Witness tells Congress scientific evidence does not link vaccines to autism
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Summary
During questioning, a member asked whether Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s claim that vaccines cause autism is supported by evidence; Dr. Andy Shirk told the subcommittee that research has not established such a link and described the question as 'settled' in the research community.
Representative Manning raised a public controversy during the hearing by citing a 2023 interview in which Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said he believed vaccines cause autism and asked Dr. Andy Shirk whether the assertion has scientific support.
Dr. Andy Shirk, chief science officer at Autism Speaks, answered directly: "There have been numerous studies… today there has been no, established evidence that linked the 2, vaccination with autism. So… it is a settled scientific question for the research community." When asked to repeat, Dr. Shirk affirmed: "That's correct" that the research community has not established a causal link.
The exchange was short but consequential: lawmakers pressed witnesses about diagnosis rates, improved screening tools and whether better surveillance or research investment would help resolve remaining uncertainties about environmental contributors. Witnesses consistently called for more research and better implementation of screening and services, but none provided evidence supporting a causal link between current vaccine schedules and autism.
Ending: The panel's witnesses recommended continued research investment and broader implementation of screening and early‑intervention services; they rejected the vaccine‑autism causal claim in their answers.