Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is now heading the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This month, he made waves again when he announced his plans to overhaul the childhood vaccine schedule. In a recent meeting with Susan Monarez, Kennedy revealed his plans to do just that. Despite saying this, he lambasted the CDC and its staff for their current down. His claims about vaccine safety and efficacy have drawn outrage from public health leaders and advocacy organizations across the country.
During the meeting, Kennedy referred to the CDC as “the most corrupt federal agency in the world” and described its employees as “horrible people.” He continually deflected the focus. He called into question the agency’s credibility and the safety of vaccines in children. Monarez, who has since raised alarms about Kennedy’s leadership, reported that he did not provide any scientific data to justify his proposed alterations to the vaccine schedule.
Kennedy followed this guidance with orders that Monarez make contact with Aaron Siri, a legal supporter in long-standing skirmishes with vaccine defenders. This new recommendation represents a significant turning point in the CDC’s focus. It’s beginning to appear that legal and political agendas are increasingly driving their decisions ahead of the scientific evidence. Monarez was frank in addressing that Kennedy’s apparent dearth of empirical evidence to back up his assertions was deeply concerning.
“He did not have any data or science to point to,” – Susan Monarez
In Kennedy’s short tenure, we’ve already witnessed a reversal of fortune within CDC advisory panel. He kicked out the old members and put in new ones. Yet, many of these same newcomers have raised doubts about COVID-19 vaccines and vaccination mandates. Critics say that this decision jeopardizes the very integrity of the CDC’s work. They say it distracts the agency from its aggravatingly central mission of protecting public health.
Monarez shared that Kennedy had discussions with President Trump about changing the vaccine schedule going forward. That conversation took place long before she was rightfully ousted from her post. This begs the question, why are these proposed changes being made, implying a political angle that is separate from the scientific reasoning.
“CDC had never collected the science or the data to make it available related to the safety or efficacy,” – Susan Monarez
Kennedy followed with several specific actions, such as sending a contractor in to access the Vaccine Safety Datalink. This database has been invaluable for studying vaccine safety. Monarez warned that Kennedy’s approach is dangerous due to its opacity, lack of transparency and scientific support. She cautioned that if unchecked, his actions would put public trust in vaccines at risk. Vaccines are the key to stopping future outbreaks of vaccine preventable infectious diseases like COVID.
Kennedy’s assertions concerning CDC employees were alarming. Monarez went on to say that he accused CDC staff of conspiring to damage children’s health by putting pharmaceuticals above the public health. Similar remarks have been fiercely criticized by public health experts who worry they could discourage vaccination.
“He said that CDC employees were killing children and they don’t care. He said that CDC employees were bought by the pharmaceutical industry,” – Susan Monarez
Despite Kennedy’s controversial assertions, Kush Desai, a spokesperson for the agency, clarified that neither Kennedy nor Trump advocated for completely discarding the childhood vaccine schedule or limiting access to lifesaving vaccines. As Desai told us, conversations about vaccine safety need to be based on the facts.
“No one, including Secretary Kennedy and President Trump, is calling to throw out the entire childhood vaccine schedule or eliminate access to lifesaving vaccines. Anyone suggesting that such actions are even on the table does not know what they are talking about,” – Kush Desai
The ongoing controversy surrounding Kennedy’s leadership raises significant concerns about the direction of the CDC under his watch. As health experts became increasingly concerned, they know that political decisions have the power to undermine public health efforts that have worked to protect children from preventable diseases.
Critics are especially concerned that Kennedy’s history of challenging vaccine-related issues may influence his administration’s policies. His past opposition to vaccines, including those for polio, is troubling. It raises doubts about just how committed he is to using scientific data and following established public health practices.
“It was hard sometimes to follow the logic that he was putting forward,” – Susan Monarez
As negotiation takes place over Kennedy’s yet-to-be-introduced legislation, public health officials are asking everyone to proceed with extreme caution. They further argue that health policies should be guided by the best available scientific evidence—not personal beliefs or political agendas.
