Analysis by major health policy think tanks or reports in major news outlets

Trump Backs Polio Vaccine, Opposes Mandates Amid RFK Jr.'s Appointment

Dec 16, 2024, 05:23 PM

President-elect Donald Trump expressed his support for the polio vaccine during a press conference at his Mar-a-Lago resort, stating he is a 'big believer' in it. Despite his endorsement, Trump voiced opposition to mandatory vaccination policies, particularly in schools. His comments come at a time when his choice for Health and Human Services Secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has been criticized for his anti-vaccine stance. Kennedy, who has previously spread misleading information about vaccines, has an ally in Aaron Siri, who filed a petition to limit or withdraw approval for the polio vaccine. Trump, however, assured that the polio vaccine would not be lost under his administration, emphasizing its importance while still advocating for a review of all vaccines. Trump believes that RFK Jr. will be 'much less radical' than expected and has an open mind, and he reiterated his stance against vaccine mandates, stating, 'I don’t like mandates. I’m not a big mandate person.'