RFK Jr. Directs CDC to Alter Vaccine Guidance on Autism

In a recent interview with *The New York Times*, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. revealed that he personally directed the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to revise its guidance on vaccines and autism. This directive resulted in the agency’s website contradicting its long-standing assertion that vaccines do not cause autism. The updated guidance, published on Wednesday, has raised concerns among health professionals and researchers who view it as a departure from established scientific consensus.

Kennedy’s comments provide insight into the motivations behind the change, particularly as many current and former CDC staff members expressed surprise at the new messaging. The CDC’s updated “vaccine safety” page now states that the claim “vaccines do not cause autism” is not evidence-based, as it does not rule out the possibility of a link between infant vaccines and autism spectrum disorder. The page further suggests that health officials have overlooked studies indicating a potential connection.

Public health advocates have strongly criticized the CDC’s revised guidance, arguing that it misleads the public by suggesting that the scientific community has ignored thorough investigations into the relationship between vaccines and autism. According to the Autism Science Foundation, “No environmental factor has been better studied as a potential cause of autism than vaccines.” The foundation emphasizes that extensive research has consistently found no link between vaccination and autism.

In his interview, Kennedy acknowledged the existence of studies showing no correlation between vaccines and autism, including research on the mercury-based preservative thimerosal and the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. Despite this, he contended that there are gaps in vaccine safety science that warrant further investigation.

The decision to alter the CDC’s website has sparked a disagreement between Kennedy and Sen. Bill Cassidy, a physician and Republican senator from Louisiana who chairs the Senate health committee. During his confirmation process, Kennedy assured Cassidy that he would maintain the statement affirming that vaccines do not cause autism. While that statement remains on the CDC website, it now includes a disclaimer noting that it was retained as part of their agreement. Cassidy has publicly expressed his disagreement with the updated guidance, asserting that “vaccines for measles, polio, hepatitis B and other childhood diseases are safe and effective and will not cause autism.” He described any contrary statement as “wrong, irresponsible, and actively makes Americans sicker.”

Kennedy’s actions as health secretary have raised alarms regarding the future of immunization policies in the United States. He has recently withdrawn $500 million earmarked for vaccine development, replaced all members of a federal vaccine advisory committee, and pledged to revamp the federal program that compensates individuals injured by vaccines. His leadership style has even led to the dismissal of former CDC Director Susan Monarez less than a month into her tenure, following disagreements over vaccine policy.

Dr. Sean O’Leary, head of the infectious diseases committee at the American Academy of Pediatrics, criticized the CDC’s website update during a press briefing, stating, “This is madness. Vaccines do not cause autism, and unfortunately, we can no longer trust health-related information coming from our government.”

The Department of Health and Human Services, which oversees the CDC, did not provide Kennedy for an interview with *The Associated Press* and did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding the recent changes. The evolving narrative surrounding vaccines and autism continues to generate significant debate and concern among health professionals and the public alike.