For the last twenty years, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has made a lot of noise causing public fear with his false and deceptive statements regarding vaccines. His main obsession is thimerosal, a mercury-based preservative. His remarks have ignited a firestorm of criticism from public health advocates, as he rails against vaccines across the board while pushing ineffective alternative treatments. His recent deeds and misstatements have raised alarms. They stand poised to greatly influence the United States’ public health and vaccine confidence climates.
Kennedy, a longtime environmental attorney and prominent vaccine skeptic, has helped spread the discredited theory that vaccines are responsible for autism for decades. For example, he has argued that the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine is a “leaky vaccine,” one that degrades in effectiveness over time. He has misleadingly claimed that it fell short of undergoing full safety testing. In a dramatic turnaround, he now supports the MMR vaccine. His contradictory and false claims about its safety continue to cast doubt and confusion over parents and public health officials’ concerns.
Misleading Claims and Alternative Remedies
For more than two decades now, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has spread the myth that thimerosal is dangerous. His unending claims over the years have fueled a mistrust in vaccines that has spread like wildfire among various demographics.
Kennedy has recommended cod liver oil as an alternative treatment for measles. This assertion has no scientific basis. He all but crusades for the use of Budesonide, a steroid, and Clarithromycin, an antibiotic, as an alternative magic cure to viral infection. This misguided approach replaces evidence-based practice with anecdote and distraction.
“Injecting any amount of mercury into children when safe, mercury-free alternatives exist defies common sense and public health responsibility.” – Robert F Kennedy Jr.
One controversial stance, offering Vitamin A delivery to communities as an inexpensive and effective alternative to vaccine campaigns. These very different recommendations have caused many health professionals to worry about the damaging effects of an effort to undermine effective and proven vaccination outreach strategies.
Changes in Health Policy Under Kennedy’s Leadership
Over the past several months, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has created a ruckus over at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). He has gone so far as to sack 17 members of the vaccine advisory committee. He hand-picked new appointees, a move that some critics say circumvents the integrity of the advisory process.
Kennedy’s administration has recently made bold and important moves with these vaccine contracts. In May, he terminated a contract worth almost $600 million for the production of an mRNA bird flu vaccine. He canceled nearly $500 million in mRNA vaccine contracts. Together, these moves have led many to wonder where vaccine development is heading under his leadership.
“We’re going to bring people onto the ACIP panel, not anti-vaxxers; we’re bringing people on who are credentialed scientists.” – Robert F Kennedy Jr.
At first blush, these highly controversial decisions make Kennedy’s pledge of “radical transparency” at HHS seem disingenuous at best. He is committed to ensuring all Americans have access to information and treatment options. This is even true for those people who make the active choice not to vaccinate. His administration’s ongoing mixed messaging is still creating a lot of unnecessary confusion for the traveling public.
Reactions from Public Health Experts
Kennedy’s statements and policies have been widely condemned by public health experts. Dr. Brewer, a national leader in this area, underscored the need for scientific data to build trust and confidence. He noted the discrepancies in current data sources compared to prior years and highlighted how misinformation can adversely impact public health initiatives.
“What we should do is trust the science. We are going to do the science and the science is going to be replicable and it’s going to be gold standard.” – Robert F Kennedy Jr.
Dr. Brewer had some strong words against the return of these outdated vaccine debates that pull the focus from our most pressing health issues. New misinformation can easily jeopardize years of public health work, he noted.
“We need to not be rehashing all this old stuff and replacing it with misinformation and lies.” – Dr. Brewer
Experts emphasize that high-level and united messaging from public health authorities will go a long way in keeping the public’s trust about vaccines.
