For immediate release: November 21, 2025
Media contact: Alicia Adams, Esq. (aadams@fcaap.org)
FCAAP Urges Government Officials to Remove False Information
Spreading inaccurate and misleading information creates confusion and negatively impacts the ability of families to protect their children.
Tallahassee, FL — The Florida Chapter of American Academy of Pediatrics (“FCAAP”) is concerned that this week’s changes to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”) website suggesting that vaccines cause autism will create confusion for parents and caregivers and will ultimately put children’s health at risk.
Since 1998, independent researchers across seven countries have conducted more than forty high-quality studies involving over 5.6 million people. The conclusion is clear and unambiguous: There is no link between vaccines and autism.
The development of vaccines is one of the top medical advancements in history. The development of vaccines has prevented countless deaths, reduced serious injuries and long-term health complications caused by infectious diseases, and brought many potentially deadly diseases under control. Routine vaccination is the safest and most effective way to prevent the spread of infectious diseases, and high vaccination rates protect everyone in the community, especially children.
The goal of all parents and caregivers is to protect their children. Pediatricians partner with families every day to ensure their children are happy, safe, and healthy. Misinformation about vaccines only creates confusion and increases the risk for widespread disease.
“As pediatricians, our goal is to work with families to ensure they have accurate, science-based information to make an informed decision about the best way to keep their children healthy,” said FCAAP President Rana Alissa, MD, FAAP. “Decades of scientific research confirms that vaccines are one of the most effective tools for preventing serious diseases. When false information about vaccines is spread, parents don’t know what to believe and our job to help them protect their children becomes harder.”
Parents and caregivers should have access to accurate information they can trust without having to worry about whether a political agenda has influenced the information they are receiving. FCAAP calls for the CDC to remove false information from its website and encourages families to talk to their child’s pediatrician for clarity and answers about their child’s health and about the safety and efficacy of vaccines.
“Your pediatrician knows and cares for your child – and they are making recommendations with your child’s well-being in mind,” Dr. Alissa said. “Talk to your child’s pediatrician about what you have heard or read about vaccines. They can answer your questions and help you develop a plan to keep your children healthy.”
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About the Florida Chapter of American Academy of Pediatrics:
Through its almost 3,000 members, the Florida Chapter of American Academy of Pediatrics promotes the health and welfare of Florida’s children and supports pediatricians and pediatric specialists as the best qualified providers of their health care.
Download a PDF version of this statement here.
