"The advisory board includes members who have expressed skepticism about vaccine safety and its link to autism despite long-settled scientific conclusions contradicting such claims."

"Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has reshaped a key federal autism advisory board, appointing members who have echoed his controversial views, including promoting debunked claims linking vaccines to autism and advocating for unproven treatments.

At least eight of the 21 picks have been involved with anti-vaccine organizations or questioned vaccine safety.

“It undermines decades of progress toward evidence-based policy,” said Alison Singer, president of the Autism Science Foundation.

Singer, who is not a member of the panel but has previously served on it, said the advisory group has historically reflected a wide range of perspectives on autism but has now been effectively “hijacked” by individuals advancing positions inconsistent with established scientific research."

Ariana Eunjung Cha reports for the Washington Post January 29, 2026. [2]