Overview

• Kennedy has publicly endorsed the measles vaccine for the first time, as the U.S. faces its worst outbreak in years, with over 700 cases and multiple deaths reported.
• Critics, including former FDA official Dr. Peter Marks, accuse Kennedy of undermining vaccine confidence while giving 'false hope' with his promise to identify the cause of autism by September.
• Kennedy's autism research initiative has drawn sharp criticism for relying on discredited figures and pursuing debunked theories about vaccines and autism.
• Significant workforce cuts and restructuring under Kennedy's leadership at the CDC and FDA have raised concerns about the weakening of public health infrastructure.
• Experts warn that Kennedy's contradictory messaging on vaccines and controversial policy decisions risk exacerbating preventable disease outbreaks and undermining public trust in science.