Springfield, IL – Illinois health officials are pushing back today after a series of changes on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website suggested a connection between vaccines and autism—information state leaders say is false, misleading, and dangerous.
According to the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), the CDC updated parts of its website this week to include language implying a link between routine childhood vaccinations and autism spectrum disorder. IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra called the changes “inaccurate” and said they contradict decades of well-established scientific evidence.
“More than 40 high-quality studies, involving millions of individuals, have shown no link between vaccines and autism,” Vohra said in Wednesday’s statement. He added that the CDC’s sudden shift creates renewed confusion around an issue that the scientific community has long debunked.
According to IDPH, research continues to demonstrate that routine immunizations remain one of the most effective tools for preventing severe illnesses such as measles, chickenpox, pertussis, polio, and hepatitis B. Health officials warn that without vaccinations, communities face higher risks of complications including pneumonia, brain swelling, paralysis, and even death.
Vohra also noted that misinformation harms not only public health, but also individuals with autism and their families by perpetuating stigma. “People with autism are valued members of our communities, and they deserve our respect,” he said.
IDPH says Illinois will continue following evidence-based medical guidance and encourages residents to consult the state’s immunization resources or their healthcare providers for accurate vaccine information.
