CDC receives backlash from RI for new stance on vaccines and autism

Alana M. Carroll

Art Director

Image taken by anchor newspaper staff

The Center for Disease Control has updated its website and reignited speculation surrounding autism spectrum disorder and childhood vaccines. The section on “vaccines and autism,” which previously stated that there was no link, now states that there is not enough evidence to prove that childhood vaccinations do not cause the developmental disability.

“‘Vaccines do not cause autism’ is not an evidence-based claim,” the webpage states, updated on Nov 19th. “Scientific studies have not ruled out the possibility that infant vaccines contribute to the development of autism.” The Secretary for the Department of Health, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., was outspoken about his involvement with the change.

The change received backlash from several health departments, including the Rhode Island Department of Health, which released a statement two days later. The rhetoric mirrors a dramatic rise in vaccine skepticism among Americans following the COVID-19 pandemic, leaving many professionals afraid of the impact it may have on already decreasing childhood vaccination rates.

“There is absolutely no evidence that vaccines cause autism,” emphasized RI Department of Health director, Jerome “Jerry” Larkin, MD. “Decades of scientific research do not suggest any association between autism and vaccines. Any suggestion otherwise is irresponsible and dangerous.” Larkin stressed the importance of vaccinations in keeping children safe and healthy and advised anybody with hesitancy surrounding vaccinations to speak with their primary care provider. 

Rhode Island leads the nation only behind Massachusetts in its childhood vaccination rate, with over 95 percent of RI schoolchildren having received the necessary vaccinations to attend public school according to federal data. There has been a slight drop, with 96.7 percent of RI kindergarteners fully immunized with the MMR vaccine against measles, mumps and rubella in 2025, compared to 97.7 percent during the 2019-20 school year. Furthermore, non-medical exemptions for vaccinations, including religious exemptions, have nearly doubled since 2020, from 0.9 percent of RI kindergarteners to 1.7 percent.

Autistic students at RIC also voiced their dissatisfaction in response to the claims from the White House.

“I was completely appalled. I read the original study connecting vaccines and autism and anybody who knows anything about anything knows that it's complete BS from a scientific standpoint,” shared Nolan Soares, a junior with autism spectrum disorder. 

The original study in question was a debunked research paper released in 1998 which was subsequently retracted in 2010. The study was found to be biased and misleading, with Wakefield’s funding from lawyers for clients who were pursuing lawsuits against pharmaceutical manufacturers. No subsequent studies have been released that suggest a credible link between childhood vaccination and autism. 

Soales worried that, instead of speaking with autistic adults or other professionals, many would listen to RFK Jr., who does not have a medical license, solely because of the CDC’s reputation as a trustworthy organization. “I believe RIDOH or any other departments should make official statements throwing away the CDC's misinfo. It is incredibly harmful and hearing an official organization say it will make some people listen.”

Pierce Abosso, an autistic senior and a social work major, had similar concerns.

“Well, it's definitely shocking,” he shared. “The CDC should be the ones reliable for resources among people's health, not spreading rumors among a specific population. … I think that both the Rhode Island Department of Health and RIC should assure their citizens that autism is not caused by vaccines.”

Both Abosso and Soales emphasized the importance of fact checking misinformation and hope for RIC and the RI Department of Health to continue educating the public that autism is not caused by childhood vaccinations.

The Anchor has reached out to the Unity Center, the Center for Disability Access, the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and the Office of Health Services and are awaiting comments.