The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has withdrawn a brief and controversial change to one of its autism information pages after it mistakenly included language implying a possible connection between childhood vaccines and autism. The claim-contradicting decades of established research-remained online for roughly a day before being taken down.
The incorrect statement appeared on the CDC’s “Facts About ASD” page, where a newly added paragraph suggested that some studies had pointed to “a potential link” between certain vaccinations and autism in a “small subset” of children. The passage also claimed that debate on the topic “continues within the scientific community.”
Public health experts quickly challenged the wording, noting that the scientific consensus is unequivocal: vaccines do not cause autism. The New York Times first reported the unexpected update, prompting swift public attention.
In a statement released Wednesday, the CDC described the added language as “unauthorized” and confirmed that the page had been restored to its accurate, long-standing version. The agency did not clarify who inserted the erroneous text or how it appeared on a federal public-health resource.
The episode drew immediate bipartisan criticism. Senator Bill Cassidy of Louisiana-a physician-denounced the change, emphasizing that misinformation can fuel vaccine hesitancy. “The science is settled,” Cassidy said. “Spreading inaccurate claims risks lowering vaccination rates and inviting the return of diseases we have already defeated.”
Massachusetts public health officials also issued a firm response. Dr. Robbie Goldstein, the state’s Public Health Commissioner, labeled the update “dangerous misinformation” and urged residents to rely on verified state and federal resources for accurate vaccine guidance.
The controversy underscores the challenges faced by health agencies in an era where misinformation spreads rapidly and public trust must be carefully maintained. Advocates say the incident highlights the importance of strict oversight of official health communications-especially on topics as sensitive and consequential as vaccine safety.
