Vaccines and Autism: A Clash of Views

Wisconsin's health department has openly disagreed with the CDC's recent statements about vaccines and autism. This disagreement brings back an old, debunked idea that vaccines might cause autism.

Strong Criticism from Wisconsin's Health Leader

The health department's leader, Kirsten Johnson, strongly criticized the CDC for spreading false information. She said that the CDC's new stance is not just wrong but also dangerous.

CDC's Recent Change in Stance

The CDC recently changed its website to say that the claim "vaccines do not cause autism" is not backed by enough evidence. They said that some studies have not completely ruled out a possible link. However, many public health experts argue that these studies are flawed and have been discredited for years.

The Fraudulent Study

The most famous study linking vaccines to autism was found to be fraudulent and was retracted in 2010.

Johnson's Criticism

Johnson pointed out that the original studies suggesting a link were proven to be false. She also mentioned that many high-quality studies from around the world have found no connection between vaccines and autism. She criticized the CDC for spreading myths that could harm families, especially children.

CDC's Previous Stance

Before this change, the CDC's website clearly stated that there is no link between vaccines and autism. This change comes after Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a known vaccine skeptic, took a leading role in the CDC. He has been pushing for more research into the causes of autism and has dismissed recent reports on autism rates.

Autism Rates Increase

The CDC's report in April showed that autism rates have increased to one in 31 among 8-year-olds. The report suggested that this increase could be due to better diagnosis and identification methods. However, Kennedy disagreed with this conclusion and blamed the media for spreading what he calls "the myth of epidemic denial."

Kennedy's Controversial Statements

In September, Kennedy and President Trump held a press conference warning pregnant women not to take Tylenol, suggesting a link to autism. However, by October, Kennedy softened this message, saying there wasn't enough evidence to support the claim.

Outrage from Autistic Community

The ongoing debate has caused outrage among autistic people and advocates. They argue that such rhetoric increases stigma and causes harm. Erin Miller, a co-chair of a constituent advisory committee, said that negative talk from leaders affects the lives of autistic people. Johnson agreed, stating that parents and the autism community deserve accurate information.