Kennedy Addresses Anti-Vaccine Group, Citing White House Support

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. delivered the keynote address Thursday at a conference hosted by an anti-vaccine activist group he formerly chaired, telling attendees they have a friend in President Donald Trump's White House. This marked Kennedy's first appearance at a Children's Health Defense conference since he was appointed secretary.

Kennedy, who took leave from the group upon launching his presidential bid in 2023, used the event as a platform to commend the administration's efforts to reduce vaccine mandates and assure the audience that their priorities were being translated into policy. "Let me be clear: You have a strong and steadfast friend in the White House. We've accomplished in 19 months things that would have seemed unthinkable two years ago," Kennedy stated.

The speech touched upon questions regarding long-standing vaccine safety, underscoring how previously fringe viewpoints on vaccines have gained prominence under the Trump administration. Kennedy highlighted the administration's initiatives to reduce the childhood vaccination schedule and reform a key vaccine advisory board, actions that have since been blocked by a judge.

He also praised Trump's push to revise vaccine guidance, including an executive order last month that proposed spacing out the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine, contrary to recommendations from medical organizations. This executive order, coupled with Kennedy's keynote, signals a shift by the White House and HHS, which had previously appeared to be focusing on a less controversial agenda concerning healthy food in the lead-up to the midterm elections. The HHS promoted Kennedy's speech on its social media channels.

Kennedy led Children's Health Defense for years, serving as its chief legal counsel and overseeing its expansion. After becoming health secretary, he moved swiftly to revise public health guidance and alter established vaccine policymaking precedents.

Critics, including numerous prominent medical associations, have voiced concerns that these actions could increase vaccine hesitancy and foster distrust among the public, particularly after the erosion of confidence in public health agencies during the COVID-19 pandemic. "We have not taken vaccines away from anybody. We have preserved access. But we have started asking the questions that you and millions of American parents have been asking for years," Kennedy told the attendees.

Mary Holland, CEO of Children's Health Defense, expressed gratitude for Kennedy's recognition of "real consequential issues around childhood vaccinations."

Kennedy's remarks come as the U.S. is experiencing its worst year for measles since 1991, with seven measles-associated deaths reported in the last two years, a figure higher than the combined total of the previous three decades. Pennsylvania officials have reported four measles-associated deaths this year, none of whom were vaccinated, according to the state health department.

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro criticized Kennedy's appearance, stating on X that Kennedy "chose to spend his time today addressing the premier vaccine-denial conference in America." Shapiro added that Kennedy "should have encouraged people to get vaccinated for measles, yet he couldn’t bring himself to do it. Instead, he pushed a narrative that continues to stoke fear and mistrust."

Andrew Wakefield, whose discredited study linking the MMR vaccine to autism fueled the anti-vaccine movement, also spoke at the conference. Widespread scientific consensus and numerous studies have concluded there is no link between vaccines and autism.

Shaughnessy Naughton, founder of 314 Action, a group that recruits scientists for political office, stated that Kennedy's decision to speak at the conference demonstrates "the lack of seriousness he brings to HHS." She added, "With a deadly measles outbreak killing people in Pennsylvania, the best thing Kennedy can do for Americans is step aside."