The Highwire with Del Bigtree CDC WALKS BACK DECADES-OLD CLAIM “VACCINES DO NOT CAUSE AUTISM”
Nov 27, 2025
Aaron Siri, an attorney and lead counsel for the Informed Consent Action Network (ICAN), joins the discussion about the CDC's recent reversal on the claim that vaccines do not cause autism. The conversation dives into Siri's extensive legal work that challenged the CDC’s position through FOIA requests and lawsuits. They explore the limited studies previously cited by the CDC, the implications of lacking direct evidence for infant vaccines, and the urgent need for more research into the autism-vaccine link. Siri stresses the importance of transparency and robust scientific inquiry.
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CDC's Blanket Claim Lacked Infant-Vaccine Evidence
- Del Bigtree and Aaron Siri showed the CDC's blanket claim "vaccines do not cause autism" lacked direct supporting studies for vaccines given in the first six months of life.
- The CDC's public statement was based on a small set of studies (mostly MMR and thimerosal), not comprehensive evidence for all infant vaccines.
Court-Ordered List Revealed Gaps
- Aaron Siri described forcing the CDC to produce a stipulated list of 20 studies via FOIA and federal court order.
- Most of those 20 studies did not address the vaccines given in the first six months of life.
CDC Website Language Was Reversed
- The CDC later revised its website language to say "the claim vaccines do not cause autism is not an evidence-based claim."
- The new page also notes studies haven't ruled out infant vaccines as a contributing factor.
