CDC adopts Robert F. Kennedy’s anti-vaccine views on autism web site

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A U.S. Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention (CDC) web site has been modified to contradict the longtime scientific conclusion that vaccines don't trigger autism, spurring outrage amongst quite a lot of public well being and autism consultants.

The CDC "vaccine security" webpage was up to date on Wednesday, saying "the assertion 'Vaccines don't trigger autism' just isn't an evidence-based declare."

The change is the newest transfer by the U.S. Division of Well being and Human Companies to revisit — and foster uncertainty about — long-held scientific consensus in regards to the security of vaccines and different pharmaceutical merchandise.

It was instantly decried by scientists and advocates who've lengthy been centered on discovering the causes of autism.

"We're appalled to seek out that the content material on the CDC webpage 'Autism and Vaccines' has been modified and distorted, and is now full of anti-vaccine rhetoric and outright lies about vaccines and autism," the Autism Science Basis stated in a press release Thursday.

Widespread scientific consensus and a long time of research have firmly concluded there is no such thing as a hyperlink between vaccines and autism.

"The conclusion is obvious and unambiguous," stated Dr. Susan Kressly, president of the American Academy of Pediatrics, in a press release Thursday.

"We name on the CDC to cease losing authorities sources to amplify false claims that sow doubt in top-of-the-line instruments we have now to maintain youngsters wholesome and thriving: routine immunizations."

The CDC has, till now, echoed the absence of a hyperlink in selling Meals and Drug Administration-licensed vaccines.

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There was instant pushback from medical consultants and a serious drug producer after U.S. President Donald Trump stated with out proof that pregnant ladies shouldn’t take acetaminophen as a result of it may well trigger autism. However anti-vaccine activists — together with Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who this yr turned secretary of Well being and Human Companies — have lengthy claimed there may be one.

It is unclear if anybody at CDC was really concerned within the change, or whether or not it was achieved by Kennedy's HHS, which oversees the CDC.

Many at CDC have been shocked.

"I spoke with a number of scientists at CDC yesterday and none have been conscious of this alteration in content material," stated Dr. Debra Houry, who was a part of a bunch of CDC prime officers who resigned from the company in August. "When scientists are minimize out of scientific evaluations, then inaccurate and ideologic info outcomes."

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"HHS has launched a complete evaluation of the causes of autism, together with investigations on believable biologic mechanisms and potential causal hyperlinks. Moreover, we're updating the CDC's web site to replicate gold customary, evidence-based science," stated HHS spokesperson Andrew Nixon in an electronic mail Thursday.

A variety of former CDC officers have stated that what CDC posts about sure topics — together with vaccine security — can not be trusted.

Dr. Daniel Jernigan, who additionally resigned from the company in August, informed reporters Wednesday that Kennedy appears to be "going from evidence-based resolution making to decision-based proof making."