Website Shift Sparks Immediate Alarm
The CDC revised major parts of its website on Wednesday, adding wording that questions long-settled research on vaccine safety. The updated language implies scientists have not fully ruled out a link between vaccines and autism. Experts warn that this framing distorts strong evidence and risks confusing parents.
Edited Text Creates False Uncertainty
The new page argues that saying “vaccines do not cause autism” is not evidence-based because studies cannot examine every possible scenario. Specialists say this tactic introduces artificial doubt. Alison Singer of the Autism Science Foundation explains that science cannot prove an absolute negative. She says clear conclusions come from consistent findings across many studies.
Singer stresses that overwhelming research shows vaccines do not cause autism. Her foundation notes that no environmental factor has been studied more deeply than vaccines and their components.
Medical Leaders Dismiss the New Claims
Pediatrician Paul Offit strongly criticizes the CDC’s updated wording. He says the logic could cast suspicion on ordinary foods or common habits. A federal health spokesperson says the final wording will reflect the strongest science available.
A senior FDA commissioner recently told Sanjay Gupta that he does not believe vaccines cause autism. He says no medical product is completely risk-free and warns that absolute rhetoric erodes public trust.
Broad Studies Find No Connection
The revised CDC page claims research supporting a link has been ignored. This is inaccurate. Studies proposing a connection were flawed or fraudulent. Many well-designed studies show no relationship.
A major Danish study in 2019 followed more than 650,000 children. Roughly 6,500 received autism diagnoses. Researchers found no difference in autism rates between vaccinated and unvaccinated children. This result held across family histories, backgrounds, and other vaccine exposures. The authors concluded the MMR vaccine does not increase autism risk.
The updated CDC page omits this landmark study. It highlights older reviews and raises questions about aluminum in vaccines. A 2025 Danish study found no link between aluminum in childhood vaccines and 50 medical conditions, including autism. The revised page still calls for further investigation.
The site also mentions a government review of autism causes. Singer calls this a misuse of resources and says strong genetic evidence already explains most cases.
The main heading still states “Vaccines do not cause autism.” A footnote says it remains due to an agreement made during the health secretary’s confirmation.
A senator later confirmed discussing the issue with the secretary. He says families need straightforward, trusted information and stresses that childhood vaccines remain safe and do not cause autism.
Experts Warn of Deepening Public Health Threats
Vaccine scientist Peter Hotez says the revised page repeats claims that have been disproven many times. He cites past misinformation about MMR vaccines, thimerosal, and aluminum. He calls the new content dangerous and urges its quick removal.
A former CDC immunization director wrote that the changes are “a national embarrassment.” He says agency staff were blindsided and warns that moves like this erode trust. Pediatric experts fear further declines in vaccination rates.
Political Pressure Drives the Rewrite
The revisions align with broader efforts by the administration to challenge established vaccine policy. The health secretary has hired advisers known for opposing vaccines. Some have faced sanctions or heavy criticism for flawed or unethical research. They now review federal data to support claims of hidden vaccine risks.
Routine childhood vaccination rates continue to fall across the country. Outbreaks of measles and whooping cough are rising sharply. CDC disease experts warned this week that the United States may soon lose its status as a nation free of continuous measles transmission.
