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By Jesus Mesa and Gabe Whisnant
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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is moving forward with a study examining potential connections between vaccines and autism, according to multiple reports.
Newsweek reached out to the CDC and the Department of Health and Human Services for comment on Friday.
Why It Matters
The announcement has raised questions, given the extensive scientific research that has consistently found no link between vaccines and autism. Yet, despite overwhelming evidence debunking the claim, skepticism persists, fueled in part by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
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It also comes amid a resurgence of measles cases in the United States, with more than 150 cases and two deaths reported in Texas and New Mexico.
The measles vaccination rate among kindergartners nationally has fallen since 2019, from approximately 95 percent of children receiving a two-dose MMR coverage to 92.7 percent, according to the CDC. In some states, the rate is as low as 79.6 percent. The number of jurisdictions that have struggled to secure more than 95 percent vaccination coverage among kindergartners has grown yearly since 2020.
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What To Know
As head of the HHS, Kennedy oversees the CDC, an agency at the forefront of public health policy. His influence is especially significant given his history of questioning the safety of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine—a stance that has contributed to growing vaccine hesitancy.
During a recent Cabinet meeting, Kennedy downplayed the severity of the measles outbreak, calling it an "ordinary" occurrence. He reiterated his stance in an opinion piece for Fox News, urging parents to consult their doctors about vaccinations but emphasizing that the choice ultimately rests with them.
His remarks have added to the growing political weight of the vaccine debate, which took on new significance on Tuesday when President Donald Trump referenced rising autism rates in a congressional address.
"So, we're going to find out what it is, and there's nobody better than Bobby and all of the people that are working with you," Trump said, referring to Kennedy.
The claim that vaccines cause autism first gained traction in the 1990s after British researcher Andrew Wakefield published a since-debunked study linking the MMR vaccine to autism. His research was later retracted, and he lost his medical license over ethical violations. Despite this, high-profile figures like Kennedy have continued to amplify doubts about vaccine safety, keeping skepticism alive.
What People Are Saying
HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., in his Fox News op-ed: "The measles outbreak in Texas is a call to action for all of us to reaffirm our commitment to public health. By working together -- parents, healthcare providers, community leaders, and government officials, we can prevent future outbreaks and protect the health of our nation. Under my leadership, HHS is and will always be committed to radical transparency to regain the public's trust in its health agencies."
David Fishman, a physician and professor of epidemiology at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health, previously told Newsweek: "It's highly likely given the fall-off in vaccination rates, the proliferation of anti-vax disinformation, and the apparent disassembly of a lot of federal public health capacity in the U.S. over the past month, that this outbreak will grow, and that we'll see similar outbreaks elsewhere in Texas and in the U.S."
What Happens Next
Questions remain about the CDC's upcoming study. It is unclear whether Kennedy is directly involved or how the research will be conducted.
Update 3/7/25, 11:57 a.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.
Update 3/7/25, 1:39 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.
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