mRNA COVID-19 vaccine not linked to neurodevelopmental problems in children

Researchers report that maternal vaccination with the mRNA COVID-19 vaccine is not associated with autism or other neurodevelopmental problems in children whose mothers were vaccinated immediately before or during pregnancy.

The findings were reported on Feb. 11, 2026 at the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM) 2026 Pregnancy Meeting.

“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,“ said 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.

The investigators made a study of 18-30 month- old offspring of mothers who received  or did not receive at least one dose of an mRNA SARS-CoV-2 vaccine during pregnancy or within 30 days prior to pregnancy.

The primary outcome was equivalence within an upper and lower margin of 10 points for the Ages and Stages Questionnaire version 3 (ASQ-3).  which assesses and tracks child development in five main areas: communication, gross motor skills, fine motor skills, problem-solving, and personal-social interaction.

Additionally, the researchers compared the assessments to scores from the Child Behavior Checklist, Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers, and the Early Childhood Behavior Questionnaire.

Mothers who received the mRNA COVID-19 vaccine were matched with mothers who did not receive the vaccine. The matching was based on the delivery site (hospital, birth center, etc.), delivery date, insurance status, and race.  Matching was possible for 217 pairs of mothers.

Children born to both groups were tested for neurodevelopmental problems at age 1 ½ – 2 ½ years,

The researchers reported that, at baseline, the mothers in the vaccine-exposed group were more likely to be first-time mothers, and the vaccine-exposed children were more likely to be slightly younger at assessment than unexposed children, 25.4 months vs 25.9 months. There were no other significant differences in the baseline characteristics of the children.

The investigators reported that the primary outcome of ASQ-3 total scores was equivalent for vaccine exposed and vaccine unexposed children.

The authors concluded, “The primary neurodevelopmental outcome was equivalent between children of mothers who received and did not receive mRNA SARS-CoV-2 vaccination during or immediately prior to pregnancy. There was no association with secondary neurodevelopmental outcomes. Our results provide reassurance regarding the safety of mRNA SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in pregnancy.”

“This study, conducted through a rigorous scientific process in an NIH clinical trials network, demonstrates reassuring findings regarding the long-term health of children whose mothers received COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy,” added Brenna L. Hughes, MD, MSc, Edwin Crowell Hamblen Distinguished Professor of Reproductive Biology and Family Planning and Interim Chair of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Duke University in Raleigh, NC.