in vaccines is safe, well-tolerated and effective in boosting the immune system to prevent disease, according to a special article prepublished online in Pediatrics Dec. 3. The article, “The Role and Safety of Aluminum Adjuvants in Childhood Vaccines,” (published in the March 2026 Pediatrics) reviews evidence from large clinical and epidemiologic studies and finds robust, long-lasting protection against infectious diseases. Researchers observe that aluminum salts have been used as adjuvants – or immune boosters - for nearly 100 years and are used in scant amounts in vaccines. The large-scale studies consistently demonstrated no association between aluminum-adjuvanted vaccines and autism spectrum disorder, neurotoxicity, allergic disease, or autoimmune disease. Aluminum is the third-most abundant element on Earth, and humans are exposed to it naturally in food, soil and air. The human body processes aluminum salts the same way regardless of whether they are injected in the body as part of a vaccine or ingested as part of food or water, studies show. This article is being made available through prepublication due to public interest. As a prepublished article, it has undergone peer review and been accepted for publication but is not the final version of record.

Additional resources:

Fact Checked: Aluminum in Vaccines Strengthen Immune Responses, Do Not Cause Autism, Serious Health Issues

Vaccine Ingredients: Frequently Asked Questions - HealthyChildren.org

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The American Academy of Pediatrics is an organization of 67,000 primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists and pediatric surgical specialists dedicated to the health, safety and well-being of infants, children, adolescents and young adults.