Kennedy

## 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.