A new study has found that children on the autism spectrum and their siblings are less likely to be fully vaccinated.
Published in JAMA Pediatrics, the research shows 80 percent of kids with autism received recommended childhood vaccines compared to 94 percent of children without the disorder. The findings suggest parents may still worry about vaccination risks after an autism diagnosis, although research has not shown a clear link between autism and vaccines, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The exact cause of autism is unknown, although experts generally accept environmental and genetic factors as components in the disorder's development.
Experts say not receiving critical vaccinations affects public health safety, contributing to an increase in outbreaks of preventable diseases.
Additional reporting from Newsy affiliate CNN.
