Trump, Kennedy to discuss future of childhood vaccination programs

President-elect Donald Trump plans to discuss the future of childhood vaccination programs with Robert F. Kennedy Jr., his nominee for Secretary of Health and Human Services, amid concerns about vaccine safety and autism.

In a recent interview with Time magazine, Trump expressed intentions to engage in a comprehensive dialogue with Kennedy, stating, “We’re going to have a big discussion. The autism rate is at a level that nobody ever believed possible. If you look at things that are happening, there’s something causing it.”

When asked if this discussion could lead to changes in vaccination policies, Trump responded, “It could if I think it’s dangerous, if I think they are not beneficial, but I don’t think it’s going to be very controversial in the end.” He emphasized his respect for Kennedy’s views, noting, “I’m going to be listening to Bobby.”

Kennedy, known for his skepticism toward vaccines, has previously linked them to autism—a claim widely debunked by scientific research. A 2014 meta-analysis involving over 1.2 million children found no association between vaccines and autism. Organisations like Autism Speaks affirm that “vaccines do not cause autism.”

Public health experts, including former FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, warn that reducing vaccination rates could lead to outbreaks of diseases like measles. Gottlieb stated, “For every 1,000 cases of measles that occur in children, there will be one death.”

If confirmed, Kennedy would oversee agencies responsible for vaccination recommendations and programs. Trump has previously suggested spreading out inoculations over a longer period, despite a lack of scientific support for such changes.

The scientific consensus remains that vaccines are safe and effective in preventing serious diseases. Health officials continue to advocate for adherence to established vaccination schedules to protect public health.

With inputs from agencies