Official report or statement from the Department of Health and Human Services

Trump Nominates RFK Jr. to Investigate Vaccine-Autism Link at HHS, Raising Public Health Concerns

Dec 8, 2024, 02:53 PM

President-elect Donald Trump has nominated Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), a move that has sparked significant concern within the public health community. Kennedy, known for his skepticism towards vaccines and his endorsement of conspiracy theories, has been tasked with investigating the potential link between childhood vaccines and autism, among other health issues. Trump has expressed support for this investigation, stating that if vaccines are found to be harmful, they should be eliminated. This nomination has raised alarms among health experts, who worry about the implications of Kennedy's views on public health policy, his history of false statements, and his beliefs in debunked conspiracy theories. There are also concerns regarding his positions on federal food regulations and the potential impact on the nation's public health agencies.