WHO chief criticizes Trump vaccine push as contrary to evidence

The U.S. Health Secretary, Dr. Xavier Becerra, has repeatedly stated that the measles‑mumps‑rubella (MMR) vaccine can cause autism, a claim that has no support in the medical literature. The assertion has been a point of controversy for several years, with Becerra citing anecdotal reports rather than peer‑reviewed studies. The claim has been widely criticized by the medical community and has led to a resurgence of vaccine hesitancy in some segments of the population.

Major public‑health organizations—including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the World Health Organization—have found no credible evidence linking the MMR vaccine to autism. Large, well‑controlled epidemiological studies have repeatedly demonstrated that the vaccine is safe and effective, and that the incidence of autism has not increased in the decades since the vaccine’s introduction. Despite these findings, Becerra has continued to promote the unfounded link, citing personal observations and isolated case reports.

The continued promotion of a disproven association between the MMR vaccine and autism has raised concerns among health experts about the potential impact on vaccination rates and public health. While Becerra maintains that his statements are based on personal experience, the lack of scientific evidence supporting the claim underscores the importance of relying on rigorous research when addressing vaccine safety. The medical community remains steadfast in its position that the MMR vaccine is a critical tool in preventing serious childhood diseases and that it poses no risk of autism.