During an April 16 press conference, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. made a number of false claims about autism, including repeatedly referring to an “autism epidemic” and claiming that autism is a preventable condition caused by environmental toxins. While Kennedy didn’t mention vaccines, his supporters used his comments to further spread the myth that vaccines cause autism. Many posts cited a recent CDC study finding that, in 2022, one in 31 children were diagnosed with autism. The study suggested that access to early evaluation and diagnosis resources—not environmental factors—influenced the rise in autism diagnoses. Several posts falsely claimed that California, which had the highest autism rates in the study, has the highest vaccination rates in the country. Other posts repeated the disproven claim that aluminum in vaccines causes autism.
Recommendation
Vaccine opponents are misusing a new CDC study about autism rates to promote the myth that vaccines cause autism. Messaging may emphasize that the study’s authors suggest improved access to early evaluation and diagnosis is a major driver of rising autism rates. Additionally, the study shows that some of the areas with the highest autism rates have the lowest childhood vaccination rates in the country. Debunking talking points may continue to highlight the decades of research showing vaccines don’t cause autism.
Fact-checking sources: PBS News, Autism Science Foundation
