Reworked Page Alarms Experts Quickly
The CDC updated key wording on its website Wednesday, adding language that questions long-established vaccine science. The new phrasing suggests researchers have not fully dismissed a possible link between vaccines and autism. Experts warn the shift distorts decades of evidence and risks confusing families.
Wording Plants Doubt in Clear Science
The revised text claims the statement “vaccines do not cause autism” is not evidence-based because studies cannot test every scenario. Specialists say this tactic manufactures uncertainty. Alison Singer of the Autism Science Foundation says science cannot prove an absolute negative. She explains that strong 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 undergone deeper examination than vaccines and their components.
Doctors Challenge the New Claims
Pediatrician Paul Offit strongly rejects the CDC’s new phrasing. He says such logic could cast suspicion on ordinary foods or daily routines. A federal health spokesperson says the agency intends to align the site with the strongest available evidence.
A senior FDA commissioner recently told Sanjay Gupta that he does not believe vaccines cause autism. He says no medical product is totally risk-free and warns that extreme language fuels mistrust.
Extensive Research Shows No Link
The updated CDC page asserts that studies supporting a link have been ignored. This is untrue. Research suggesting a connection was flawed or fraudulent. Many robust studies show no relationship.
A 2019 Danish study tracked more than 650,000 children. About 6,500 later received autism diagnoses. Researchers found no difference in autism rates between vaccinated and unvaccinated groups. This held across backgrounds, family histories, and other vaccines. The authors concluded the MMR vaccine does not increase autism risk.
The revised CDC page omits this major study. It highlights older reviews and questions about aluminum. A 2025 Danish study found no link between aluminum in childhood vaccines and 50 medical conditions, including autism. The updated page still calls for further investigation.
The site also cites a government review of autism causes. Singer says this effort diverts money from strong genetic research that explains most cases.
The main heading still says “Vaccines do not cause autism.” A footnote says it stays 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 clear guidance and stresses that childhood vaccines remain safe and do not cause autism.
Scientists Warn of Rising Health Risks
Vaccine expert Peter Hotez says the revised page repeats claims rejected many times. He points to past misinformation about MMR vaccines, thimerosal, and aluminum. He calls the updates dangerous and urges immediate removal.
A former CDC immunization director wrote that the changes are “a national embarrassment.” He says agency staff were blindsided and warns that such moves erode trust. Pediatric specialists fear further drops in vaccination rates.
Political Influence Appears Central
The revisions reflect broader efforts by the administration to challenge long-standing vaccine policy. The health secretary has hired advisers known for opposing vaccines. Some have faced sanctions or criticism for flawed or unethical research. They now analyze government data to support claims of hidden vaccine risks.
Routine childhood vaccinations continue to decline nationwide. Outbreaks of measles and whooping cough are rising. CDC disease experts warned this week that the United States may soon lose its status as a nation free of continuous measles transmission.
