A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention webpage that once ruled out a link between vaccines and autism has been revamped to say studies “have not ruled out” the possibility of a connection.
The reversal reflects Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s approach to the topics of vaccines and autism.
His direction alarms some scientists and autism groups who say the science is settled and there is no link.
“The claim ‘vaccines do not cause autism’ is not an evidence-based claim because studies have not ruled out the possibility that infant vaccines cause autism,” the CDC webpage titled “Autism and Vaccines” says. “Studies supporting a link have been ignored by health authorities.”
The page also says HHS is conducting an assessment of what causes autism, including investigations into “plausible biologic mechanisms and potential causal links.”
Mr. Kennedy has a track record of vaccine skepticism. It was a major talking point during his confirmation hearings, although he assuaged enough GOP senators to get his nomination approved.
Autism is also a key focus for the Trump administration. Previously, Mr. Kennedy and President Trump said there was some evidence that taking Tylenol while pregnant or giving Tylenol to newborns could lead to autism.
Mr. Trump also encouraged parents to break up vaccine doses instead of giving multiple vaccines at once.
HHS spokesman Andrew Nixon said the agency made a “common-sense update” to the CDC webpage about vaccines.
“Some research suggesting possible biologic mechanisms has been ignored or dismissed by public health agencies, and HHS is committed to finding a definitive answer,” he said in a statement. “Secretary Kennedy has launched a comprehensive review of autism’s causes, including investigations into environmental and biologic factors, with an emphasis on transparency, reproducibility, and gold-standard science. The CDC’s site updates are part of that broader effort to ensure all public-facing information reflects ongoing scientific inquiry.”
The Autism Science Foundation said it was “appalled” by the update. It said vaccines have been thoroughly researched, with no evidence they cause autism.
“The CDC has always been a trustworthy source of scientifically backed information, but it appears this is no longer the case,” foundation President Alison Singer said. “Spreading this misinformation will needlessly cause fear in parents of young children who may not be aware of the mountains of data exonerating vaccines as a cause of autism and who may withhold vaccines in response to this misinformation, putting their children at risk to contract and potentially die from vaccine-preventable diseases.”
The information from the CDC is not consistent across all its webpages. A separate page about “vaccines for your children” says no proven link exists.
“Scientific studies and reviews continue to show no relationship between vaccines and autism,” it says.
• Tom Howell Jr. can be reached at thowell@washingtontimes.com.
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