BOSTON—Massachusetts Public Health Commissioner Robbie Goldstein has launched a scathing attack on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) following a controversial update to its vaccine guidelines. The CDC now claims that the assertion "vaccines do not cause autism" lacks evidence, igniting fury among medical professionals and parents alike.

Goldstein described the CDC's statement as "troubling and dangerous," asserting that it contradicts overwhelming scientific consensus. "Such claims are factually incorrect and deliberately misleading," he stated, emphasizing that they not only undermine public confidence in vaccines but also put children at risk of contracting preventable diseases.

In a stark warning, Goldstein said, "We could see a resurgence of childhood diseases like measles, mumps, rubella, and polio if people stop getting vaccines because of what’s on this government website." He specifically called out Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr., accusing him of spreading misinformation that could have dire consequences for public health.

In response to the misleading claims, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) plans to remove links to CDC content that perpetuates these assertions. "DPH is committed to providing the public with accurate, science-based information," Goldstein affirmed. As anxiety over vaccine misinformation grows, he urges parents to consult with their pediatricians and adhere to state health guidance.

This public health controversy highlights the ongoing battle between science and misinformation, as officials scramble to reassure communities that vaccines are safe and essential for children’s health.