AAP President Susan J. Kressly, M.D., FAAP, said any effort to misrepresent decades of research that has found no link between vaccines and autism “poses a threat to the health of children and our nation.” The statement was issued to the Washington Post, which reported that an anti-vaccine activist would lead a federal review of studies on the topic.
The Post reported March 25 that David A. Geier was hired by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to analyze data from previous studies on vaccines and autism. Geier, who is not a doctor, has co-authored multiple reports suggesting the preservative thimerosal used in some vaccines may increase the risk of autism.
Soon after President Donald J. Trump mentioned in his March 5 address to a joint session of Congress that one in 36 U.S. children has been identified with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) was tasked with reexamining whether there is a link between vaccines and autism.
“Multiple studies from around the world have found no link between autism and vaccines,” Dr. Kressly said. “The data underpinning these conclusions were studied by independent researchers and published in peer-reviewed journals, which have undergone rigorous scientific scrutiny.”
That’s consistent with the CDC’s own messaging. Its webpage titled “Autism and Vaccines” — last updated on Dec. 30, 2024, and still on display as of March 26 — contains a heading that reads, “Vaccines do not cause autism.” Messages atop the page say studies have shown no link between vaccines (or vaccine ingredients) and ASD.
The CDC also says research does not show a link between autism and thimerosal, which has not been used in vaccines for children since 2001 in the U.S.
Dr. Kressly called on the government to promote the benefits of vaccines and said that anything that undermines parents’ confidence in them “should cause grave concern.”
“During this time, when the United States is in the midst of an active measles outbreak, the American Academy of Pediatrics urges government leaders to work in partnership with public health and medical experts to promote immunization, disseminate factual information, and reduce barriers to access so that every child and community can benefit from the American success story of vaccines,” Dr. Kressly said.
The CDC issued a Health Alert Network advisory on March 7 recommending measles-mumps-rubella vaccine as “the most important tool for preventing measles.” At least 378 measles cases and two deaths have been reported across 17 states this year.
Geier, who was sanctioned in 2012 by the state of Maryland for practicing medicine without a license, had no comment for the Post on his role in the government. HHS and CDC officials did not respond to the Post’s request for comment.
“We urge the CDC to remain autonomous in its ability to publish health research and evidence-based recommendations,” Dr. Kressly said. “There should be no interference. Our nation’s children depend on it.”
