It plays a big role in deciding which vaccines kids and adults get routinely, what's covered by insurance and which shots are made available free to low-income kids.

Kennedy has said his agency will explore possible causes of autism and plans to release findings by September. The CDC estimates that 1 in 31 8-year-olds nationwide had autism in 2022. Scientists say the rise may owe to several factors, including better diagnosis, older parents and genetics, The Wall Street Journal said.