Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. urged parents of infants to “conduct your own investigation” before vaccinating their children during a TV interview. He also expressed concerns about the safety of the measles vaccine and made misleading claims questioning the efficacy of vaccines and the objectivity of the Food and Drug Administration.
Kennedy shared his views with talk show host Dr. Phil in a segment aired on MeritTV to commemorate the first 100 days of the Trump administration. He reiterated that “to prevent the spread of measles, the best action is to get vaccinated,” but also emphasized individual choice regarding vaccinations.
He stated, “We live in a democracy, and part of parenting is to research,” in response to a question from an audience member about vaccine safety. He compared researching vaccines to looking into baby strollers and nutritional choices.
The phrase “I did my own research” gained prominence during the coronavirus pandemic, particularly among those opposing vaccinations, primarily from the political left, who used it to ridicule non-vaccinated individuals. It even became a popular meme featured on mock gravestones in Halloween displays in liberal areas.
The Department of Health and Human Services did not provide immediate feedback regarding the interview.
Kennedy made these assertions amid the largest measles outbreak in the U.S. in approximately 25 years, which has resulted in the deaths of two children and one adult.
Dr. Paul Offit, a pediatrician and vaccine expert at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, acknowledged that skepticism regarding vaccines is reasonable. However, he warned that parents should be cautious when choosing their information sources.
“Doing your own research should involve consulting qualified experts, rather than relying on chat rooms or social media,” Dr. Offit advised. He cautioned that while reliable information exists, there are numerous misleading sources that could misinform users, including Kennedy himself.
Kennedy also claimed, without evidence, that measles vaccinations might lead to various health problems. He questioned, “Does it stop measles?” and then speculated about possible side effects like seizures or other diseases, saying, “We don’t know.”
However, research indicates that, with rare exceptions, vaccinated individuals are less likely to develop autoimmune diseases compared to those who have had measles infections. This has led experts to conclude that vaccines not only protect against infectious diseases but also against potential complications, including autoimmune conditions.
Kennedy also made other incorrect claims during the discussion, such as, “New drugs are approved by outside panels, not by the F.D.A. or the C.D.C.”
This is inaccurate; while advisory panels recommend on controversial drug approval issues and may include members with industry ties, the F.D.A. ultimately decides on drug approvals. The C.D.C. has no role in this process.
Dr. Robert Califf, F.D.A. Commissioner under President Biden, commented, “Mr. Kennedy needs a briefing on drug approval processes. He is either misinformed or attempting to mislead the public. The F.D.A. makes all final decisions.”
Kennedy inaccurately asserted that vaccines are not safety-tested before or after licensing. “There are no initial safety studies, and no ongoing monitoring,” he claimed, adding that vaccines uniquely lack pre-licensing safety assessments.
In reality, the F.D.A. licenses vaccines only after a comprehensive process that includes extensive laboratory tests, animal studies, and human trials. The agency mandates thorough evaluations of both the safety and effectiveness of vaccines, often involving large trial groups, according to Dr. Peter Marks, the head of the F.D.A.’s vaccine division.
Dr. Marks, who has previously criticized Kennedy, said, “I don’t understand this misunderstanding. Vaccines undergo extensive safety evaluations. Given that these products are administered to healthy individuals, safety is crucial.”
Post-licensing, vaccines are continuously monitored through various databases. The Vaccine Safety Data Link relies on electronic health records from across the nation to identify rare side effects, such as myocarditis among young men receiving Covid-19 vaccines.
Another monitoring system, the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS), established in 1990, collects reports from patients and healthcare providers. However, it was not designed to confirm if vaccines cause health issues; rather, it signals potential problems for further investigation.
The F.D.A. also has a safety monitoring initiative called BEST, which stands for Biologics Effectiveness and Safety Initiative.
Dr. Sean O’Leary, chair of the infectious diseases committee for the American Academy of Pediatrics, stressed that it’s incorrect to state that federal agencies do not monitor vaccine safety. “I’m not sure where that idea is coming from,” he said, “because it’s simply not accurate.”
He continued, “We are aware of many uncommon adverse effects. If it becomes evident that the risks are approaching the benefits, the vaccine is withdrawn from use.”
