Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s 2021 Petition to Halt COVID Vaccines Raises Concerns Ahead of HHS Confirmation

Kennedy, nominated by President-elect Trump, faces bipartisan scrutiny for his past anti-vaccine actions and controversial public health positions.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Trump's nominee for Health and Human Services Secretary, filed a 2021 FDA petition to revoke emergency authorization for COVID-19 vaccines during a critical phase of the pandemic.
The petition, submitted through Kennedy's nonprofit Children's Health Defense, also sought to block future COVID-19 vaccine approvals, citing debunked claims about alternative treatments like ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine.
Public health experts have widely credited vaccines with saving millions of lives, while dismissing Kennedy's assertions as scientifically unfounded and harmful.
Kennedy’s confirmation process is expected to be contentious, with bipartisan opposition stemming from his anti-vaccine rhetoric and controversial stances on public health issues, including fluoride use and food safety.
Supporters, including over 300 scientists and figures like Aaron Rodgers, argue Kennedy's focus on health reform and transparency could bring valuable change, though critics remain skeptical of his approach.