Concerns Emerge Over CDC's New "Vaccines and Autism" Page

A recent addition to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website titled “Vaccines and Autism” has sparked significant concern among agency employees. The page contradicts previous CDC guidance by stating, “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.” This assertion aligns with narratives promoted by anti-vaccine activists, including Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

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Several CDC staff members, who spoke on the condition of anonymity due to fear of retaliation, expressed their shock and dismay at the misinformation presented on the new page. One employee described the situation as “horrifying, it’s embarrassing, it’s scary, it’s heartbreaking.” Another staffer noted, “To see our agency being used to spread lies and misinformation is a gut punch.” Concerns were raised about the lack of prior notification regarding the page's publication, with some employees questioning whether it underwent the agency's standard vetting processes.

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The introduction of the “Vaccines and Autism” page is part of a broader context of declining morale within the CDC. Employees cited the appointment of Kennedy, layoffs, and a recent government shutdown as contributing factors to their dissatisfaction. One staff member remarked, “I think people are starting to see that we can’t fulfill our mission here,” reflecting a growing sentiment among employees that the agency is struggling to maintain its public health objectives.

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Internal communications revealed that department supervisors believe the updates to the website may not be originating from CDC staff but rather from higher-ups at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). This has led to further confusion and frustration among employees, who feel that their expertise is being undermined.

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In an internal memo, HHS leadership outlined 16 “strategic initiatives” aimed at revitalizing the CDC workforce and enhancing scientific rigor. However, employees expressed skepticism about these initiatives, particularly in light of the recent changes to public-facing webpages that did not adhere to established clearance guidelines.

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Despite the turmoil, many CDC employees maintain their commitment to public health. A staff member from the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion emphasized that the majority of CDC employees continue to support established scientific consensus. However, they acknowledged the challenge for the public in distinguishing between politicized messaging and reliable health information.

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While the CDC staffers largely agree on the detrimental impact of the new webpage, there is a lack of clarity regarding the processes that led to its publication. Employees have voiced concerns about the transparency of the agency's operations, particularly regarding the influence of political appointees on public health messaging.

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• “It’s horrifying, it’s embarrassing, it’s scary, it’s heartbreaking—it’s all of those things,” — CDC Staffer, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Disease

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• “To see our agency being used to spread lies and misinformation is a gut punch,” — CDC Communicator

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• “I think people are starting to see that we can’t fulfill our mission here, like it’s becoming more and more clear and loud and unavoidable with each day.” — CDC Staffer

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• “It’s really easy from inside the agency to know what is real information and what has just been added there for political reasons,” — CDC Longtime Communications Staffer

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