“There is no causal link between vaccines and autism.”

Bill CassidyNews reportOctober 2, 2026Read the original

The claim appeared in an ABC News article on 2 October 2026, reporting on a Trump executive order about childhood vaccine schedules.

Our verdict

Unverified

The claim that there is no causal link between vaccines and autism is unverifiable. The available evidence strongly supports no link for the MMR vaccine, but does not cover all vaccines.

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What we found

We found several studies and statements from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that show no association between the MMR vaccine and autism. However, the claim made by Senator Bill Cassidy refers to vaccines in general, not just MMR. The sources we could access do not provide a comprehensive review of every vaccine type. They rely on official statements rather than a large-scale independent study covering all childhood vaccines. Because of this gap, we cannot confirm or refute the blanket claim. If you have evidence that addresses all vaccines, please send it to us.

The evidence

3 of 6 sources support the claim; none contradict it.

Contradict 0Support 3Background 3

When each source was published

Supports the claim
A CDC fact sheet states that scientific studies have found no association between the MMR vaccine and autism.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention· The MMR Vaccine and Autism
Supports the claim
A CDC summary of its own research says the evidence is clear that vaccines do not cause autism spectrum disorder.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention· Vaccines and Autism: Summary of CDC Conducted or Sponsored Studies
February 13, 2015
Background
The CDC Director said in 2019 that vaccines are safe and do not cause autism.
archive.cdc.gov· CDC Newsroom
April 29, 2019
Background
Senator Cassidy himself stated during a confirmation hearing on 16 September 2026 that vaccines do not cause autism.
help.senate.gov· Chairman Cassidy Delivers Remarks During Confirmation Hearing on Nominations for Deputy HHS Secretary, Surgeon General, and SAMHSA
September 16, 2026
Background
The ABC News article quotes Senator Cassidy saying there is no causal link between vaccines and autism.
abcnews.com· Doctors push back on Trump executive order to change childhood vaccine schedule
Supports the claim
A survey report notes there is no evidence linking the MMR vaccine to autism, but again only addresses MMR.
cidrap.umn.edu· 1 in 4 US adults mistakenly believe MMR vaccine causes autism, survey reveals

What we could not confirm

We could not find any large-scale study or systematic review that examines a causal link between all childhood vaccines and autism.
The exact date of Senator Cassidy's statement in the ABC News article could not be verified independently; the press release from his office is dated 16 September 2026, not 2 October 2026.

How we checked

We searched for official statements, epidemiological studies, and systematic reviews from public health bodies such as the CDC, as well as news reports of the Senator's remarks. We reviewed 8 relevant sources.

Help us check this claim

We could not find enough public evidence to confirm or refute this claim. If you know of an official record, dataset, transcript or report that settles it, send us the link. We review every submission and update this fact check when the evidence changes the picture.

Measured Take updates fact checks when new evidence emerges. Corrections are noted on the page.

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