Fact-checking RFK Jr.'s claims on vaccines, pesticides at confirmation hearing
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s confirmation hearing on Wednesday to lead the Department of Health and Human Services saw senators question the environmental lawyer about his views on vaccines, abortion, pesticides and even Lyme disease.
Senators asked Kennedy about views he has frequently promoted on vaccines that are at odds with the consensus of public health researchers and the mainstream scientific community that are based on decades of strong scientific evidence, despite saying he is "supportive of vaccines" on Wednesday.
The nominee was also questioned about his past comments, including claiming that pesticides cause children to become transgender.
Additionally, senators asked Kennedy about comments he made in support of abortion rights when he was a registered Democrat and a 2024 presidential candidate in contrast with recent comments, supporting President Donald Trump's views and believing that laws regulating the procedure should be left up to the states.
Here are a few medical claims made by Kennedy that are missing context or include falsehoods:
Claim: CDC approved COVID-19 vaccines "without any scientific basis."
Context: COVID vaccines are among the most studied vaccines in history, with large clinical studies showing the health benefits far exceed any potential risks.
Claim: Kennedy says he had nothing to do with the measles outbreak in American Samoa
Context: The 2019 measles outbreak led to more than 5,700 cases and 83 deaths. The Ministry of Health cited Kennedy's visit and rhetoric as exacerbating vaccine hesitancy at a crucial moment, according to a publication from The Lancet.
In response to the nomination of Kennedy as HHS Secretary, Samoa’s director general of health, Aiono Prof Alec Ekeroma, told The Guardian, “We cannot and should not stay silent. We know what this appointment means. It means more platforms for anti-vaxxers and less funding for vaccines and health programs.”
“It must be treated as a threat to our health security,” Ekeroma said.
Claim: Kennedy: 'I probably did say, Lyme disease is "highly likely a militarily engineered bioweapon"'
Context: Lyme disease is caused by a type of bacteria and spreads through the bite of blacklegged ticks, according to the CDC.
Claim: Kennedy says he has never claimed pesticides lead children to become transgender
Context: Kennedy has repeatedly suggested environmental toxins, including those in drinking water, are linked to gender identity in children. These claims are unfounded.
Claim Sen. James Lankford: The FDA has discouraged people from submitting safety reports about abortion medication mifepristone unless the person died.
Context: Anyone is welcome to submit a safety report on any medication using a publicly available database.
