Robert F. Kennedy Jr. addressed a conference on children’s health on Wednesday. The health secretary told attendees they have an ally in the White House. His remarks came at an event that featured false claims about vaccines.
The conference included a speaker who called the polio vaccine’s success a fraud. Polio was largely eliminated in the United States after widespread vaccination began in 1955. Health experts reject the fraud claim as false.
Kennedy has a long history of questioning vaccine safety. He founded an advocacy group that has challenged vaccine requirements. As health secretary, he now oversees federal public health agencies.
The event drew an audience of parents and activists skeptical of standard immunizations. Several speakers repeated debunked theories linking vaccines to chronic illness. Mainstream research has found no such link.
Kennedy’s speech emphasized his commitment to addressing their concerns. He said the administration would review federal vaccine guidance. He did not announce specific policy changes during the appearance.
Public health officials warn that misinformation can reduce vaccination rates. Lower coverage has already led to measles outbreaks in some communities. Nearly all reported measles cases occur among unvaccinated people.
The conference marks another flashpoint in the national debate over vaccine policy. Kennedy’s role gives vaccine skeptics an unusual platform in the federal government. His statements are likely to draw scrutiny from medical organizations.
