Bulwark Takes Sen. Cassidy Said RFK Jr. Would Not Change Autism Guidance. Now What?
Nov 21, 2025
Jonathan Cohn, a noted journalist and policy analyst, delves into the recent CDC changes regarding vaccines and autism. He explains the critical implications of the wording update and reviews the scientific consensus that debunks the vaccine-autism link. Cohn also explores alternative explanations for rising autism diagnoses and warns against the erosion of public trust due to political interference in health agencies. The conversation highlights the need for transparent communication to regain confidence in scientific authority.
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CDC Website Rewording Contradicts Consensus
- The CDC changed its website to suggest studies haven't definitively ruled out vaccine-autism links despite broad scientific consensus against a link.
- Jonathan Cohn emphasizes extensive research has repeatedly found no causal connection between vaccines and autism.
Multiple Vaccine Theories Have Been Studied
- Multiple hypotheses (thimerosal, aluminum, vaccine load) were studied and repeatedly rejected as causes of autism.
- Jonathan Cohn notes genetics and parental age are more plausible factors under active investigation.
Defend Scientific Integrity In Agencies
- Treat CDC and similar agencies as trusted sources but scrutinize changes that depart from established evidence.
- Watch for political interference in public-health messaging and push career scientists to speak out when integrity is compromised.