Sen. Cassidy Calls CDC Vaccine–Autism Webpage ‘Almost an Insult’ After Footnote Change

Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) sharply criticized the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention after the agency revised its vaccine-and-autism webpage following an intervention from Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The change — which adjusted a footnote beneath the headline while leaving most of the page intact — has reignited debate over how the CDC presents the science on vaccines and autism.

What Changed

Last fall, HHS directed the CDC to update its online guidance about vaccines and autism. Previously, the CDC had stated clearly that vaccines do not cause autism, reflecting the consensus of decades of research. The revised language said the claim "vaccines do not cause autism" was not strictly an "evidence-based claim" because studies have not ruled out all possible links — a formulation critics said opened the door to confusion.

Recent Developments

Roughly nine months after the revision, Sen. Cassidy publicly endorsed Erica Schwartz's nomination to lead the CDC after the agency agreed to modify the vaccines-and-autism webpage. Cassidy described the edit as a step forward but told reporters he remained dissatisfied: the page still suggests a possible link between vaccines and autism and even references a recently retracted study, according to a NOTUS report.

"It's been firmly established vaccines do not cause autism. That's over decades," Cassidy said on CNN's State of the Union. "The fact that [the CDC's webpage remains largely intact] is almost an insult to the American people."

Footnote vs. Substance

The most visible change to the CDC page was a revised footnote under the headline "Vaccines do not cause autism," which replaces a prior, more explicit reference. Beyond that tweak, the page's core statements largely remain in place, according to reporting. Critics say the footnote change is superficial and insufficient to repair damage to public trust.

What Comes Next

Cassidy has the authority as HELP Committee chair to press the nomination process or demand further edits, but so far his response has been limited to public criticism. Observers say stronger oversight or procedural steps in the Senate could compel a more substantial revision if policymakers conclude the page still misrepresents the scientific consensus.

Bottom line: A minor textual change ended up falling short of resolving concerns about the CDC's presentation of vaccine–autism science, leaving lawmakers and public-health advocates at odds over how the agency communicates settled scientific findings.