Spreading misinformation, and being borderline racist and discriminatory, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. is well-known for his actions, as he has spent decades creating myths and fears about vaccines and how they cause autism.
He voiced skepticism that HIV causes AIDS, and he’s suggested a link between school shootings and the growing use of antidepressants. Now, this same person is the head of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), with a vow to shift the federal government’s focus from infectious diseases toward an “epidemic” of chronic diseases, such as obesity and autoimmune conditions—with a particular focus on processed foods and chemical exposures.
On Feb 13, after a spirited meeting with the Senate, RFK Jr. was confirmed as the secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services in a 52-48 vote, but this confirmation has scared many in government seats and the public. “With his history of criticizing health officials and information given to the public, we can expect him to make several changes to vaccine advisory panels, vaccine science departments, and reorganized FDA and USDA protocols.”
Isabella Cueto, a chronic disease reporter at STAT, said during a health webinar about what plans to expect from RFK Jr. “He’s going to have a broad reach with all his connections and resources at his disposal now. His challenging of current medical research and knowledge will encourage certain groups as he permeates the medical and scientific culture.”
One of the criticism from the public is RFK Jr.’s anti-vaccine message, which senators questioned during his confirmation. He stated, ‘Everybody should have a freedom of choice with the vaccine,’ and that he would make a list of vaccines that are mandatory and a list of vaccines that are options.’ Both responses were met with confusion from certain senators.
“I’m worried that the anti-science movement will make people not take advantage of all the tools that we have,” said Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, an infectious diseases specialist at the University of California, San Francisco.
Eleven million fewer doses of the flu vaccine were taken in 2024. “We’re seeing the results in the numbers of virus infections.” Chin-Hong said, noting that the H1N1 strain of flu can be effectively stopped with a vaccine because it’s a more recent virus. The H3N2 strain is harder to control with vaccines.
“It’s not clear how much of what Mr. Kennedy is saying is just hype and words and how much is going to be action,” said virologist Dr. Ben Neuman, a professor of biology at Texas A&M University. “But I can confidently say that if he carries out everything he says, it would gut the infectious disease research landscape in the United States of America.”