An Illinois agency responded to changes on the CDC website, or what they called “unfounded claims on vaccines and autism.”
The CDC “vaccine safety” webpage was updated on Nov. 19, saying “the statement ‘Vaccines do not cause autism’ is not an evidence-based claim,” according to a report from the Associated Press.
Looking at the webpage, the sentence is listed under the Key Points, reading in full that “The claim ‘vaccines do not cause autism’ is not an evidence-based claim because studies have not ruled out the possibility that infant vaccines cause autism.”
Illinois’ Department of Public Health Director, Dr. Sameer Vohra made a statement in response to the change in a news release. The release said that “numerous studies have shown there is no link between the two (vaccines and autism), and suggesting otherwise only creates unnecessary fear and mistrust,” adding that vaccines are safe and effective protection against serious, preventable illnesses.
Vohra wrote the following: “In Illinois, we follow scientific evidence, and the science is clear: vaccines are safe, effective, and save lives. Unfortunately, the nation is seeing our federal government, once again, reject established research and cause confusion about long debunked claims between autism and vaccines.”
He added that “disinformation not only undermines trust; it may discourage families from seeking the protection that routine immunizations provide. It also perpetuates harmful stigma against individuals with autism and their families, while doing nothing to advance scientific understanding. People with autism are valued members of our communities, and they deserve our respect.”
Vohra encouraged people seeking information about vaccines to visit the IDPH Immunization page or to ask their healthcare provider.
Tom Ackerman covers breaking news and trending news along with general news for the Springfield State Journal-Register. He can be reached at tackerman@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: Illinois official bucks CDC site change about vaccines, autism
Reporting by Tom Ackerman, Springfield State Journal-Register / State Journal-Register
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