There is no scientific evidence that immunization causes sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Claims have been made that babies are dying of SIDS following vaccination. However, the number of deaths after vaccination is no greater than would be expected by chance alone. Most cases of SIDS occur in infants less than 6 months of age. As we know, this is the same period during which babies are vaccinated. Therefore, the probability of the two events (vaccination and SIDS) occurring within a short time is extremely high. Several large studies have found that there is no association between vaccination and SIDS. In fact, all of the studies found that babies who died of SIDS were less likely to have been vaccinated recently than control babies (babies chosen to match the babies who died of SIDS, according to factors such as age, sex and weight).

This document was published by the Canadian Paediatric society, 1997.

Posted by the Canadian Paediatric Society, July 1997.

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