The Vaccine-Autism Myth Won’t Die

By Greg Collier

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is set to undertake yet another study on the supposed link between vaccines and autism, despite decades of rigorous research demonstrating no connection. This new effort, driven by the Trump administration’s emphasis on autism rates, has raised concerns within the scientific and medical communities. Many experts see it as an unnecessary revisitation of a long-settled issue, especially given the involvement of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has a history of promoting vaccine skepticism.

The claim that vaccines cause autism has its roots in a now thoroughly discredited study published in 1998 by Andrew Wakefield, a former British doctor. Wakefield’s paper, which appeared in The Lancet, suggested a connection between the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine and autism. However, the study was based on manipulated data, had a tiny sample size, and was later found to be fraudulent. The Lancet retracted the paper, and Wakefield lost his medical license. Subsequent large-scale studies, involving millions of children worldwide, have repeatedly found no causal link between vaccines and autism. Yet, the myth persists, in large part due to misinformation spread by figures like Kennedy.

Kennedy’s refusal to acknowledge the overwhelming body of evidence refuting this supposed link is concerning, especially given his role as head of HHS. His statements during his confirmation hearings and subsequent public remarks suggest an intent to continue promoting unsubstantiated claims about vaccines and other medical interventions. His assertion that autism rates have surged from “1 in 10,000” to “1 in 34” lacks a clear basis in evidence, with CDC data showing that the prevalence of autism in the year 2000 was 1 in 150, not 1 in 10,000.

The rise in autism diagnoses is often cited by vaccine skeptics as evidence of an epidemic caused by external factors, such as vaccines or medications. However, researchers have found that much of this increase is due to broader diagnostic criteria, improved awareness, and better screening. In the past, many children with autism were either undiagnosed or misdiagnosed with other conditions. Changes in the diagnostic manual (DSM) over the years have also expanded the definition of autism, allowing more individuals to receive the support and services they need.

While the causes of autism remain a complex and evolving field of study, scientific evidence continues to point toward genetic and environmental factors, not vaccines. Some risk factors include genetic mutations, older parental age, and complications during birth. Autism is a neurodevelopmental condition with a strong hereditary component, and researchers are still working to understand how genetic and environmental influences interact.

The Trump administration’s decision to push for a new CDC study on vaccines and autism raises concerns about the politicization of science. The CDC has already conducted extensive research on this topic, alongside numerous independent studies across the world. If the upcoming study is designed to cast doubt on established science rather than to genuinely advance medical knowledge, it risks further eroding public trust in vaccines, a development that could have dangerous public health consequences.

At a time when vaccine hesitancy is already a pressing issue, reopening a baseless debate could deter parents from vaccinating their children, leading to a resurgence of preventable diseases. The measles outbreak in Texas, which has already resulted in hospitalizations and the first U.S. measles death in nearly a decade, is a stark reminder of the dangers of declining vaccination rates. The scientific community will be watching closely to see whether this new CDC study is conducted with integrity, or if it serves as a political tool to validate long-debunked claims.