WASHINGTON — The individual aspiring to be President Donald Trump’s health secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has been vocal in requesting “data” and “science” that supports vaccine safety. However, when a prominent Republican senator presented him with evidence, Kennedy dismissed it outright.
Throughout two days of discussions with senators, Kennedy asserted that he is not anti-vaccine. He emphasized his commitment to vaccinations and his intention to rely on scientific data while managing the $1.7 trillion Department of Health and Human Services, which oversees vaccine research, approval, and recommendations.
Nonetheless, Kennedy consistently ignored the established scientific consensus that links childhood vaccines to autism and asserted that COVID-19 vaccines have not proven to save lives. He also incorrectly claimed that the government lacks a reliable vaccine safety monitoring system. In his arguments, he referenced questionable research to support his claims, such as suggesting that Black people might require different vaccines than their white counterparts.
These claims have alarmed health experts, who are concerned about Kennedy’s grasp of essential scientific principles. They worry that his stance could undermine public confidence in vaccines, potentially paving the way for a resurgence of diseases that have been largely controlled, thus endangering children.
“He tends to overlook established science, selectively referencing often dubious studies,” noted Dr. Sean O’Leary from the American Academy of Pediatrics.
“Kennedy has shown a significant lack of understanding of critical evidence and scientific principles necessary for such a role,” commented Dr. Georges Benjamin of the American Public Health Association.
For many medical professionals, the science regarding vaccines is quite straightforward, a sentiment echoed by Senator Bill Cassidy, a physician from Louisiana. He affirmed the safety of measles and other childhood vaccines, clarifying that there is no link to autism.
When Cassidy provided Kennedy with unequivocal scientific evidence stating that vaccines do not cause autism, Kennedy attempted to counter this by citing a recent paper identified by outside experts as fundamentally flawed. Cassidy acknowledged that while the paper has its issues, it does not negate the decades of rigorous research supporting vaccine safety.
The senator expressed his concern about Kennedy’s history of casting doubts on vaccination through misleading arguments, which could tarnish President Trump’s legacy by risking lives due to vaccine-preventable diseases should he become secretary.
Senator Maggie Hassan, a Democrat from New Hampshire, warned of the negative repercussions that can arise from “re-litigating and churning settled science,” claiming it diverts essential resources and time away from finding the true causes of autism.
Kennedy also dismissed established evidence that COVID-19 vaccines have saved countless lives. He claimed there’s a lack of proper surveillance to confirm the vaccines’ safety and effectiveness, despite the U.S. implementing several monitoring systems. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention actively tracks vaccine safety, even using international databases to support the claims of mRNA vaccine safety during the pandemic.
“If you’re applying for the position, you should have this information,” stated Democratic Senator Bernie Sanders from Vermont. “The scientific consensus is that COVID vaccines saved millions of lives, yet you continue to sow doubt about them.”
When asked about his stance on the HPV vaccine, which can prevent a substantial number of cancer cases, including 4,000 deaths annually, Kennedy did not provide a straightforward answer. Instead, he referenced an ongoing litigation matter, suggesting that a jury—comprised of non-experts—would ultimately determine the validity of such claims.
Senator Angela Alsobrooks, representing Maryland, questioned Kennedy’s previous remarks implying that Black individuals might require a different vaccination schedule compared to white individuals. She pressed him on how this would apply to her own vaccination experience.
Kennedy referenced older studies suggesting an increased immune response to certain vaccines among Black individuals; however, vaccination guidelines are based on biological factors rather than race, considering aspects such as age and specific disease risks. Studies indicate that Black Americans may exhibit more hesitation than whites regarding particular vaccines.
“That is profoundly dangerous,” Alsobrooks reacted sharply to Kennedy’s assertions.
Dr. Amesh Adalja from the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security remarked that there is no scientific basis requiring different vaccination schedules based on race. Claims like these may mislead certain demographics into believing they do not need to adhere to the recommended vaccine schedules.
