On Tuesday, November 19, the CDC’s “Autism and Vaccines” webpage was updated with alarming new language stating that there is no evidence to support what decades of research has shown: “vaccines do not cause autism.” This update is reckless, dangerous, and false. It threatens to sow further public confusion, erode trust, and set back decades of progress to mitigate disease spread. Immunization is one of the most powerful, effective, and safe health interventions we have. Dozens of large-scale studies involving millions of children around the world have found no link between vaccines and autism. To dredge up settled science is to undermine the meticulous and rigorous scientific process that led researchers to this conclusion, and to sincerely disrespect the autism community by diverting attention and resources away from research and interventions that can support and improve the lives of people with autism.
Immunize Colorado stands with medical and public health experts and the autism community to condemn this action, urge federal leaders to restore reliance on scientific evidence, and stop politicizing our nation’s health:
American Academy of Pediatrics Statement
Autism Science Foundation Statement
Families for Vaccines Statement
Infectious Diseases Society of America Statement
Vaccinate Your Family Statement
Colorado Chooses Vaccines Statement:
Colorado Chooses Vaccines is deeply concerned by the recent changes to the CDCās Autism and Vaccines webpage, which now promotes the false claim that vaccines cause autism. This update is not based on scientific evidence. CDC career scientists did not initiate or endorse the change, and it contradicts more than three decades of research from the United States and around the worldāspanning millions of childrenāthat has consistently found the same thing: vaccines do not cause autism.
These changes come as both Colorado and the nation are experiencing an increase in vaccine-preventable diseases, including measles, pertussis, and influenza. Families need clear, reliable guidance to make informed decisionsāespecially about vaccines, which remain one of the most effective tools to protect children.
Coloradoās health professionals, public-health leaders, policymakers, and community organizations are working together to strengthen our immunization ecosystem and ensure families receive clear, evidence-based information. Colorado Chooses Vaccines was created to reinforce that work and help Coloradans navigate a rapidly changing federal vaccine landscape with confidence.
Colorado Chooses Vaccines stands with partners across the pediatric and autism communities, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Family Physicians, and the Autism Science Foundation, among others, in calling for federal agencies to immediately restore accurate, evidence-based information, so families can make informed decisions grounded in evidence.
For clear, trustworthy information, Coloradans can start with Immunize Coloradoās fact sheet and the parent-led Vaccinate Your Family/Autism Science Foundation guide on autism and vaccines.