In The Politics of Autism, I analyze the myth that vaccines cause autism. This bogus idea can hurt people by allowing diseases to spread.
Examples include measles, COVID, flu, and polio. A top antivaxxer is HHS Secretary RFK Jr. He is part of the "Disinformation Dozen." He helped cause a deadly 2019 measles outbreak in Samoa.
He recommended Casey Means as Trump's pick for surgeon general. At her confirmation hearings, she sidestepped questions about vaccines and autism.
Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA): Do you believe that vaccines, whether individually or collectively, contribute to autism?
Dr. Casey Means: Until we have a clear understanding of why kids are developing this at higher rates, I think we should not leave any stones unturned.
Sen. Bill Cassidy: There's been a lot of evidence showing that they're not implicated. Do you not accept that evidence?
Dr. Casey Means: I do accept that evidence. I also think that science is never settled.
In response to Sanders' questions on vaccines and autism, Means said, "anti-vaccine rhetoric has never been a part of my message."
"I am not here to complicate the issue on vaccines," she said. "I think it's important to just keep it on the table."
The idea of restudying potential links between vaccines and autism aligns with long-held sentiments from Kennedy, who has ordered HHS to determine the cause of autism.
On Joe Rogan, however, she seemed to give credit to the debunked "too many too soon' theory:
Casey Means on How the “Cult of ‘The Science’” Doesn’t Allow Certain Questions to Be Asked
— Chief Nerd (@TheChiefNerd) October 8, 2024
“I bet that one vaccine probably isn’t causing autism but what about the 20 that they’re getting before 18 months?”@CaseyMeansMD @joerogan @calleymeans pic.twitter.com/CY5YN9SShg
