HHS revises federal autism committee to include members linked to anti-vaccine views.

The Department of Health and Human Services announced 21 new members of the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee, including clinicians, advocates and some individuals reported to hold anti-vaccine views. The change follows policy directions by HHS leadership and a CDC wording update about vaccines and autism in November 2025.

The Department of Health and Human Services announced new appointments to the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee. HHS said 21 members were added to the advisory group that informs the HHS secretary on autism. The appointees include physicians, people with autism, parents of autistic children and representatives connected to autism advocacy organizations. HHS leadership has emphasized investigating environmental causes of autism and directed related changes to federal materials. What is known: - HHS announced 21 new IACC members to advise Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. - Reporting from advocacy groups says the list includes several individuals who promote alternative cures and have questioned or linked vaccines to autism. - In November 2025, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention revised language on its website about vaccines and autism at the direction of Secretary Kennedy. Summary: The composition of the federal autism advisory committee has been reshaped with 21 new appointees, and some additions are reported to hold or promote anti-vaccine views. These changes follow policy directions from HHS leadership and a CDC wording change in late 2025. Undetermined at this time.