Berliner Tageblatt - US health agency edits official website to reflect anti-vax views

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention late Wednesday revised its site with language that muddies its previous scientifically grounded position that immunizations do not cause the developmental disability autism.

Years of research demonstrate that there is no causal link between vaccinations and autism or other neurodevelopmental disorders.

But Robert F. Kennedy Jr, the US health secretary, has long voiced anti-vaccine rhetoric and inaccurate claims connecting the two -- and now has inserted his own views into official US advice.

The CDC webpage on vaccines and autism had previously stated that studies show "no link between receiving vaccines and developing autism spectrum disorder," citing a body of high-quality research including a 2013 study from the agency itself.

That text reflects medical and scientific consensus.

But the changes rebuke it. The website now repeats unfounded information that "the claim 'vaccines do not cause autism' is not an evidence-based claim because studies have not ruled out the possibility that infant vaccines cause autism."

The revised language accuses health authorities of having "ignored" research supporting a link and said the US health department "has launched a comprehensive assessment of the causes of autism."

The false theory linking the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine to autism stems from a flawed study published in 1998, which was retracted for including falsified data. Its results have not been replicated and are refuted by subsequent research.

- 'Do not trust this agency' -

The CDC website edits were met with anger, fear and concern by career scientists and other public health figures who have spent years combatting such false information.

"The weaponization of the voice of CDC is getting worse," said Demetre Daskalakis, the former director of the agency's arm focused on immunization and respiratory diseases, who resigned earlier this year in protest.

"This is a public health emergency," he said on X, saying the site was "updated to cause chaos without scientific basis."

"DO NOT TRUST THIS AGENCY."

Susan Kressly, president of American Academy of Pediatrics, said "we call on the CDC to stop wasting government resources to amplify false claims that sow doubt in one of the best tools we have to keep children healthy and thriving: routine immunizations."

Pointing to "40 high-quality studies," she said that "the conclusion is clear and unambiguous: There's no link between vaccines and autism."

The anti-vaccine advocacy group Children's Health Defense meanwhile praised the revisions. The organization's CEO Mary Holland said "thank you, Bobby" on X.

Kennedy is the founder and former chairman of the nonprofit.

Y.Bouchard--BTB