Friday, November 21, 2025
This week, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated their website with misinformation about vaccines and autism.
Dr. Kate Smith, Executive Director of the Delaware Academy of Medicine and Public Health, issued the following statement in response:
“Thanks to medical advances like safe and effective vaccines, people are living longer than ever before. Diseases that used to kill children regularly, like smallpox, are a thing of the past. Yet, the latest misinformation about vaccines coming from the U.S. CDC threatens that progress, and will likely lead to unnecessary suffering, and even death.
On Wednesday evening, a directive from HHS forced the CDC to publish scientifically false claims about vaccines and autism – claims the agency itself and scientists across the world have spent decades investigating. Study after study has found no link. There is no debate or misunderstanding, no new data has been presented. Politics overrode science in a place where accuracy, integrity, credibility, transparency, and honesty save lives.
We’re already seeing the impact of vaccine misinformation in the growing measles outbreak across the country. Measles is a vaccine-preventable disease, and was declared eradicated in the U.S. 25 years ago. However, today, there are more than 1,700 of people across the country who have been infected, the majority under age 5, and three people have died from this entirely preventable disease. North America has lost its measles elimination status. The United States will likely lose that status in January.
Earlier this year, the Academy joined thousands of public health and healthcare professionals in opposing the nomination of RFK Jr to lead HHS. This latest move underscores our opposition. RFK Jr. is turning a globally renowned health institution into a circus that the public cannot trust.
Vaccines save lives and we support their use to protect people from infectious diseases. We are fortunate here in Delaware to have leadership that advances evidence-based policies to protect our communities. If you have questions about vaccines, please consult your healthcare provider.”