Vaccines do **not increase the risk of cerebral palsy (CP) in children**. Cerebral palsy is a neurological disorder caused primarily by brain injury or abnormal brain development before, during, or shortly after birth, and there is no credible scientific evidence linking vaccines to the development of CP.
Cerebral palsy results from factors such as preterm birth, infections during pregnancy, inflammation of the placenta or amniotic fluid, and brain injury in early infancy. Genetic factors can also play a role, but vaccines are not among the causes[3]. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and other authoritative health organizations emphasize that maintaining up-to-date vaccinations is part of good prenatal and postnatal care, which can help prevent infections that might otherwise increase the risk of brain injury and subsequent CP[3][4].
Vaccines protect children from serious infections such as measles, mumps, rubella, and influenza, which can cause complications including brain inflammation or injury if contracted. Preventing these infections through vaccination actually reduces the risk of neurological damage that could contribute to conditions like CP[4]. For example, infections like rubella during pregnancy are known risk factors for congenital abnormalities, including brain damage, which can lead to CP. Vaccination against rubella has dramatically decreased these risks.
Scientific studies and public health data have not found any association between vaccines and increased CP risk. Instead, vaccines are a critical tool in preventing illnesses that could indirectly increase the risk of neurological damage in children[1][2]. The safety of vaccines is continuously monitored, and adverse events are rare and carefully investigated. Conditions such as myocarditis after COVID-19 vaccination have been reported but are extremely rare and unrelated to cerebral palsy[1].
In summary, cerebral palsy is caused by brain injury or abnormal development mostly related to prenatal and perinatal factors, not vaccines. Vaccination is a key preventive measure that protects children from infections that could otherwise increase the risk of brain injury and CP. Maintaining vaccination schedules is recommended by pediatric and public health authorities worldwide to safeguard children’s health[3][4].
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Sources:
[1] 2025–2026 COVID-19 Immunization Guidance for Children, New York State Department of Health
[2] Recommendations for Prevention and Control of Influenza in Children, American Academy of Pediatrics
[3] Cerebral Palsy (CP) – Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, University of Rochester Medical Center
[4] Vaccines – Dangerous Infections They Prevent, American Academy of Pediatrics
