President-elect Donald Trump appeared to consider the widely debunked notion that vaccines could be linked to autism during a recent press conference held at his Mar-a-Lago resort.
In his comments, Trump referenced Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who he has nominated to head the Department of Health and Human Services, noting that Kennedy has been vocal in his anti-vaccine stance. Trump suggested that Kennedy would investigate the factors contributing to the increasing rates of autism.
In an apparent response to Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell’s remarks defending the polio vaccine, Trump stated he is “a big believer in it,” asserting, “You’re not going to lose the polio vaccine.”
Exploring the topic of autism, it is recognized as a developmental disorder resulting from variations in brain development. The condition presents a range of symptoms, many of which overlap with other disorders. These symptoms can include delays in communication and cognitive skills, social withdrawal, and a strong preference for routine. Research indicates that genetics may play a significant role in the condition’s development.
According to the latest figures from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2020, 1 in 36 U.S. children aged eight were diagnosed with autism, an increase from a diagnosis of 1 in 44 just two years prior.
The reasons behind the rising rates of autism are complex. Currently, there are no definitive blood or biological tests for the disorder; rather, autism is diagnosed based on assessments of behavior. Traditionally, diagnosis was limited to children exhibiting severe communication challenges or unusual repetitive behaviors. However, approximately 30 years ago, the terminology expanded to encompass a broader spectrum of related but milder conditions referred to as “autism spectrum disorders.”
As noted by Maureen Durkin, a professor of population health sciences at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, “Most of the increase in recent decades is in relatively mildly affected children and adults, so maybe in the past we wouldn’t have called it autism.” Advances in screening and access to autism services have resulted in earlier diagnoses. Additionally, there has been a growing advocacy and awareness for Black and Hispanic communities, contributing to a rise in autism diagnoses within these populations.
In terms of the connection between autism and vaccines, scientific evidence has repeatedly ruled out any link. The misconception originated from a fraudulent 1998 study, which has since been discredited and retracted by the publishing medical journal. Comprehensive studies, both domestically and internationally, have found no connection between vaccines, including those containing thimerosal, and autism. While thimerosal—previously common as a vaccine preservative—has been removed from most childhood immunizations, it is still present in some flu vaccines, albeit with thimerosal-free alternatives available.
The American Academy of Pediatrics has recognized vaccines as “one of the most significant medical innovations of our time.”
In response to Trump’s suggestions regarding vaccines, Mitch McConnell, who himself suffered from polio as a child, has urged that any nominees from Trump’s administration seeking Senate confirmation should avoid undermining public trust in vaccines. In a statement, McConnell emphasized, “Efforts to undermine public confidence in proven cures are not just uninformed — they’re dangerous.” He advised that those nominated to the incoming administration should refrain from even the appearance of association with such discrediting efforts.