U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has personally confirmed his direct involvement in a controversial alteration to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website. The change suggested a link between vaccines and autism, a claim that is not supported by scientific evidence.
A Direct Order from the Top
In a statement to The New York Times, Kennedy revealed that he personally ordered the language to be changed on the CDC's official platform. This move has placed the nation's leading public health agency at the center of a political and scientific firestorm. The assertion of a connection between vaccines and autism has been thoroughly debunked by decades of extensive medical research.
A Scathing Rebuke from a Former Official
The action prompted an immediate and powerful response from Dr. Demetre Daskalakis, the former head of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases. Daskalakis, who resigned from his role earlier this year, did not mince words in his criticism.
He took to social media to label Kennedy's website update as a national embarrassment. In his post, Daskalakis warned the public, "The weaponization of the voice of CDC is getting worse," and explicitly stated, "DO NOT TRUST THIS AGENCY." His comments highlight the profound concern among public health professionals regarding the politicization of scientific institutions.
Implications for Public Trust
This incident raises serious questions about the integrity of public health information in the United States. The CDC is a cornerstone of national and global health guidance, and its credibility is paramount. Experts fear that such unsupported changes could erode public trust and fuel vaccine hesitancy, with potential consequences for community health and safety.
This is a developing story, and further updates are expected as the situation unfolds.
