CDC replaces vaccines, autism website with false, misleading statements
US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, website On autism and vaccines, remove definitive statements that vaccines do not cause neurodevelopmental disorders and replace them with false and misleading information about links between vaccines and autism.
until wednesday CDC page, “Autism and Vaccines” began: “Studies have shown that there is no link between getting vaccinated and the development of autism spectrum disorder (ASD).”
This was followed by the clear statement in large print: “Vaccines do not cause autism.”
The rest of the page summarizes some of the CDC’s information own works None of the studies on autism and vaccine ingredients have found a causal link between the two.
On Wednesday, the page was changed to read: “The claim ‘Vaccines do not cause autism’ is not an evidence-based claim because research has not ruled out the possibility that infant vaccines cause autism.”
“Vaccines do not cause autism” still appears at the top, but there is an asterisk at the bottom that directs to a note.
“The headline ‘Vaccines do not cause autism’ was not removed due to an agreement with the chairman of the US Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee to remain on the CDC’s website,” the site stated.
The chairman of this committee is Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) cast the deciding vote to advance the appointment of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as secretary of Health and Human Services in exchange for Kennedy’s post. Promise not to betray the public’s trust in vaccines.
“Studies supporting a link have been ignored by health officials,” HHS spokesman Andrew Dixon said in an email. “We are updating the CDC’s website to reflect gold standard, evidence-based science.”
The news was met with outrage by scientists and advocates.
“We were appalled to see this content on the CDC’s website.”Autism and Vaccines“The CDC’s previous science and evidence-based website has been replaced with misinformation and now contradicts the best available science,” the nonprofit Autism Science Foundation said in a statement.
The current CDC page now says the increase in autism diagnoses is associated with an increase in the number of vaccines given to babies. Many researchers have argued that: Increase in autism spectrum disorder diagnoses It is better explained by an expanded diagnostic definition of the disorder and better monitoring and diagnosis for more children.
Cassidy’s office did not immediately respond to requests for comment Thursday.
