WASHINGTON, DC – JANUARY 30: Robert F. Kennedy Jr., U.S. President Donald Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Health and Human Services testifies during his Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions confirmation hearing in Washington, DC. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
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During a contentious interview on CNN’s “State of the Union” with Dana Bash on August 2, 2026, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. made various assertions about COVID-19, vaccines, and measles. Many of these claims contradict established scientific evidence and extensive epidemiological research. Below are several statements that were factually incorrect.
COVID-19 Deaths
In the interview, Kennedy claimed, “We have the highest death rate from COVID,” referring to the United States. However, according to Johns Hopkins University, the U.S. is not among the top 10 countries for the highest COVID-19 death rates. The United States’ case fatality rate from COVID-19 stands at 1.1%, while Peru, the highest, has a rate of 4.9%.
COVID-19 Vaccines And Children
Kennedy also questioned the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines for children, asking, “can you show me one study that shows that children were protected by the COVID vaccine?”
Multiple studies have clearly shown that COVID-19 vaccines significantly reduce hospitalizations and severe illnesses in children and teenagers. A study published in the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report demonstrated a 76% reduction in emergency and urgent care visits for children aged 9 months to 4 years. Additionally, there was a 56% reduction for those aged 5 to 17.
Vaccines And Autism
The interview touched on the debunked link between vaccines and autism, with Kennedy telling Bash, “you are wrong when you say this issue has been studied.”
Contrary to his claim, this is one of the most thoroughly researched topics in modern medicine. Decades of research involving vast numbers of people across different countries have consistently shown that vaccines do not cause autism. A recent Danish study involving over a million children found no association between vaccines and autism.
Measles
Discussion also focused on the ongoing measles outbreak, with nearly 2,400 children diagnosed this year, the highest number in over 30 years. Kennedy denied any responsibility for the outbreak, attributing it to pandemic-related interruptions that decreased vaccination rates. While the COVID-19 pandemic did affect routine childhood immunizations globally, leading to millions of missed vaccine doses, totaling around 23 million according to UNICEF.
However, this explanation is not comprehensive. Measles outbreaks occur when vaccination rates fall below the herd immunity threshold of 95%. Factors such as vaccine hesitancy, misinformation, and declining MMR vaccination rates have all played a role in the U.S. outbreak. With Kennedy’s history of questioning vaccine safety, his influence as a prominent health leader may have further contributed to vaccine hesitancy and reduced vaccination rates.
As the nation’s leading health authority, Kennedy’s statements carry significant weight. While public discourse on pandemic policies, vaccines, and governmental decisions is vital for democracy, it is crucial that discussions are grounded in evidence to prevent the spread of misinformation, which can harm public health. Trust and confidence in public health arise from transparent, evidence-based data.
