RFK Jr.'s Unfulfilled Pledges as Health Secretary: A Year in Review

A year into his role as Health and Human Services Secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has reportedly not honored many of the assurances he gave to U.S. senators during his confirmation. These promises were crucial in securing his narrow approval as head of the Department of Health and Human Services, particularly given his past as an outspoken critic of vaccines. His tenure has been marked by significant shifts in vaccine policy and public health messaging.

During his January 2025 confirmation hearings, Kennedy repeatedly affirmed his support for childhood vaccinations, citing his own children's immunization status. Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts expressed strong concerns about Kennedy's potential financial gains from lawsuits against vaccine manufacturers, accusing him of intending to profit from policies that could ease such legal actions. She dramatically stated that "kids might die, but Robert Kennedy can keep cashing in." In response, Kennedy explicitly declared, "Senator, I support vaccines. I support the childhood schedule. I will do that."

Following these assurances, Senator Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, a Republican and chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, publicly stated that Kennedy had vowed to maintain existing vaccine recommendations if confirmed. Cassidy, a medical professional and vaccine proponent, had rigorously questioned Kennedy on his stance. He informed the Senate that Kennedy, if confirmed, would uphold the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) without alteration. However, mere months after his confirmation, Kennedy dismissed all incumbent ACIP members, replacing them with individuals who, like himself, express skepticism about certain vaccines. This overhaul led to a drastic revision of the panel's recommendations.

The CDC recently withdrew its universal recommendations for seven childhood immunizations: those targeting respiratory syncytial virus, meningococcal disease, flu, COVID-19, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and rotavirus. This decision followed a White House directive for the CDC to reassess the immunization schedule. These vaccines, credited with preventing thousands of deaths and millions of illnesses, are now only advised for children at high risk of severe illness or after a joint decision between doctors and parents. In response to inquiries about Kennedy's actions, HHS spokesperson Andrew Nixon stated that the secretary is "continuing to fulfill his commitments" to Senator Cassidy, including accepting Cassidy's recommendations for key agency roles and adopting ACIP recommendations. However, Cassidy's office has consistently avoided questions regarding whether Kennedy has breached his original pledges.

Weeks after Kennedy assumed leadership of the federal health department, the CDC revoked $11 billion in COVID-era grants that local health departments utilized for various programs, including vaccination initiatives. This occurred despite Kennedy's pledge during his confirmation hearings not to diminish vaccine funding. When directly asked by Senator Cassidy, "Do you commit that you will not work to impound, divert, or otherwise reduce any funding appropriated by Congress for the purpose of vaccination programs?" Kennedy responded with a definitive "Yes." A federal judge subsequently mandated HHS to disburse the funds. Additionally, the National Institutes of Health, a component of HHS, rescinded numerous research grants supporting studies on vaccine hesitancy last year. Concurrently, Kennedy ordered the cancellation of half a billion dollars in mRNA vaccine research in August.

Senator Cassidy also stated that Kennedy guaranteed the CDC's website would retain its explanations refuting any link between vaccines and autism. While Kennedy technically kept this promise, new statements appeared on the same webpage late last year, groundlessly raising doubts about vaccine safety. The updated page now misleadingly claims that "The assertion 'vaccines do not cause autism' lacks an evidence-based foundation because studies have not definitively ruled out the possibility that infant vaccines cause autism." It further suggests that the public has largely overlooked studies indicating a connection between vaccines and autism, a claim that is false. Decades of scientific research have consistently demonstrated no correlation between vaccines and autism. A discredited 1998 study, which controversially linked the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine to autism, was later retracted for being fraudulent, but not before contributing to a significant decline in U.S. vaccination rates.

In summary, the past year under Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has witnessed a divergence from the assurances he provided during his confirmation. His administration has overseen a restructuring of the vaccine advisory committee, a shift in childhood immunization guidelines, a reduction in funding for vaccine-related programs, and the introduction of controversial information regarding vaccine safety on official health websites. These actions have raised questions about the commitment to public health protocols and the transparency of government agencies responsible for safeguarding community well-being.