Misinformation vs. Medicine: Why the ‘Autism–Vaccine’ Link Persists
By Abigail Stewart • October 6, 2025
Conversations about vaccines and autism have remained sensitive for decades, and they continue to spark debate today. Recently, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, has raised concerns about possible causes of autism, once again bringing up vaccines. Many families feel that their worries deserve more open acknowledgment, and Kennedy’s comments resonate with them. We can all agree that finding the cause of autism may help reduce public stress. At the same time, scientific research over the past two decades has consistently found no link between vaccines and autism, regardless of these current claims. The current situation requires that we mitigate misinformation while still respecting individuals' experiences and values. We can still address these concerns while keeping factually accurate information at the head of our nation’s research team. Just because the answers are not coming to us quickly does not mean we are heading in the wrong direction. There is no need to rush the answers for such a genetically complex disease.
It is essential to understand why the notion of a vaccine-autism connection has been so compelling. Parents naturally look for answers when their child is diagnosed with autism, especially if symptoms appear around the same age as routine vaccinations. They often begin to take personal blame, seeing the diagnosis as a failure on their part as a parent. Stories from families can feel more compelling than statements from researchers. Researchers cannot empathize with what these families are going through. When trust in institutions like pharmaceutical companies is already fragile as of late, official reassurances can sometimes sound impersonal. This helps explain why Kennedy’s emphasis is on “listening to parents,” which resonates with many people searching for answers. His approach suggests that their concerns are valued. Still, while listening is important, it does not mean we should rush to conclusions about the cause of autism without solid scientific evidence for such a complex topic.
While listening to families is crucial, it is also important to look carefully at the research. Large-scale studies from around the world, involving hundreds of thousands of children, have found no evidence that vaccines cause autism (Hviid et al, 2019). When thimerosal, a mercury-based preservative, was removed from most vaccines in the early 2000s, autism rates continued to rise. Autism also typically begins developing before many vaccines are even given, pointing toward genetic and early developmental factors rather than vaccinations (Institute of Medicine, 2011).
The conclusion from decades of research is that vaccines are safe and not linked to autism. This does not mean that parents’ experiences should be dismissed; rather, it means that we should not use inaccurate information to rush to answers. In such a complex topic like this, patience is key.
The challenge now is to create a space where scientific findings and parental concerns can be heard side by side. Simply telling people they are “wrong” about vaccines does not work. It strengthens mistrust when the answer is uncertain. Instead, acknowledging the real anxieties families feel can help build bridges to mediate stress. Trust grows when people feel heard and when health leaders communicate with empathy.
The renewed vaccine-autism debate sparked by RFK Jr. shows how powerful personal stories, mistrust, and scientific evidence can collide. While science makes it clear that vaccines do not cause autism, families’ concerns should not be brushed aside and must be heard. They are at the forefront of this topic and should be heavily involved. The way forward lies in listening, fostering transparency, and presenting evidence with compassion. By doing so, we can reduce misinformation, support families more effectively, and maintain confidence in vaccines, stabilizing the public health of this country.
References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024, February 7). Autism and vaccines. U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccine-safety/about/autism.html
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. (2024). Vaccines and autism. Vaccine Education Center. https://www.chop.edu/vaccine-education-center/vaccine-safety/vaccines-and-other-conditions/autism
Hviid, A., Hansen, J. V., Frisch, M., & Melbye, M. (2019). Measles, mumps, rubella vaccination and autism: A nationwide cohort study. Annals of Internal Medicine, 170(8), 513–520. https://doi.org/10.7326/M18-2101
Institute of Medicine. (2012). Adverse effects of vaccines: Evidence and causality. National Academies Press. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK190024/
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. (2013). The childhood immunization schedule and safety: Stakeholder concerns, scientific evidence, and future studies. National Academies Press. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK206948/
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. (2001–2004). Immunization safety review series. National Academies Press. https://www.nationalacademies.org/our-work/immunization-safety-review
Abbie Stewart is a neuroscience student on the pre-med track at Indiana University, where she is also minoring in public health. Her academic and professional interests focus on addiction neuroscience, the opioid epidemic, and broader scientific debates. She has explored topics ranging from the opioid crisis and vaccine misinformation to the critical gaps in knowledge surrounding endocannabinoids. Passionate about bridging science and communication, Abbie is dedicated to making complex health issues accessible to diverse audiences. She plans to pursue a career in medicine with a continued emphasis on public health research, advocacy, and patient-centered care.