Discredited researcher set to lead CDC study linking vaccines to autism

In the United States, recent reports have indicated that David Geier, a discredited anti-vaccine advocate, has been chosen to lead a new study at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) examining the alleged link between vaccines and autism. This decision has raised considerable concern, as Geier has a documented history of spreading misinformation about vaccines and has been disciplined for practicing medicine without a license. His hiring was first reported on March 26, 2025, and comes in the context of an ongoing measles outbreak in several states, including Texas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico. David and his father, Mark Geier, have previously published numerous studies that falsely associate vaccines with autism, prompting significant criticism from the scientific community. Mark Geier lost his medical license for unethical practices, including misdiagnosing children and endangering their welfare with dubious treatments. Despite the mounting evidence against the idea that vaccines cause autism, the Geiers continue to assert their disproven claims. Their work has fueled considerable public fear and skepticism regarding vaccine safety. This latest move by the Department of Health and Human Services, led by anti-vaccine activist Robert F. Kennedy Jr., to involve Geier in a federal study is particularly troubling for many experts in the field. They argue that the initiation of research into a settled issue indicates an intention to cast doubt on vaccine safety, which could undermine public trust in vaccination and exacerbate ongoing public health challenges. With the current rise in measles cases, primarily among unvaccinated children, this new study could have far-reaching consequences. Critics, including scientists from the Autism Science Foundation, have expressed their concerns that taxpayer money is being wasted on a question that has already been extensively explored and answered. Research has consistently shown no link between vaccines and autism, with numerous studies dismissing the Geiers' claims due to foundational flaws in their methodology. The upcoming CDC study led by David Geier is viewed by many in the medical community as a foregone conclusion designed to reaffirm their unfounded beliefs rather than contribute constructively to public health discourse.