The U.S. Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is launching a large-scale study into potential links between vaccines and autism, despite extensive research dismissing any connection. This follows a major measles outbreak in Texas and New Mexico, with over 200 cases and two deaths, largely due to falling vaccination rates fuelled by misinformation.

U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a long-time sceptic of the MMR vaccine, has been at the centre of the debate. While he recently emphasised vaccination's importance in a Fox News piece, he maintained that parents should decide for themselves. The CDC and Health and Human Services (HHS) defended the study by citing rising autism diagnoses, but experts warn it may reinforce vaccine fears.

Dr. Wilbur Chen, a former CDC adviser, cautioned that launching such research could fuel public doubt. Many scientists attribute rising autism rates to broader screening and expanded diagnostic criteria. The debunked vaccine-autism link stems from Andrew Wakefield’s 1990s study. Research suggests autism is more likely tied to genetics, prenatal development, and birth complications rather than vaccines.

The issue has become increasingly political, with President Donald Trump referencing rising autism rates in a recent address to Congress. He expressed confidence in Kennedy and his team to investigate the matter. However, Kennedy’s position has raised concerns among some Republican lawmakers. Senator Bill Cassidy, a physician, urged Kennedy to disavow any vaccine-autism connection during his confirmation hearing, but Kennedy declined to do so. The debate has also extended to Trump’s nominee for the National Institutes of Health, Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, who faced questioning on his views regarding vaccine safety research.