In a dramatic reversal of public health guidance, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has abandoned its longstanding position that vaccines do not cause autism, following personal intervention from Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
CDC's Website U-Turn on Vaccine Safety Claims
The significant policy shift occurred on Thursday when the CDC updated its official webpage regarding vaccine safety. Previously, the agency's website stated unequivocally that studies have shown there is no link between receiving vaccines and developing autism spectrum disorder.
However, the updated guidance now states: "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." This represents a complete turnaround from the CDC's previous definitive position on the matter.
Kennedy's Personal Intervention in Scientific Guidance
On Friday, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr publicly asserted that he personally instructed the CDC to change its position. In an interview with the New York Times, Kennedy explained his reasoning, citing significant gaps in vaccine safety science as the primary motivation for this unprecedented move.
Kennedy acknowledged that large-scale epidemiological studies of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine had found no link to autism, and that research on the mercury-based preservative thimerosal had similarly shown no connection. However, he emphasized that high-quality large studies examining potential links between autism and other vaccines given during the first year of life remain insufficient.
"The whole thing about 'vaccines have been tested and there's been this determination made,' is just a lie," Kennedy stated emphatically. "The phrase 'Vaccines do not cause autism' is not supported by science."
Unprecedented Nature of Health Secretary's Direct Involvement
The report highlights the highly unusual nature of a health secretary personally ordering changes to scientific guidance. Typically, such decisions emerge from scientific review processes within the agency rather than direct political intervention.
This development marks one of the most significant shifts in US vaccine policy in decades and is likely to fuel ongoing debates about vaccine safety, parental choice, and public health communication. The change comes amid growing scrutiny of vaccine safety protocols and increasing calls for more transparent communication about potential risks.
Public health experts are now watching closely to see how this policy reversal will impact vaccination rates and public trust in vaccine programs, particularly as the CDC has been the primary authority on vaccine safety information for decades.
