Healthcare associations are raising concerns after the CDC this week removed messaging from its website stating that vaccines do not cause autism.
The agency updated its webpage on vaccines and autism Nov. 19. Previously, the page said research has shown “no link between receiving vaccines and developing autism spectrum disorder,” according to The New York Times.
The webpage now states: “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 page also claims that health authorities have ignored studies supporting a link between vaccines and autism.
American Academy of Pediatrics President Susan Kressly, MD, criticized the change in a Nov. 20 statement, accusing the CDC of promoting false information. She noted that more than 40 high-quality studies have been performed involving more than 5.6 million people that show no link between vaccines and autism.
“Anyone repeating this harmful myth is misinformed or intentionally trying to mislead parents,” Dr. Kressly 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.”
The leaders of the Infectious Diseases Society of America, HIV Medicine Association, Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America and the Society of Infectious Diseases Pharmacists issued a joint statement Nov. 20 condemning the CDC’s move.
The groups called the CDC update “reckless and harmful,” arguing it will “only serve to increase mistrust in science and medicine.” They also said vaccine misinformation can have significant consequences to public health, pointing to the ongoing measles outbreak, which is threatening the disease’s elimination status in the U.S.
