RFK Jr.'s Anti-Vaccine Stance Raises Public Health Concerns Amid HHS Nomination

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s controversial vaccine statements and potential policy changes could jeopardize decades of public health progress in the U.S.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., nominated as Secretary of Health and Human Services, has a long history of making unsupported claims about vaccine safety and efficacy.
Medical experts warn that Kennedy's views and proposed policies, including dismantling a key vaccine advisory committee, could lead to reduced vaccination rates and a resurgence of preventable diseases in the U.S.
Kennedy has falsely linked vaccines to autism and other chronic conditions, despite overwhelming scientific evidence refuting these claims.
Childhood vaccination rates in the U.S. have been declining, with one in six parents delaying or skipping shots for their children, increasing the risk of outbreaks of diseases like measles and whooping cough.
Public health leaders emphasize that high vaccination rates are critical to maintaining herd immunity and preventing the return of diseases once eradicated or controlled in the country.