For the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to be effective, the public needs to trust its recommendations. Confidence that policies are being guided by science-not politics-is at the heart of that trust.
Decades of rigorous, global research have demonstrated no causal link between vaccines and autism. Suggesting otherwise is dangerous and irresponsible, and contradicts the Administration's stated goal of focusing on "gold standard science."
CDC's latest pronouncement will further undermine public trust, not rebuild it. The American Society for Microbiology stands ready to work with officials to support evidence-based policies. To do that, CDC leaders need to demonstrate a willingness to reverse course on uncredible and misleading statements.
