ASF Statement on Senator Sanders’ Call for HELP Committee Hearing on Vaccines and Autism

New York, NY — March 17, 2026 — The Autism Science Foundation applauds Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (“HELP”), for calling for a hearing to set the record straight on autism research and clarify that vaccines are safe and effective and do not cause autism.

Senator Sanders today sent a letter to HELP Committee Chairman Bill Cassidy (R-LA), requesting a hearing to highlight the bipartisan agreement between the Chairman and Ranking Member on the dangers of vaccine-preventable diseases and reaffirming the scientific consensus that vaccines are safe, effective, and do not cause autism. The letter also warns that the spread of debunked claims by federal health agencies is putting public health at risk and underscores the urgent need for a hearing to confront misinformation and uphold scientific integrity in federal health policy.

“A HELP Committee hearing aimed at correcting misinformation around autism and vaccines would be a great service to families of people with autism and to new parents who may be withholding vaccines from their children out of fear, despite overwhelming scientific evidence to the contrary,” said Alison Singer, President of the Autism Science Foundation.

About the Autism Science Foundation

The Autism Science Foundation (ASF) is a 501(c)(3) public charity. Its mission is to fund breakthrough research that will improve the lives of people with autism. To learn more about the Autism Science Foundation or to make a donation, visit www.autismsciencefoundation.org.

Media Contact:

CJ Volpe

cvolpe@autismsciencefoundation.org