## defiant RFK Jr. Questions Vaccine Data, Defends Record Under Bipartisan Senate Grilling
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. faced a challenging confirmation hearing before the Senate Health, Education, Labor & Pensions Committee on Thursday, defending his vaccine policies and record while fielding criticism from both sides of the aisle. The hearing centered on Kennedy’s stance on vaccine safety, access, and data, as well as his recent personnel decisions at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The hearing was sparked, in part, by claims from former CDC Director Susan Monarez, who alleged she was forced out after refusing to recommend individuals “who have publicly expressed antivaccine rhetoric” for a key vaccine advisory panel. Kennedy directly disputed Monarez’s account, stating she was untrustworthy when he asked her directly, and claiming she told him, “no.” He asserted that the changes at the CDC were “absolutely necessary” and that his administration had “depoliticized it and put great scientists on it from a very diverse group, very, very pro-vaccine.”
During questioning, Senator Bill Cassidy, a physician, challenged Kennedy on recent policy changes that have limited access to COVID-19 vaccines. Cassidy cited a report from a physician freind indicating that patients 65 and older now require a prescription to receive a COVID-19 shot. “I would say effectively we are denying people vaccines,” Cassidy stated. Kennedy responded, “You’re wrong.”
New federal guidelines, approved last week, require adults younger than 65 who are otherwise healthy to consult with a healthcare provider before vaccination, a move that has demonstrably made it more tough to access the COVID-19 vaccine.
Kennedy also faced questions regarding the efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccines. when asked if he knew how many lives the vaccines had saved, he admitted, “I have no idea how many lives it saved, but it saved quite a few,” citing “data chaos” within the federal agency.This statement contrasts with research estimating that nearly 20 million lives were saved by the COVID-19 vaccines in their first year of availability.
The hearing also touched on Kennedy’s views on past administration efforts. He surprisingly stated, “Absolutely,” when asked by Cassidy if he believed President Trump deserved a Nobel Prize for Operation Warp Speed, the initiative that accelerated the development of COVID-19 vaccines and treatments. Cassidy expressed surprise, noting Kennedy’s seeming efforts to restrict vaccine access and his decision to cancel $500 million in contracts for mRNA vaccine technology development – a key component of Operation Warp Speed.
Kennedy’s positions have drawn important reaction beyond Capitol Hill. Over 1,000 employees at the health agency and national health organizations have called for his resignation. In response, Florida announced plans to become the first state to end all vaccine mandates, including for schoolchildren. California, Washington, and oregon have formed an alliance to address concerns about the federal public health agency, focusing on ensuring public access to credible vaccine information.
Despite the criticism, Kennedy maintained his stance, stating, “I am not going to sign on to something if I can’t make it with scientific certainty.It doesn’t mean I am antivax, it just means I am pro-science.” He reiterated his commitment to ensuring the public has access to reliable information regarding vaccine safety and efficacy.