How Trump and RFK Jr. might undermine vaccines

After Donald Trump’s victory on Tuesday, the spotlight has shifted towards longtime vaccine skeptic Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who is now poised to have a significant impact on the way vaccines are regulated and distributed in the United States.

Kennedy has been a vocal proponent of the debunked theory that vaccines cause autism for many years. He founded the nonprofit Children’s Defense Fund to promote various theories linking vaccines to other conditions. Other leaders of the Make America Healthy Again movement, aligned with Trump, also have a history of anti-vaccine advocacy. While Kennedy has toned down his anti-vaccine rhetoric recently, he is now emphasizing the need for more transparency and data around vaccines, although the specifics of this data remain unclear.

In a recent interview with MSBNC, Kennedy stated, “If vaccines are working for somebody, I’m not going to take them away. People ought to have a choice, and that choice should be informed by the best information available.”

Currently, state health officials determine which vaccines are recommended for schools and the general population, relying on the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for regulation and recommendations. There is concern among health experts that Kennedy may seek to slow down vaccine approvals, appoint fellow skeptics to advisory committees, and spread misinformation.

The extent of Kennedy’s influence will largely depend on the leadership of the FDA, CDC, and the Department of Health and Human Services. Guardrails against any radical changes in vaccine policy include pushback from the public, Congress, the pharmaceutical industry, and other government employees.

Bryant Godfrey, a partner at Foley Hoag and former FDA regulatory lawyer, mentioned that the FDA cannot withdraw products without substantial evidence of safety concerns. Any attempt to penalize vaccines without proper evidence could result in legal action from manufacturers.

Lawrence Gostin, a professor of Global Health Law at Georgetown University, emphasized that reversing vaccine approvals without scientific evidence would likely face opposition from the Supreme Court. Kennedy may seek additional data for vaccine approvals, although the current submission process is already rigorous.

While the FDA may present obstacles to Kennedy’s influence, the CDC is considered more vulnerable. Kennedy could potentially influence the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), which makes vaccine recommendations for the entire U.S. population. By appointing Trump loyalists and vaccine skeptics to the committee, Kennedy could impact vaccine recommendations and affordability.

Pediatrician Paul Offit highlighted the arduous process of vaccine development and approval, emphasizing the importance of expert committees like ACIP in making informed recommendations.

Disruption in federal vaccine policy may also arise through legal challenges. A recent ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit questioned the constitutionality of advisory committees like ACIP. If the Supreme Court takes up the case, it could lead to further complications in vaccine policy.

Overall, Trump and Kennedy’s most straightforward approach to influencing vaccine policy lies in shaping public perception through their platforms. As the landscape continues to evolve, the future of vaccine regulation in the U.S. remains uncertain. Americans are becoming increasingly unlikely to view childhood vaccinations as important, with more jurisdictions granting exemptions. This trend is concerning health officials and experts, who fear the potential consequences of a decrease in vaccine uptake.

One influential figure in this anti-vaccine movement is Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has been vocal in discouraging people from using vaccines. Despite not holding any official government position, Kennedy’s soft power has had a significant impact on public opinion. According to experts like Kathleen Sebelius, former Secretary of Health and Human Services, Kennedy’s influence could grow even more if he were to occupy a federal position.

Sebelius recalls her interactions with Kennedy during her tenure from 2009 to 2014, where he expressed his skepticism towards vaccines and the information provided by the CDC. Kennedy believed that existing officials needed to be replaced with individuals who aligned with his views on vaccination. This attitude is worrying for Sebelius and others who are concerned about the potential repercussions of misinformation spreading within federal health agencies.

As more Americans question the importance of childhood vaccinations and seek exemptions, the need for accurate information and education on the benefits of vaccines becomes even more critical. Health officials must work diligently to counteract the spread of misinformation and ensure that vaccination rates remain high to protect public health.