CDC plans expansive study into possible links between vaccines and autism

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is preparing to launch an expansive study into possible links between vaccines and autism — even in the face of thorough scientific research disproving their connection.

It wasn’t clear what role Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., 71, may have had in the CDC’s new plan — which was confirmed by two sources to Reuters.

Kennedy — an environmental lawyer with no medical degree — has long touted skepticism about vaccines, suggesting they could be tied to the rise in autism cases in children.

At his confirmation hearing in January to head the Department of Health and Human Services, Kennedy defended his prior statements on immunizations while hedging on the topic, claiming he wasn’t against the preventative shots. He was pressed on his views on vaccination from politicians on both sides of the aisles during the hearings.

“If you show me data, I will be the first person to assure the American people that they need to take those vaccines,” RFK said. “Not only will I do that, but I will apologize for any statements that misled people otherwise.”

President Trump this week in his address to Congress raised the topic of the rise in autism in kids saying: “We’re going to find out what it is.

“And there’s nobody better than Bobby and all of the people that are working with you,” the commander-in-chief said of Kennedy.

RFK oversees important federal public health benefit programs like Medicare and Medicaid and research for the agency that has a $1.7 trillion budget.

Claims of the connection between immunizations and vaccines have their origins in a since-disproven theory by British researcher Andrew Wakefield who claimed the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine shot led to autism.

The sharp rise in autism diagnoses since the 2000s has raised public concerns and is likely partially responsible for the theory staying alive — despite robust research showing no ties between the two.

Instead, researchers have theorized the increase in the diagnosis to the fact that screening for it is more widespread and because of the broadening of the characteristics included in autism.

Research suggests that pregnancy factors, birth complications and the timing of when a child is born are more likely contributors to autism.

With Post wires