Overview

• At a Senate hearing, Kennedy claimed there were no studies showing how many lives COVID vaccines saved, a statement contradicted by multiple peer-reviewed analyses.
• Nine former CDC directors wrote that "Kennedy endangers the health of all Americans" and accused him of dismissing staff and weakening key prevention programs.
• He has cut roughly $500 million from mRNA respiratory-vaccine research, prompting warnings about diminished capacity to respond to future pandemics.
• Kennedy removed CDC director Susan Monarez only weeks into her tenure and has installed a new vaccine commission with skeptics to reassess recommended shots.
• A U.S. measles outbreak has surpassed 1,400 cases with three deaths this year, as Florida leaders propose eliminating state vaccine requirements and label mandates "immoral."