Overview
- The CDC’s Nov. 19 update now asserts that the claim 'vaccines do not cause autism' is not evidence-based, says studies have not ruled out a possible link, and suggests pro-link studies were ignored by health authorities.
- Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. told the New York Times he personally directed the change, arguing there are gaps in safety data even as large studies have found no link for MMR or thimerosal.
- The webpage still displays the line 'Vaccines do not cause autism' with an asterisk noting it remains due to an agreement with Sen. Bill Cassidy, who publicly rejected the new language as wrong and irresponsible.
- HHS said it has launched a comprehensive assessment into the causes of autism and stated that studies supporting a vaccine link have been ignored by health officials.
- Career CDC scientists and former leaders say the edit bypassed normal scientific clearance, while medical groups, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, reaffirm decades of research showing no link and warn the wording could erode public trust.