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The Guardian - US
The Guardian - US
World
Hannah Harris Green

Debunked myths that vaccines cause autism are increasing stigma

Autism Vaccine United States CDC
a teacher holds up a card in front of a student as they sit at a table
The CDC plans to devote research dollars to the debunked myth that vaccines cause autism. Photograph: Roger Askew/Alamy

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is planning to devote research dollars to the debunked myth that vaccines cause autism – legitimizing stigma not only around vaccines, but around autism itself.

Matthew Shallenberger, father to an 11-year-old autistic son in Tennessee, says this myth is harmful because “it treats autism as some dreadful disease to avoid at all costs”.

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