COVID-19 mRNA Vaccine in Pregnancy: No Link to Autism or Developmental Issues – Study

COVID-19 mRNA Vaccine in Pregnancy: No Link to Autism or Developmental Issues – Study

February 16, 2026 discoverhiddenusacom Health

New research presented at the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM) 2026 Pregnancy Meeting offers reassuring evidence regarding the health of children born to mothers who received an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine during or shortly before pregnancy. The study indicates no link between maternal mRNA COVID-19 vaccination and an increased risk of autism or other developmental disorders in children.

Study Details and Findings

Researchers within the Maternal-Fetal Medicine Units Network conducted a prospective, multi-center, observational study between May 2024 and March 2025. The study involved 434 toddlers, aged between 18 and 30 months, and assessed them for signs of autism and other developmental concerns.

Half of the children – 217 in total – were born to mothers who had received at least one dose of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine during pregnancy or within 30 days prior to becoming pregnant. The other 217 children were born to mothers who did not receive the mRNA vaccine during the same timeframe. Researchers carefully paired vaccinated and unvaccinated mothers based on factors like delivery location, delivery date, insurance status, and race to ensure a comparable analysis.

Did You Know? The study excluded pregnancies that ended before 37 weeks, involved multiple babies, or resulted in a child with a major congenital malformation.

To evaluate developmental progress, researchers utilized the Ages and Stages Questionnaire Version 3, which measures communication, gross motor skills, fine motor skills, problem solving, and personal social interaction. Additional assessments included the Child Behavior Checklist, Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers, and the Early Childhood Behavior Questionnaire.

According to senior researcher George R. Saade, MD, Professor and Chair of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and Associate Dean for Women’s Health, at Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, VA, “Neurodevelopment outcomes in children born to mothers who received the COVID-19 vaccine during or shortly before pregnancy did not differ from those born to mothers who did not receive the vaccine.”

Expert Insight: This study adds to a growing body of evidence supporting the safety of mRNA COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy, addressing a significant concern for expectant mothers during the pandemic and beyond. The rigorous methodology, including careful matching of participants, strengthens the reliability of these findings.

What This Means for the Future

The findings from this study could further inform public health recommendations regarding COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy. If future research continues to demonstrate no association between maternal vaccination and adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes, it may lead to increased confidence in vaccination among pregnant individuals. Further studies could explore potential long-term effects as the children in this cohort continue to develop.

Frequently Asked Questions

What types of COVID-19 vaccines are recommended in the United States?

In the United States, both the messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) vaccine and a protein subunit vaccine are recommended and considered safe during all stages of pregnancy.

How many children were included in the study?

The study evaluated 434 children between 18 months and 30 months of age.

When were the study results presented?

The research was presented at the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM) 2026 Pregnancy Meeting and will be published in the February 2026 issue of PREGNANCY.

As more data becomes available, will this research continue to shape our understanding of the long-term effects of maternal vaccination on child development?