Sen. Bill Cassidy presses limits on RFK Jr.'s CDC changes as medical groups push back

Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. told the program this week that he instructed the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to change language on its website about vaccines and autism to read, "The statement vaccines do not cause autism is not an evidence-based claim. Scientific studies have not ruled out the possibility that infant vaccines contribute to the development of autism." The segment said that wording is "highly disputed by the scientific and medical community."

Sen. Bill Cassidy, a physician and chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, criticized any message that could undermine confidence in vaccines. "Vaccines are safe," Cassidy said on the program, and later urged listeners, "Please get vaccinated. Protect yourself, make your family healthy."

Medical organizations pushed back on the reported revision. The American Medical Association was quoted as saying, "Despite recent changes to the CDC website, an abundance of evidence from decades of scientific studies shows no link between vaccines and autism, extensive and rigorous studies consistently show that vaccines are safe and effective."

Host questions during the interview reminded Cassidy that he cast the deciding vote enabling RFK Jr.'s confirmation as secretary. Cassidy pointed to a statement he made on the Senate floor at the time, saying RFK Jr. had committed to "maintain the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommendations" and that CDC would not remove statements pointing out that vaccines do not cause autism.

Asked what he would do now to push back, Cassidy emphasized public-health messaging and clinical guidance: he said the priority is to "send the consistent signal that vaccines are safe" and to encourage people to "discuss [vaccination] with your physician." He cited recent vaccine-preventable deaths as context for his concern about undermining vaccine uptake.

The program also referenced a New Yorker essay by Tatiana Schllothberg, described on-air as a Kennedy family member, that alleges cuts to NIH and to mRNA-vaccine research during RFK Jr.'s tenure; the host said family members have public criticisms. Cassidy declined to engage in personal attacks and steered the conversation back toward health policy.

There was no formal vote or legislative action reported in the interview; Cassidy said he supports efforts to protect public-health messaging and urged clinicians and parents to rely on medical advice.