Fake CDC Website Spreads Vaccine Misinformation, Raising Legal Concerns
2025-03-23
A website mimicking the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is spreading false and misleading claims about vaccines, using CDC logos, social media links, and authoritative language. Hosted by an NGO whose leader was the HHS Secretary until December 2024, the site raises serious legal concerns under federal impersonation statutes. It uses parental testimonials and selectively cited scientific arguments to support its claims, potentially misleading the public and undermining trust. The HHS Secretary's awareness and response to this apparent conflict of interest and potential violation of federal law remain unclear.