RFK Jr. encounters mounting bipartisan criticism as he doubles down on anti-vaccine stance
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s recent assertions that vaccines cause autism and that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is corrupt have drawn significant backlash from politicians and health experts across the aisle.
Despite overwhelming scientific evidence demonstrating the safety and efficacy of vaccines, Kennedy continues to spread misinformation, claiming that vaccines are the cause of increased autism rates.
The backlash from Kennedy’s anti-vaccine remarks has been severe, with Republican Senator Richard Burr stating that his comments are “misinformed and wrong” and Democratic Senator Patty Murray stating that his words are “deeply troubling” and “completely out of touch with the overwhelming scientific consensus.”
In response to Kennedy’s claims, Republican Senator John Cornyn tweeted that “the overwhelming scientific evidence clearly shows that vaccines are safe and effective,” adding that “claims to the contrary are harmful and irresponsible.”
On the Democratic side, Senator Bob Casey stated that Kennedy’s “false and irresponsible claims” undermine public trust in vaccines and exacerbate vaccine-preventable disease outbreaks.
Other prominent politicians and health experts, including Democratic Governors Andrew Cuomo and Jerry Brown, have also joined the chorus of criticism, citing the devastating impact of vaccine hesitancy on public health and the need to prioritize scientific fact over misinformation.
As the fallout from Kennedy’s remarks continues, it remains unclear whether his words will have any lasting impact on public opinion about vaccines. What is clear, however, is that his refusal to acknowledge the overwhelming scientific consensus on vaccine safety and efficacy will continue to pose a significant risk to public health.