RFK Jr. Faces Scrutiny Over Vaccine Policies and Climate Health Cuts as New HHS Secretary

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s early actions at the Department of Health and Human Services signal potential shifts in public health priorities, including vaccine research and defunding NIH climate health programs.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., newly confirmed as Secretary of Health and Human Services, announced a commission to review childhood vaccination schedules and other public health factors linked to chronic diseases.
Despite assurances during his confirmation hearings to uphold CDC vaccine recommendations, Kennedy's commission raises concerns about potential policy changes in the future.
On his second day in office, Kennedy ended HHS funding for NIH programs addressing the health impacts of climate change, citing a Trump executive order reversing prior climate initiatives.
Public health agencies like NIH and CDC face ongoing disruptions, including budget cuts and staffing challenges, under Kennedy's leadership.
Critics worry that Kennedy's history of anti-vaccine rhetoric and the rollback of climate health programs could undermine decades of public health progress.