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Trump Open to Vaccine Debate, Cites Rising Autism Rates and RFK Jr.'s Research Plans

Dec 12, 2024, 02:03 PM

President-elect Donald Trump has expressed openness to a significant discussion about the future of childhood vaccination programs if Robert F. Kennedy Jr., his nominee for Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), pursues changes. In an interview with TIME magazine, Trump stated he would consider removing specific childhood vaccines if they are deemed dangerous or not beneficial. He also indicated support for Kennedy's plans to investigate potential links between vaccines and autism, a topic Kennedy has long advocated for. Trump highlighted the rising autism rates, citing CDC data showing one in 36 children in the U.S. is diagnosed with autism today, compared to one in 150 in 2000, suggesting further investigation is warranted. Kennedy, a known vaccine safety advocate and former chairman of Children’s Health Defense, has been tasked with leading reforms at agencies under HHS, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH), should he secure Senate confirmation.