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Three federal judges ruled on Thursday against three families, each bringing lawsuits claiming childhood vaccinations caused autism in their children, the New York Times reported. The families failed to prove their children's autism was brought on by elements in the vaccines — the measles virus in the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine, or thimerosal, a mercury-based preservative that was used until 2001.

The judges considered 5,000 pages of testimony and 939 medical articles.

"Hopefully, the determination by the special masters will help reassure parents that vaccines do not cause autism," the Health and Human Services Department said in a statement.

Autism Speaks, which finances research, said the rulings "do not mitigate the need for further scientific investigation."

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