CDC Revises Website to Say Vaccines May Cause Autism

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated its website to say vaccines may cause autism, a shift from previous guidance that has drawn criticism from public health experts.

The Details: The revised page states that the claim "vaccines do not cause autism" is "not an evidence-based claim" and suggests that some studies indicating a link have been overlooked by health authorities. It is unclear whether the change originated from CDC staff or the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Previous CDC pages cited studies from the National Academy of Medicine and CDC-supported research showing no correlation between vaccines and autism. As of now, the page still says "Vaccines do not cause autism," however it includes an asterisk. 

For Context: HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has long expressed skepticism about vaccines, claiming they may contribute to autism. Kennedy has previously framed himself not as "anti-vaccine" but "pro-safety." The scientific and medical consensus endorsed by major health organizations worldwide continues to hold that vaccines are not a cause of autism. 

Outlets across the political spectrum emphasized the controversy surrounding the change and cited public health experts who criticized the update. 

Debunked Claims Several left-rated outlets called the new information "false" and emphasized the update contradicted decades of research. CNN (Lean Left bias) highlighted several individual studies that disproved the connection, and quoted the president of the Autism Science Foundation, Alison Singer, who said, "The language is a common tactic used to cast doubt on the safety of vaccines." The Washington Post (Lean Left) focused on the response from within the CDC, quoting a former senior leader at the agency, who said the CDC "cannot currently be trusted as a scientific voice." The Hill (Center) quoted Singer saying, "At this point it's not about doing more studies; it's about being willing to accept what the existing study data clearly show." NewsNation (Center) said the change was the latest HHS attempt to "revisit and foster uncertainty about long-held scientific consensus" about vaccine safety.

Possibility For Error: Some right-rated outlets covered claims that previous studies were flawed. Just The News (Lean Right) interviewed a doctor who said previous studies lacked a control group and detailed data on children, parents and vaccine records. The Epoch Times (Lean Right) acknowledged previous research and concerns, but focused more on questioning that consensus. It cited CDC information that the rise in autism correlates with an increase in the number of vaccines given to children, and wrote, "a small number of studies have found an association between certain vaccines and autism." It also quoted the CEO of Children's Health Defense, saying, "Finally, the CDC is beginning to acknowledge the truth about this condition." 

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