Overview
- At HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s direction, the CDC webpage now says studies have not ruled out the possibility that infant vaccines contribute to autism.
- More than 60 medical and autism organizations condemned the change as misinformation and urged the CDC to restore prior language reflecting established evidence.
- Experts cite over 40 studies involving more than 5.6 million people that have found no causal connection between childhood vaccines or their ingredients and autism.
- The Autism Science Foundation said the new content was not vetted by CDC scientists and was shared by HHS administrators, adding to public confusion.
- Massachusetts officials denounced the update as dangerous misinformation, while a Boston Globe poll found 62% disapprove of Kennedy overall yet about one-third approve of his work on vaccine issues, alongside signs of rising vaccine hesitancy in some districts.