Did RFK Jr. Fulfill His Promises at HHS?
On February 13, 2025, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was inaugurated as the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) in the Oval Office. Since taking office, his tenure has been marked by unmet commitments related to vaccine policies and funding, stirring concerns among various stakeholders.
Did RFK Jr. Fulfill His Promises at HHS?
During his confirmation, Kennedy faced intense scrutiny from U.S. senators regarding his history as an anti-vaccine activist. His confirmation was narrowly secured after he made several pledges focused on vaccine funding and recommendations.
Key Promises Made During Confirmation Hearings
- Kennedy assured senators he would uphold the childhood vaccine schedule.
- He asserted support for vaccines, claiming all his children were vaccinated.
- Senator Bill Cassidy confirmed that Kennedy pledged to retain existing CDC vaccine recommendations.
Despite these assurances, new developments raise questions about Kennedy’s adherence to his commitments.
Changes in Vaccine Advisory Panel
Shortly after assuming his role, Kennedy dismissed all existing members of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and replaced them with individuals sharing his skepticism towards certain vaccines. This shift led to major alterations in vaccine recommendations.
- In March 2026, the CDC revised its guidelines and removed universal recommendations for seven vaccines, including those for COVID-19 and flu.
- These vaccines are now recommended only for children with high-risk factors or under physician consultation.
Funding Cuts to Vaccine Programs
Following Kennedy’s appointment, the CDC rescinded $11 billion in COVID-era grants intended for vaccination programs. This was a direct contradiction to his commitment made during the Senate hearings.
- Kennedy answered affirmatively to a question about not diverting vaccine funding.
- The National Institutes of Health also discontinued several grants focused on vaccine hesitancy research.
- Kennedy ordered the cancellation of $500 million in mRNA vaccine research in August 2025.
The Autism Controversy
During the confirmation process, Kennedy guaranteed that the CDC would not remove statements asserting that vaccines do not cause autism. Although the original statements remain, new wording has appeared, casting doubt on vaccine safety.
- The updated CDC webpage misleadingly claims that studies have not definitively ruled out a link between vaccines and autism.
- This contradicts decades of scientific evidence affirming no connection between the two.
The debate around Kennedy’s actions continues to unfold, prompting skepticism about his adherence to the promises made to Congress during his confirmation. The implications for public health and vaccination efforts remain significant.
