Summary

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., known for his vaccine skepticism, is attempting to reassure Senate Republicans ahead of his confirmation hearing as President Trump’s nominee for Health and Human Services Secretary.

Kennedy claims he supports vaccine safety and is “all for” vaccines like the polio vaccine, a notable shift from past controversial comments suggesting vaccines cause autism or other health issues.

While some senators express cautious optimism, critics highlight his history of promoting anti-vaccine rhetoric, warning his confirmation could undermine public confidence in vaccines.

His hearing is set for January 29.

  • @[email protected]
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    17520 hours ago

    “He told me he is not anti-vaccine. He is pro-vaccine safety, which strikes me as a rational position to take,” Senator John Cornyn told Politico.

    This is the oldest trick in the book. “No I’m not anti-vaccine, I’m pro safe vaccines!” Then proceeds to explain how none are “safe” and we “need more research”

    • @[email protected]
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      12 hours ago

      Classic denialist scheme - moving the goalposts. It’s like the evolution deniers - “we don’t have ‘the missing link’”! Someone points them to all the many transitional fossils. Denialist: “Yeah, but what about all the missing links between all of THOSE?”

      If we did all of medicine the way the crazy antivaxxer nuts want to do vaccines, we’d have nothing on our shelves. Aspirin, Tylenol, Advil…fuhgeddaboutitt.

      • TimLovesTech (AuDHD)(he/him)
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        812 hours ago

        Sometimes you have too much to drink and you say things you don’t mean. And who among us hasn’t been at a job interview for a lifetime appointment unable stop yelling about getting shit faced? It happens.

    • Vox
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      1219 hours ago

      Then refuses to fund more research