Amsterdam institute for Immunology and Infectious diseases

Recently, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated its website on vaccines and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). According to the CDC website, scientific studies have not been able to rule out the possibility that vaccines in young children cause ASD. Therefore, the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has launched a comprehensive assessment of the causes of autism, including investigations on plausible biological mechanisms and potential causal links.

Although adverse events following vaccination must be taken seriously and demand stringent monitoring alongside transparent communication, the Amsterdam institute for Immunology and Infectious Diseases (AI&I) stresses that current scientific evidence does not support a causal association between vaccines and ASD. This conclusion is based on numerous large studies and reviews, which have consistently found no association between vaccination and the development of ASD. This is also endorsed by leading national health authorities such as the Dutch national public health institute (RIVM) and Lareb (Landelijke registratie evaluatie bijwerkingen), but also international authorities such as the World Health Organization (WHO), The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and - up until recently - the US CDC. It is difficult to disentangle the CDC’s revised position from the broader political landscape in the United States, and this raises concerns. Scientific judgment should remain insulated from political interference: science is inherently non-partisan, and political considerations should exert minimal, if any, impact on scientific assessment.

The - in our view - misconception that vaccines cause ASD can be traced back to a 1998 publication in The Lancet, which was later retracted due to methodological flaws and evidence of scientific fraud. The principal investigator, Dr. Andrew Wakefield, was subsequently stripped of his medical license for professional misconduct.

Given the overwhelming scientific evidence, it is crucial to communicate clearly and accurately about vaccine safety and to address misinformation that may undermine public health.

Expert perspective

We asked Dr. Bram Goorhuis, Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases Physician and member of the Amsterdam institute for Immunology and Infectious diseases, to share his perspective on the CDC’s recent update and the broader debate in the article below.

CDC’s position and its origins

Dr. Goorhuis explains, ‘On 19 November 2025, the CDC changed its website to say that the statement ‘vaccines do not cause ASD is ‘not evidence-based’, implying that a causal link cannot be ruled out. This shift aligns closely with the views of U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and President Donald Trump, both long associated with vaccine–autism claims that contradict mainstream scientific evidence. Major scientific and medical bodies have publicly criticized the change and restated that decades of data show no causal link between vaccines and autism. The new messaging from the CDC does not reflect the state of the science; it reflects political interference.’

Compelling scientific evidence
Dr. Goorhuis highlights several anchor studies and reviews that have consistently found no association between vaccines and ASD, including large meta-analyses and cohort studies involving over a million children¹. These studies, such as those by Taylor et al., Madsen et al., Hviid et al., Jain et al., and Andersson et al., as well as multiple systematic reviews, demonstrate that vaccination does not increase the risk of ASD, even in high-risk groups.

Consequences of misinformation

Dr. Goorhuis warns, ‘Spreading or legitimizing the myth that vaccines cause ASD has serious consequences: lower vaccination coverage, outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases, and a decline of trust in institutions. In the Netherlands and elsewhere, dips in coverage have led to measles outbreaks and increased risk of other preventable diseases. When official agencies contradict long-standing science, it can feed broader conspiracy thinking and rejection of public health advice.’

Dispelling myths and communicating effectively

To counter persistent myths, Dr. Goorhuis advises scientists and clinicians to, ‘Consistently emphasize the data, correct the myth whenever possible, and provide concise, non-technical explanations. Empathy is key, being dismissive doesn’t help. ‘Pre-bunking’ people against common misinformation techniques can reduce susceptibility to online vaccine myths. Explain how safety monitoring works and give concrete examples of when recommendations have changed due to new data. Doctors are usually more trusted than distant institutions, so their recommendations have real impact. Scientists and clinicians should also be brave online and tell the truth, even if it leads to negative comments on Social Media.’

Response from Dutch Health Authorities

Dr. Goorhuis suggests that Dutch health authorities should explicitly reaffirm the evidence, stress Dutch and EU independence in vaccine policy, and provide clear communication packages for healthcare professionals. Engaging ASD organizations and patient groups is important to co-develop statements that reject the vaccine myth while respecting people with ASD. Monitoring the impact of international news on vaccination coverage and attitudes is also essential.

Strengthening public trust in vaccines

To further strengthen public trust, Dr. Goorhuis recommends producing large, independent studies, making evidence accessible through plain-language summaries and infographics, and responding rapidly to misrepresentation. Defending institutional independence and involving communities affected by misinformation are also crucial steps.

Challenges and approaches at the vaccination center

At vaccination centers, Dr. Goorhuis notes that vaccine hesitancy is rarely encountered, as those opposed to vaccination typically do not make appointments. For those with doubts, framing vaccination positively and providing concise information helps. Dr. Goorhuis: ‘We tell them: ‘By vaccinating, you help protect yourself or your child and (sometimes) vulnerable people around you, instead of: ‘If you don’t vaccinate…hellfire’’. We also use (digital) leaflets containing concise information about the administered vaccines.

In the vaccination center at Amsterdam UMC, specific challenges include high diversity of languages and cultures, polarized attitudes, and spillover from international debates. Prepared scripts for hot topics, easy referral to reliable Dutch sources, and strong links between healthcare providers and community organizations are practical strategies to address these challenges.

Conclusion

The scientific consensus remains clear: vaccines do not cause ASD. It is essential to maintain rigorous monitoring, transparent communication, and a strong commitment to evidence-based policy, insulated from political influence. By continuing to address misinformation and engage with the public, we can protect public health and maintain trust in vaccination programs.

References

¹ Taylor et al. Vaccines are not associated with autism: An evidence-based meta-analysis of case-control and cohort studies. Vaccine, Vol 32, Issue 29, 2014. Ten studies (5 cohort, 5 case–control), >1.2 million children. No association between MMR, thimerosal or overall vaccination and autism/ASD (pooled ORs around 0.85–0.90).

Madsen et al. A Population-Based Study of Measles, Mumps, and Rubella Vaccination and Autism. N Engl J Med2002;347:1477-1482. Total of 537,303 children; no increased risk of autism in MMR-vaccinated vs unvaccinated children.

Hviid et al. Measles, Mumps, Rubella Vaccination and Autism:A Nationwide Cohort Study. Ann Intern Med. 2019 Apr 16;170(8):513-520. A total of 657,461 children; looked at overall autism risk, high-risk subgroups (siblings with ASD), timing after vaccination. Conclusion: MMR does not increase autism risk, does not trigger autism in susceptible children, and shows no clustering of cases after vaccination.

Jain et al. JAMA. 2015 Apr 21;313(15):1534-40. Autism occurrence by MMR vaccine status among US children with older siblings with and without autism. Children with an older sibling with ASD (high baseline risk). Vaccinated children had no higher autism risk than unvaccinated siblings; onset and course of ASD did not differ by vaccination status.

Andersson et al. Aluminum-Adsorbed Vaccines and Chronic Diseases in Childhood:A Nationwide Cohort Study. Ann Intern Med. 2025 Oct;178(10):1369-1377). 1 million children followed; no increased risk of autism (or 49 other conditions) in vaccinated vs unvaccinated children in the national program.

DeStefano et al. The MMR vaccine an Autism. Annu Rev Virol. 2019 Sep 29;6(1):585-600,

Gabis et al. The myth of vaccination and autism spectrum. Eur J Paediatr Neurol. 2022 Jan:36:151-158)