Large Danish study finds no link between aluminum-containing childhood vaccines and chronic diseases — including autism and ADD/ADHD.

In this episode, we unpack the 2025 Annals of Internal Medicine study evaluating whether early-life exposure to aluminum-adsorbed vaccines is associated with autoimmune, allergic, or neurodevelopmental outcomes such as autism spectrum disorder or ADHD. We review the data behind the headlines, explain the study design and data source, and discuss how clinicians can communicate this evidence to parents.

Guest: Dr. Ann Philbrick, PharmD, FCCP, BCACP — Professor of Pharmaceutical Care & Health Systems at the University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy, with expertise in vaccine/immunization delivery and ambulatory care.

Study at a glance
- Design Nationwide Danish cohort, 1.2 million children (1997–2020)
- Exposure Total aluminum (mg) from vaccines in first 2 years of life
-Outcomes 50 chronic conditions (autoimmune, allergic, neurodevelopmental)
- Results No increased risk; aHR 0.98 for autoimmune, 0.99 for atopic/allergic, 0.93 for neurodevelopmental disorders
- Takeaway Findings were incompatible with moderate or large increases in risk and reinforce vaccine safety.

Key teaching points

1. Policy-driven changes in Danish vaccine formulations allowed a natural quasi-experiment design.
2. Large registry-based cohorts can rule out moderate safety signals.
3. Epidemiologic evidence does not support prior theoretical aluminum toxicity concerns.

Citation:  
Andersson NW et al. Aluminum-Adsorbed Vaccines and Chronic Diseases in Childhood: A Nationwide Cohort Study. Ann Intern Med. 2025. doi:[10.7326/ANNALS-25-00997](https://doi.org/10.7326/ANNALS-25-00997)

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