Trump Nominates RFK Jr. to Lead HHS Amid Controversy Over His 2021 FDA Petition to Revoke Covid Vaccine Authorization

Jan 17, 2025, 10:00 PM

President-elect Donald Trump has nominated Robert F. Kennedy Jr., known for his anti-vaccine stance, to lead the Department of Health and Human Services. Kennedy petitioned the FDA in May 2021 to revoke the authorization of all Covid vaccines during a critical phase of the pandemic. At the time, the vaccines were in high demand and considered life-saving, having already saved an estimated 140,000 lives in the U.S. The petition, filed on behalf of Kennedy's nonprofit, Children’s Health Defense, argued that the risks of the vaccines outweighed their benefits and claimed that alternative treatments like ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine were effective, despite these being deemed ineffective against the virus. The FDA denied the petition within months. Kennedy's nomination has sparked controversy, with critics citing his history of spreading vaccine conspiracy theories and his actions during the pandemic as reasons for concern over his suitability for the role.