Science over Stigma: An Urgent Call to Action

Today, Mr. Kennedy, in a continued attempt to advance his misinformed and biased agenda on autism, altered the official CDC guidance on vaccines and autism despite the hundreds of studies published across decades, involving millions of people, that affirm vaccine safety. He acted in a time when belief and thoughts are superior to fact and evidence, simply because he feels there’s a connection—a classic post hoc ergo propter hoc fallacy.

As a result, the medical establishment responded with immediate alarm. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) issued a stark condemnation, with President Dr. Susan Kressly stating, "The conclusion is clear and unambiguous: There’s no link between vaccines and autism. Anyone repeating this harmful myth is misinformed or intentionally trying to mislead parents."

While the medical establishment has responded, the harm needlessly continues to be done. Aside from the absolute hubris of the action, the real danger is that parents, terrified of "giving their kids autism," will stop vaccinating. With America already on the brink of losing its measles-free designation, the results will be catastrophic.

Critically, this narrative perpetuates a profound stigma against autistic people. By officially positioning autism as a "vaccine injury," the administration frames neurodivergence as a tragedy to be avoided at all costs. This validates the horrific idea that risking a child's death from a preventable disease is preferable to having an autistic child. Such rhetoric dehumanizes us, viewing autistic people as "damaged" rather than human beings deserving acceptance. It empowers those pushing dangerous "cures" and makes society increasingly hostile for those of us who simply want to exist safely as we are.

This must stop. We must fight back. Silence is complicity. And we aren’t an scourge to avoided. Contact your Senators and Representatives (202-224-3121) and the CDC immediately. Tell them you demand science-based public health policy. Tell them that using autistic people as scare tactics is unacceptable. Support organizations like the Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN) that are fighting this rhetoric on the ground. We cannot let accurate science be erased by political hubris.