NEW YORK – In response to a change in position from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on the relationship between vaccines and autism, medical experts are assuring parents that decades of research show no connection between the two.
After years of combating misinformation about vaccines and autism, the CDC changed course this week, publishing language on an “autism and vaccines” webpage that directly contradicts the position of medical professionals and autism experts.
The page, which previously stated that vaccines do not cause autism, was updated to read, “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.”
Additionally, the page states, “Studies supporting a link have been ignored by health authorities.”
The American Academy of Pediatrics, the largest professional association of pediatricians in the country, refutes the updated language.
“Since 1998, independent researchers across seven countries have conducted more than 40 high-quality studies involving over 5.6 million people,” said Susan J. Kressly, president of AAP, in a statement responding to the CDC’s position shift. “The conclusion is clear and unambiguous: There’s no link between vaccines and autism. Anyone repeating this harmful myth is misinformed or intentionally trying to mislead parents. The American Academy of Pediatrics stands with members of the autism community who have asked for support in stopping this rumor from spreading any further.”
The Autism Science Foundation also released a statement, saying in part, “The science is clear that vaccines do not cause autism. No environmental factor has been better studied as a potential cause of autism than vaccines. This includes vaccine ingredients as well as the body’s response to vaccines. All this research has determined that there is no link between autism and vaccines.”
Parents and families can find guidance and resources through the American Academy of Pediatrics.
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