URGENT UPDATE: An anti-vaccine lawyer, Aaron Siri, stirred controversy at a CDC advisory meeting on childhood vaccinations held today, as he presented claims that drew immediate backlash from health experts. Siri, who has a history of legal battles against health agencies and is the personal attorney for Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., challenged long-standing vaccine recommendations, including the hepatitis B vaccine for newborns.
During his presentation, Siri highlighted alleged adverse events linked to vaccines and pushed debunked theories connecting vaccines to autism. He remarked, “If you’re going to say vaccines don’t cause autism, have the data to say it.” This statement reignited fierce debate, as extensive research has consistently disproven any links between vaccines and autism, including a significant study from July 2023 demonstrating no association between aluminum exposure from vaccines and neurodevelopmental disorders.
Public health experts, including Dr. Jake Scott from Stanford Medicine, criticized Siri’s claims, labeling them as misleading and lacking scientific backing. Dr. Scott emphasized that numerous randomized control trials have utilized inert placebos to evaluate childhood vaccines, directly contradicting Siri’s assertions. “Siri’s claim that childhood vaccines were ‘never tested against placebo’ is a talking point, not a fact,” he stated.
The meeting, part of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), took a controversial turn as advisory members voted to revise guidelines for administering the hepatitis B vaccine to newborns. Instead of a blanket recommendation, the committee will now allow parents of hepatitis B-negative mothers to consult healthcare providers about the necessity of the vaccine.
Art Caplan, head of medical ethics at NYU Langone Medical Center, criticized Siri’s involvement, stating it reflects a troubling shift in the committee’s direction towards ideologically driven agendas. “This is a science issue, and he’s the wrong guy, with the wrong conflicts, with the wrong style, with the wrong information,” Caplan asserted.
Siri’s participation follows a controversial reshuffling of the ACIP, orchestrated by Kennedy in June, which saw the replacement of several members with those skeptical of vaccines. This shift has raised alarms among public health officials who fear it may jeopardize the integrity of the committee, which has historically been a trusted source for vaccine guidelines.
As the backlash continues, experts are urging the public to remain informed and trust evidence-based medicine. The CDC has faced increasing scrutiny under Kennedy’s leadership, and discussions around vaccine safety are more critical than ever. The implications of today’s meeting could have lasting effects on vaccination policies and public health.
WHAT TO WATCH NEXT: With the CDC meeting concluding, health officials and experts will be closely monitoring public responses and potential changes to vaccination guidelines. The ongoing debate about vaccine safety and efficacy is expected to intensify, highlighting the need for clear, evidence-based communication to combat misinformation.
