What's happened
The CDC's vaccine and autism webpage was updated to state that the claim vaccines do not cause autism is not evidence-based, citing gaps in science. The change aligns with HHS Secretary Kennedy's skepticism, sparking criticism from health experts and advocates who emphasize the overwhelming scientific consensus that vaccines are safe and do not cause autism.
What's behind the headline?
The CDC's reversal on vaccine safety signals a troubling politicization of public health information. By replacing clear scientific consensus with language suggesting uncertainty, the agency risks eroding public trust at a critical time when vaccination rates are vital for disease control. The move appears driven by political influence, notably Kennedy's skepticism, rather than scientific evidence. This will likely deepen vaccine hesitancy, especially among vulnerable populations, and could lead to outbreaks of preventable diseases. The reliance on cherry-picked studies and the omission of robust, high-quality research undermine the credibility of health authorities. Moving forward, this shift may cause long-term damage to public health efforts, as trust in official guidance diminishes and misinformation gains ground.
What the papers say
The New York Times reports that the CDC's updated webpage now states that the claim 'vaccines do not cause autism' is not evidence-based, citing gaps in research and alleging that authorities have ignored supporting studies. The article highlights that this change was made under pressure from HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a known vaccine skeptic, and notes that many CDC scientists were unaware of the revision. Conversely, the AP News and The Independent emphasize that decades of scientific research have found no link between vaccines and autism, condemning the change as politically motivated and harmful to public health. The Ars Technica article criticizes the move for sowing distrust and warns of potential increases in vaccine-preventable diseases. Overall, the sources present a consensus that the scientific community strongly supports vaccine safety, and the recent CDC update is viewed as a step backward for evidence-based medicine.
How we got here
The CDC previously stated that studies found no link between vaccines and autism, based on decades of research. The recent update, driven by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., reflects his skepticism and claims that studies supporting the safety of vaccines have been ignored. This shift follows Kennedy's long-standing stance questioning vaccine safety and his influence on the HHS leadership, including his appointment as secretary. The change has caused concern among public health officials and scientists, who warn it undermines trust in vaccines amid ongoing efforts to combat vaccine hesitancy and prevent vaccine-preventable diseases.
Go deeper
More on these topics
-
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is a national public health institute in the United States. It is a United States federal agency, under the Department of Health and Human Services, and is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia.
-
Robert Francis Kennedy Jr. (born January 17, 1954), also known by his initials RFK Jr., is an American politician, environmental lawyer, author, conspiracy theorist, and anti-vaccine activist serving since 2025 as the 26th United States secretary of healt
-
The Autism Science Foundation is a non-profit organization that supports research into autism. The organization was founded in April 2009 by Alison Tepper Singer, a former senior executive of Autism Speaks and a member of the Interagency Autism Coordinati
-
The American Academy of Pediatrics is an American professional association of pediatricians, headquartered in Itasca, Illinois. It maintains its Department of Federal Affairs office in Washington, D.C.
-
William Morgan Cassidy is an American physician and politician serving as the senior United States Senator from Louisiana, a seat he was elected to in 2014.