By Liza Tomczuk, MPH
Two research studies published in 1998 and 2002 were long ago declared to be bad science. Yet, they ignited skepticism about the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine and its role in the occurrence of autism in children. Both studies, led by Andrew Wakefield, were found to be flawed. The studies were problematic in their design, how they enrolled participants, their methods, and how the results were interpreted. Eventually, both studies were retracted (scrapped from the scientific record).
Although many studies have now disproven any link between vaccines and autism, the impact of Wakefield’s flawed studies from over twenty years ago are still felt today. And there is renewed interest in the topic since the President appointed a new Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) on February 13, 2025. At the direction of the new HHS Secretary, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently announced plans to conduct a large-scale study to re-examine the possibility of a connection between vaccines and autism. This is concerning because HHS has tasked a known vaccine skeptic with no medical degree who has been disciplined by the State of Maryland’s Board of Physicians for practicing medicine without a license to lead this study. On April 10th, the HHS Secretary announced during a televised Cabinet meeting that the cause of autism will be determined by September because of this study. Plans to conduct this study follow two events: reported increases in autism rates and a large measles outbreak originating in Texas.
A bit of background information may be useful. Reported rates of autism are nothing new. They have risen with every round of surveillance reporting since 2000. Increased awareness of autism and access to diagnostic services are the main reasons for the rise in autism diagnoses.
Vaccine hesitancy continues to be on the rise, in part due to false claims voiced by the current HHS Secretary and perpetuated by the anti-vaccination movement. Measles is a disease that was declared “eliminated” in the U.S. in 2000 following effective use of the MMR vaccine, but measles is again spreading at an alarming rate in areas with very low vaccination rates, such as West Texas. As of the writing of this post, the most recent measles outbreak has resulted in over 700 cases and two deaths, both of whom were unvaccinated children. How did this happen?
Given the rise in autism, the re-emergence of measles, and a renewed discussion of vaccination rates, there have been calls to investigate vaccines and autism once again. Unfortunately, this discussion is detrimental to autistic children and adults.
Allocating substantial financial and scientific effort to studying a de-bunked connection between vaccines and autism takes away essential funding and resources for diagnostic and support services intended to help autistic children and adults. Massive cuts to National Institute of Health (NIH) research grants, which accounts for 70% of total autism research funding in the U.S. (according to our internal calculations), have threatened the future of research. Research is critical as it informs improvements to interventions, policies, and programs that autistic people and others with disabilities need to live healthy and fulfilling lives.
The appointment of the current HHS Secretary and the resulting perpetuation of disproven myths about a connection between vaccines and autism are harmful to autism researchers, autistic people and their families. Identifying the cause of autism by September, five months from now, is not only unrealistic, but it places the narrative that something is “wrong” with people on the autism spectrum at the forefront of research conversations and efforts. Autism does not destroy families, as the HHS Secretary stated yesterday in a news conference. In fact, many autistic people view their autism as a large part of who they are and how they experience the world, not something that needs to be “cured.” Defunding and deprioritizing important research, services, and programs that benefit autistic individuals, however, causes great harm to families. In a society built for the able-bodied, neurotypical population, some autistic people may need additional supports to thrive physically, socially, and emotionally. With increasing autism diagnoses in the U.S., research focused on improving supports and policies must be prioritized and generously funded now more than ever.