A page of the CDC's website has been changed to include a false claim about autism and vaccines. The page about vaccines and autism formerly said that "no links have been found between any vaccine ingredients and Autism spectrum disorder."

Florida

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has revised its website, removing its prior assertion that vaccines do not cause autism. The new language states that the claim is not evidence-based, citing that studies have not definitively ruled out a possible link. This update has drawn criticism from medical experts, who note that the scientific consensus, supported by dozens of studies over the past two decades, finds no evidence connecting vaccines to autism.

The change echoes skepticism promoted by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., who has advanced debunked claims about vaccine safety. Experts, including CBS News chief medical correspondent Dr. John LaPook, emphasize that the CDC has not provided detailed research or references supporting the revision. Major medical organizations continue to advise parents to consult their doctors, and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has announced $50 million in new research funding to investigate the causes of autism.

CDC website revised to include false claim about autism and vaccines

The CDC has changed the language on its website, which previously said vaccines do not cause autism. The revised language now reads, quote, the claim vaccines do not cause autism is not an evidence based claim because studies have not ruled out the possibility that infant vaccines cause autism. The new image says studies supporting a link have been ignored by health authorities. The revision echoes the skepticisms of health secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., who has repeatedly promoted debunked claims about vaccine safety, including a false link to autism. Joining me now is CBS News chief medical correspondent, Dr. John LaPook. So, doctor, is there any evidence that there is science behind this new messaging? I think one of the frustrating things to a lot of us about a change like this is show us your homework. You know, where is the detailed analysis with the research and the references that led you to come to this conclusion? You know, just saying it and changing the website. Who made the changes? I mean, was it political people? Were there research people? Were there people with medical background, expertise in this? We don't know. So I have to say that this all started, this entire claim that there was a link of vaccines to autism in 1998 with a paper that covered, you know, 12 kids. It was from the British Lancet, which is a very prestigious journal, and said it claimed that there was a link between giving MMR vaccine, measles, much rubella, and autism. Well, investigations showed, declared that that was a fraudulent paper and it was retracted. The person who was the lead author lost their medical license. But it took 12 years from 1998 until 2010 before it was retracted. And in that time, this whole anti-vaccine movement and the whole idea that, well, maybe vaccines somehow are linked to autism caught fire. In the meantime, over the last like 20 years, there have been dozens of studies, dozens of them, that have not shown a link. And the consensus, the vast majority of the organizations, the consensus of the scientific community is that there is no evidence of a link between autism and vaccines. What is your advice then to parents? Well, you know, I think it's very tough right now because you've got one thing coming from the CDC and then you have another thing, different advice coming from places like the American Academy of Pediatrics, ACOG, the Academy of, you know, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the American College of Physicians. So it's very tough. I think we always say it, go to your doctor and see what your doctor says and get the advice from there. But of course, the doctor may have a tough time looking over all the evidence. I mean, I have to say there's frustration here, right? Because if you're a parent, if you're a parent, you have a kid who has autism and you think, well, maybe I did it to them by giving them a vaccine. I mean, first of all, you feel guilty over that. But also, if it turns out there's no link, I mean, as the evidence seems to show, they haven't been able to find it. It's hard to prove a negative to show that there's no link, but there's lots of evidence that there hasn't shown that there's a link. For the last like 20 years or more, think of the diversion there. I've spoken to scientists who said, my gosh, all the research we could have been doing into what actually is causing autism, not to mention money spent towards early diagnosis, early treatment. So it's very frustrating to a lot of people in the scientific and the community that's dealing with autism on a daily basis to say, OK, are we really going to be spending more time researching this? Now, one good note is that HHS has said they're going to put, I think it was $50 million into new research into looking for causes of autism. And I think that's great research that needs to be done. But the vast consensus from people I've spoken to is this was a big diversion. Of course, once the question was raised, people had to do those studies. Dozens of them have not shown a link. Dr. Jean-Loup, thank you.

President Trump approved a 28-point plan to end the Russia-Ukraine war, a senior White House official confirms to CBS News. Ramy Inocencio has the latest.

Washington

Ukraine Invasion

Trump approved 28-point plan to end Russia-Ukraine war

There are reports that the U.S. and Russia have drafted a plan that would end the war in Ukraine, but it proposes that Kyiv give up territory and some weapons.

Kyiv

Ukraine expected to give up land, some arms under U.S. peace plan

All 267 people on board a South Korean passenger ferry that ran aground off the southwestern tip of the Korean peninsula on Wednesday (November 19) have been rescued, in an incident that revived memories of the major ferry disaster in 2014 in which 300 people died.

Mokpo-si

Ferry runs aground off South Korea, crew negligence suspected

On Wednesday, U.S. President Donald Trump signed the bill that forces the Justice Department to release the files from its investigation into the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The bill was passed by the U.S. House and Senate on Tuesday.

Trump signs bill to release Epstein files

U.S. officials are now in Kyiv for the Trump administration's renewed push to end the Russia-Ukraine war. CBS News chief foreign affairs correspondent and "Face the Nation" moderator Margaret Brennan has the details.

U.S. officials in Ukraine to push for renewed peace talks

Harvard University is opening a new inquiry into faculty connections with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Cam Srivastava, college administration reporter for The Harvard Crimson, joins CBS News with more.

Cambridge

Harvard announces new probe into faculty ties to Jeffrey Epstein

U.S. President Donald Trump has authorized a plan for the CIA in Venezuela, according to a New York Times report. CBS News' Charlie D'Agata has more details.

Trump authorizes plans for CIA covert operation in Venezuela: report

An Israeli strike on the Ain al-Hilweh Palestinian refugee camp in southern Lebanon killed 13 people and wounded several others, the Lebanese Health Ministry said Wednesday. The Israeli military said it struck Hamas militants who it said were operating in a training compound there.

Beirut

Middle East Conflict

Israeli strike on Palestinian refugee camp in Lebanon kills 13

The Epstein files bill is expected to reach President Donald Trump's desk for his signature on Wednesday (November 19). CBS News' Taurean Small reports.

Trump set to sign bill to release Epstein files

Microsoft and Nvidia plan to invest a combined $15 billion into Anthropic. Bloomberg Intelligence's Mandeep Singh discusses why two of the biggest backers of OpenAI are putting money into its rival.

San Francisco

Microsoft, Nvidia to invest up to $15 billion in Anthropic

Hamas rejects the US-drafted UN resolution for a Gaza ceasefire and international stabilisation force.

New York

UN Security Council vote: Hamas rejects Gaza 'peace resolution'

President Trump welcomed Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman to the White House on Tuesday. The two leaders announced a boost in Saudi Arabia's planned investment in the U.S., from $600 billion to nearly $1 trillion.

Trump, MBS announce boost in Saudi investment to U.S.

President Donald Trump hosted Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the White House on Tuesday, with the Saudi de facto ruler seeking to further rehabilitate his global image after the 2018 killing of U.S.-based journalist Jamal Khashoggi and deepen ties with Washington.

Trump hosts Saudi crown prince for pomp-filled, deal-making visit

The Senate, through the process of unanimous consent, agreed to send the bill to President Trump's desk for his signature without any amendments once it's received from the House.

Senate to send Epstein files bill to Trump's desk for signature

The House has approved a bill that would require the Justice Department to release files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The bill, which received bipartisan support, now awaits consideration in the Senate.

House passes bill that would force release of Jeffrey Epstein files

Hopes for a strong G20 declaration on climate and debt relief are slim as South Africa readies to host the summit from Saturday (November 22). Global tensions and a boycott by the United States threaten to overshadow the gathering.

Johannesburg

South Africa readies for G20 despite U.S. boycott

At least one person is dead and three others were injured after an attack in the West Bank, Israeli forces said. Meanwhile, the United Nations Security Council backed the U.S. plan for Gaza. CBS News' Ramy Inocencio has the latest.

Jerusalem

Tensions escalate as U.N. Security Council backs Trump's plan for Gaza

U.S. President Donald Trump will host Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the White House, his first visit since Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi was killed in 2018. The crown prince has denied any involvement.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman visiting White House

The sale of the fighter jets is one of several major deals between the two countries expected to be announced during the visit.

Trump says he will sell F-35 jets to Saudi Arabia

The U.K. government has proposed a major overhaul of its asylum rules, making it easier to deport people and quadruple the amount of time it takes to become a permanent resident.

London

U.K. introduces tougher laws for asylum seekers

In a blistering opinion, a federal judge in Virginia accused Justice Department prosecutor Lindsay Halligan of misconduct, saying there was a "disturbing pattern of profound investigative missteps."

Virginia

DOJ accused of 'profound investigative missteps' in Comey case

The United Nations Security Council has voted to adopt a U.S. resolution outlining President Trump's peace plan for post-war Gaza. CBS News senior foreign correspondent Holly Williams has the details.

U.N. Security Council adopts U.S. resolution on Gaza plan

The aircraft carrier USS Gerald Ford has arrived in the Caribbean, giving the United States the ability to strike inside Venezuela if President Trump gives the order. The U.S. has also sent thousands of troops to the region.

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President Trump now says Republicans should vote to release all of the files related to the federal investigation into convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. CBS News' Olivia Rinaldi and Nikole Killion have the latest on what could happen next.

Trump's Epstein files reversal comes amid pressure from allies

Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk has called an explosion on a railway line “an unprecedented act of sabotage.” Donald Tusk did not say who he believed had carried out the attack, but a government minister said "foreign intelligence agencies" were responsible.

Warsaw

Railway line blast in Poland ‘unprecedented act of sabotage’

Ukrainian President Zelenskyy signed a landmark deal in Paris on Monday to buy 100 Rafale jets, drones, and air defense systems from France.

Paris

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The Federal Aviation Administration ended mandated cuts in domestic flights at 40 major U.S. airports, easing restrictions that had been imposed over air traffic control concerns during the federal shutdown.

FAA ends mandated cuts in domestic U.S. flights

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to oppose any attempt to establish a Palestinian state, a day before the UN Security Council will vote on a U.S.-drafted resolution on Gaza that leaves the door open to Palestinian independence.

Tel Aviv-Yafo

Netanyahu insists there can be no Palestinian state ahead of UN vote

A Bangladesh court sentenced ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to death for crimes against humanity on Monday (November 17), concluding a months-long trial that found her guilty of ordering a deadly crackdown on a student-led uprising last year.

Dhaka

Bangladesh's ousted PM sentenced to death for protest crackdown

President Donald Trump now appears to support the release of all Jeffrey Epstein files as the House of Representatives readies for a vote on the matter. CBS News' Natalie Brand reports.

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