Healthy debate: NY health officials reject CDC autism/vaccine shift

Published: Friday, November 21, 2025 at 6:23 pm

NY Health Officials Condemn CDC's Stance on Vaccines and Autism

New York State health officials are strongly criticizing a recent update to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website regarding vaccines and autism. The state's Health Commissioner, Dr. James McDonald, and the Office for People With Developmental Disabilities Commissioner Willow Baer, issued a joint statement calling the new CDC position "inconsistent with decades of scientific evidence." The CDC's updated webpage suggests that the claim "vaccines do not cause autism" is not fully supported by evidence, stating that studies have "not ruled out the possibility that infant vaccines cause autism."

The CDC's position cites studies from the Institute of Medicine and the Health and Human Services Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, which concluded there was "insufficient evidence to accept or reject a causal relationship" between autism and common infant vaccines. The CDC is also funding studies on infant vaccines and autism, including an evaluation of "plausible biologic mechanisms" like aluminum in some vaccines.

In response, the New York-based Autism Science Foundation (ASF) and the nonprofit organization Lets Get Immunized New York have voiced strong opposition. The ASF argues that the CDC's new page promotes anti-vaccine rhetoric and contradicts established scientific findings. They cite a body of evidence confirming that Autism Spectrum Disorder has a strong genetic component, with other factors including premature birth, older parents, and exposure to air pollution during pregnancy.

The CDC's update aligns with the goals of the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement, led by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. A recent survey indicates that parents aligned with the MAHA movement are more likely to doubt vaccines and trust RFK's views on public health policy. These parents are also more likely to skip or delay childhood vaccines and express concerns about the number of recommended vaccines.

BNN's Perspective:

This situation highlights the ongoing tension between scientific consensus and public perception, particularly regarding vaccine safety. While the CDC's updated language may be intended to promote transparency and further research, it risks fueling vaccine hesitancy. It is crucial for health officials to communicate clearly and consistently, emphasizing the overwhelming scientific evidence supporting the safety and efficacy of vaccines while addressing legitimate concerns with factual information.

Keywords: CDC, vaccines, autism, MAHA, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., vaccine hesitancy, scientific evidence, infant vaccines, Autism Spectrum Disorder, New York, Health Commissioner, aluminum, MMR vaccine, public health, Data Quality Act

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