Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Faces Backlash Over Potential Role as HHS Secretary

Kennedy's history of spreading vaccine misinformation raises concerns about public health and education as Senate confirmation looms.

More than 75 Nobel laureates have urged the Senate to reject Kennedy's nomination, citing his anti-vaccine stance and its potential impact on public health policy.
Kennedy has a long history of promoting debunked claims about vaccines, including linking them to autism and criticizing the CDC's recommended vaccine schedule.
Public health experts warn that Kennedy's leadership at HHS could undermine vaccine confidence, weaken immunization policies, and reverse decades of progress in disease prevention.
Childhood vaccination rates have already declined in recent years, with outbreaks of preventable diseases like measles and whooping cough increasing in unvaccinated populations.
Critics are also concerned about the broader implications of Kennedy's potential appointment, including its alignment with conservative efforts to weaken public education and promote distrust in science.