The White House is reportedly drafting an executive order that would investigate the disproven link between vaccines and autism, according to sources cited by The Washington Post and Bloomberg.
The executive order, which is still in the process of being drafted and is subject to change, could potentially be issued as soon as next week, Bloomberg reported. The Washington Post stated that the order's current focus includes the childhood vaccine schedule, autism research, and parental choice regarding vaccinations.
Despite the proposed executive order, numerous high-quality studies have already explored the topic, with data from millions of children worldwide showing no link between childhood vaccines and autism. These studies have consistently produced the same findings, contradicting the claim of a link between the two.
The claim of a link between vaccines and autism originated from a now-retracted study that was deemed unethical and fraudulent. The study's author was subsequently stripped of their medical license, further discrediting the claim.
The drafting of the executive order has raised concerns, given the overwhelming evidence that contradicts the link between vaccines and autism. The move may be seen as a step backward in the efforts to promote public health and vaccination.
Background
Dozens of studies have been conducted on the topic, providing a substantial amount of data that confirms the safety and efficacy of childhood vaccines. The continued promotion of the disproven link between vaccines and autism poses a risk to public health, as it may lead to decreased vaccination rates and increased risk of preventable diseases.
<small>Source: Ars Technica — read the original story there.</small>
