By Zachary Stieber
The American Academy of Pediatrics and 45 other organizations on Nov. 20 said the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention should reverse its position on autism and vaccines.
“Our organizations, representing autistic individuals, their families, medical professionals and public health workers, are alarmed that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is promoting the outdated, disproven idea that vaccines cause autism,” the organizations said in a joint statement.
“Medical researchers across the globe have spent more than 25 years thoroughly studying this claim. All have come to the same conclusion: Vaccines are not linked to autism.”
The groups called on the CDC to reverse its recent update to its website, which stated that vaccines may cause autism and that officials are investigating the possible link.
While some studies have found no association between vaccines and autism, others have concluded there may be a link, including a 2006 paper that found parents of children with autism believed immunizations caused the disorder, and a 2011 paper that determined only a few environmental factors, such as aluminum in vaccines, have risen in the same period of time as the spike in autism diagnoses.
“Correlation does not prove causation, but it does merit further study,” the CDC said in its update. It also said the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the CDC’s parent agency, would be studying the matter.
A spokeswoman for the American Academy of Pediatrics, which partners with vaccine manufacturers, did not respond when asked whether the group has reviewed papers suggesting a possible link between vaccines and autism.
Many of the groups, including the Infectious Diseases Society of America, have in the past called for the resignation of Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., alleging he has mishandled work on food safety, chronic diseases, and vaccination.
The update on autism and vaccines was a complete reversal of the CDC’s previous position. The CDC had said prior to this week that there was no association.
Asked for a response to critics, Andrew Nixon, communications director for HHS, told The Epoch Times in an email that the update was common sense and aligned with a commitment to being transparent and “gold standard” science.
“As the updated page explains, the claim that ‘vaccines do not cause autism’ is not supported by comprehensive evidence, as studies to date have not definitively ruled out potential associations. Some research suggesting possible biologic mechanisms has been ignored or dismissed by public health agencies, and HHS is committed to finding a definitive answer,” Nixon said.
Some other organizations have praised the reversal. “This is a critical update and step toward transparency and truly informed consent for patients,” the Independent Medical Alliance wrote on X.
The CDC maintained the header “vaccines do not cause autism” under an agreement with Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.), a doctor who has taken donations from pharmaceutical companies and has repeatedly promoted vaccination.
“I’m a doctor who has seen people die from vaccine-preventable diseases. What parents need to hear right now is vaccines for measles, polio, hepatitis B and other childhood diseases are safe and effective and will not cause autism,” Cassidy said on X on Thursday. “Any statement to the contrary is wrong, irresponsible, and actively makes Americans sicker.”
He said that vaccines definitely do not cause autism, but that it’s imperative to figure out the true causes of the disorder.
