During Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s confirmation hearing for the Department of Health and Human Services, senators questioned the environmental lawyer on his opinions regarding vaccines, abortion, pesticides, and Lyme disease.
Senators raised concerns about Kennedy’s stance on vaccines, which contradicts the established views of the public health community and mainstream scientific consensus based on robust scientific research. Despite mentioning his support for vaccines during the hearing, his previous statements have indicated otherwise.
The nominee was also questioned about his past comments, including claiming that pesticides cause children to become transgender.
In addition to vaccines, senators inquired about Kennedy’s past support for abortion rights during his time as a Democrat and a potential presidential candidate in 2024. Contradictorily, recent remarks revealed his alignment with President Donald Trump’s anti-abortion views, suggesting that he believes individual states should decide on abortion laws.
Here are a few medical claims made by Kennedy that are missing context or include falsehoods:
Claim: CDC approved COVID-19 vaccines “without any scientific basis.”
Context: COVID vaccines are among the most studied vaccines in history, with large clinical studies showing the health benefits far exceed any potential risks.
Claim: Kennedy says he had nothing to do with the measles outbreak in American Samoa
Context: The 2019 measles outbreak led to more than 5,700 cases and 83 deaths. The Ministry of Health cited Kennedy’s visit and rhetoric as exacerbating vaccine hesitancy at a crucial moment, according to a publication from The Lancet.
In response to the nomination of Kennedy as HHS Secretary, Samoas director general of health, Aiono Prof Alec Ekeroma, told The Guardian, We cannot and should not stay silent. We know what this appointment means. It means more platforms for anti-vaxxers and less funding for vaccines and health programs.
It must be treated as a threat to our health security, Ekeroma said.
The 2019 measles outbreak led to more than 5,700 cases and 83 deaths. The Ministry of Health cited Kennedy’s visit and rhetoric as exacerbating vaccine hesitancy at a crucial moment
Claim: Kennedy: ‘I probably did say, Lyme disease is “highly likely a militarily engineered bioweapon”‘
Context: Lyme disease is caused by a type of bacteria and spreads through the bite of blacklegged ticks, according to the CDC.
Claim: Kennedy says he has never claimed pesticides lead children to become transgender
Context: Kennedy has repeatedly suggested environmental toxins, including those in drinking water, are linked to gender identify in children. These claims are unfounded.
Claim Sen. James Lankford: The FDA has discouraged people from submitting safety reports about abortion medication mifepristone unless the person died.
Context: Anyone is welcome to submit a safety report on any medication using a publicly available database.
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