RFK Jr.’s Senate Testimony Highlights Shift on Vaccines and Health Agenda

Emily MullinScienceJan 31, 2025 12:30 PMRobert F. Kennedy Jr. faced scrutiny during his confirmation hearings this week for the position of President Donald Trump’s secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, as his past anti-vaccine views clashed with his new promises to promote vaccination efforts. Throughout the hearings, Kennedy attempted to assure senators of his support for vaccines, emphasizing his “Make America Healthy Again” agenda to address chronic diseases. Despite his bipartisan positions on health issues like obesity, Kennedy’s confirmation may ultimately depend on his stance on vaccines. The Senate Finance Committee is set to vote next week on advancing his nomination to the full Senate, which will have the final say on his confirmation. If approved, Kennedy would oversee a vast agency with a $1.7 trillion budget, including crucial health organizations like the CDC and FDA.