NEW YORK (AP) — A recent update to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) vaccine safety webpage has provoked outrage among public health experts and autism advocates. The revised page now states that the long-standing assertion 'Vaccines do not cause autism' is not an evidence-based claim, signaling a departure from decades of scientific consensus.
The change is seen as part of an agenda by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to reevaluate and cast doubt on the safety of vaccines and other pharmaceutical products. Critics, including the Autism Science Foundation, have condemned the CDC for disseminating what they describe as anti-vaccine rhetoric that contradicts established scientific findings.
Dr. Susan Kressly, president of the American Academy of Pediatrics, emphasized the overwhelming consensus among scientists regarding the safety of vaccinations, stating, 'The conclusion is clear and unambiguous.' This sentiment is echoed by numerous studies that have repeatedly underscored a lack of association between vaccines and autism.
The motivations behind the CDC update remain unclear. While it is suspected that the influence of Kennedy, a known proponent of vaccine skepticism, plays a role, many CDC officials expressed surprise at the changes to the site, indicating a disconnect between the agency's scientists and leadership decisions.
Dr. Debra Houry, who resigned from the CDC earlier this year, remarked that the scientific community was not informed of this adjustment, which raises concerns about the accuracy and credibility of the information being shared with the public. The new language does not reference any new scientific findings; instead, it appears to undermine previous research not aligned with current claims.
In response to these developments, HHS officials assert they are undertaking a comprehensive assessment of autism and related links to potential vaccine effects. This response continues to face skepticism from the scientific community, with previous CDC officials warning that trust in the agency's postings, especially concerning vaccine safety, has seriously eroded.
Despite the updated content, the site retains a prominent statement affirming that 'Vaccines do not cause autism,' though it has been footnoted with an asterisk, implying further controversy and discussion about vaccine perceptions may continue.
