Archive · 22 Nov 2025
RFK Jr. Claims He Ordered CDC to Reword Vaccine-Autism Stance
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary, said he told the CDC to change its statement about vaccines not causing autism because there haven't been enough good studies to prove this.
The CDC then updated its website to say it can't prove vaccines don't cause autism.
Kennedy said he did this because of gaps in vaccine safety research, but some studies have found no link between certain vaccines and autism.
CDC staff are reportedly worried about these changes.
CDC updated its website, stating 'vaccines do not cause autism' is not evidence-based
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. claims he ordered this change due to gaps in vaccine safety studies
CDC previously stated there was no link between vaccines and autism
Kennedy acknowledged some studies found no link between specific vaccines and autism
CDC staff reportedly worried and upset about recent vaccine-related developments
- Who
- Robert F. Kennedy Jr., CDC, CDC staff
- What
- Ordered/updated CDC's vaccine-autism statement
- When
- Recently, with CDC update on Thursday
- Where
- United States
- Why
- Due to gaps in vaccine safety studies, according to Kennedy; to provide accurate information, according to CDC
Pro-vaccine advocates
Anti-vaccine advocates
Vaccine-autism link
Pro-vaccine advocates
Maintains vaccines do not cause autism, based on available evidence
Anti-vaccine advocates
Believes vaccines may cause autism, citing gaps in safety studies
- CDC's Previous Stance
- Vaccines do not cause autism
- CDC's Updated Stance
- Studies have not ruled out vaccines causing autism
- Kennedy's Reason for Change
- Gaps in vaccine safety science
- Kennedy's Acknowledgment
- Some studies found no link between specific vaccines and autism
- CDC Staff's Reaction
- Worried and upset