Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s previous comments about vaccines are making the rounds on social media ahead of his Senate confirmation hearing on Wednesday
Newsweek reached out to Kennedy via email for comment.
Why It Matters
President Donald Trump’s decision to tap Kennedy as his secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has been controversial for several reasons, including his criticism of vaccines.
Kennedy has said he is not against all vaccines but is critical of vaccinations. He is on leave as the chair of the anti-vaccine group Children’s Health Defense and has repeated the debunked claim that vaccines cause autism. He also told podcaster Lex Fridman that there are no safe and effective vaccines, breaking from the overwhelming scientific consensus.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. meets with Sen. John Cornyn (not pictured) in Washington D.C., on January 9, 2025. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. meets with Sen. John Cornyn (not pictured) in Washington D.C., on January 9, 2025. AP
He has said he would not ban vaccines if confirmed as HHS secretary, telling NBC News in November 2024 that
RFK Jr.’s Vaccine Comments Flood Internet Ahead of Confirmation Hearing
