Freshly confirmed by the U.S. Senate, Well being Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. informed a room full of federal well being employees on Tuesday that he plans to “examine” whether or not the timing of childhood vaccinations and anti-depression drugs are amongst a number of “attainable components” within the nation’s drawback with power ailments.
“Nothing goes to be off limits,” Kennedy informed the big crowd Tuesday.
The campaign-style speech on the Division of Well being and Human Companies headquarters was supposed for workers solely, though a livestream hyperlink was circulated. Employees was invited to satisfy him afterward, and an emailed invitation despatched earlier to HHS employees famous “selfies are welcome!”
Kennedy’s provide of selfies with employees got here amid widespread firings and resignations throughout the federal authorities had been underway, together with at HHS. Company officers haven’t supplied particulars on the firings, together with what the impression there may very well be.
In line with folks conversant in the trouble, some 700 workers on the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention had been fired late final week.
Kennedy urged employees to maintain an “open thoughts” on Tuesday as he deliberate to show the company’s huge assets to revisit issues thought of as settled science.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Trump’s decide to be the Secretary of Well being and Human Companies, testifies throughout his affirmation listening to within the Dirksen Senate Workplace Constructing in Washington, DC. Jan. 29, 2025.
Allison Dinner/EPA by way of Shutterstock
“We’ll convene representatives of all viewpoints to check the causes for the drastic rise in power illness,” Kennedy stated. “A few of the attainable components we’ll examine had been formally taboo or insufficiently scrutinized.”
He then gave a listing of those “attainable components” to analyze together with the childhood vaccine schedule and “SSRI and different psychiatric medication,” referring to federally accredited medication that assist deal with such situations as melancholy and nervousness.
Research don’t recommend vaccines or SSRIs are accountable for power diseases, similar to autism or weight problems. Critics argue Kennedy’s rhetoric may create extra doubt and public distrust of those medicines.
Additionally on his listing was electromagnetic radiation, herbicides and pesticides, ultra-processed meals, synthetic meals, allergy symptoms, microplastics and long-lasting chemical compounds used within the manufacturing of non-stick pans. Scientists are actively exploring the attainable well being impacts of environmental toxins, with some research suggesting they may play a task in power diseases.
Kennedy’s willingness to revisit the childhood vaccine schedule seems to be at odds together with his Senate testimony in January during which he informed skeptical lawmakers that he particularly supported federal suggestions.
“I help vaccines. I help the vaccine schedule. I help good science,” Kennedy testified final month.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., U.S. President Donald Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Well being and Human Companies, testifies throughout his Senate Finance Committee, Jan. 29, 2025.
Win McNamee/Getty Photos
Vaccinating infants and younger kids is broadly advisable as a solution to stop youngsters from being uncovered to life-threatening ailments like measles and to guard different kids in class.
Kennedy has beforehand pushed a debunked declare that vaccines trigger autism, regardless of quite a few large-scale research discovering no connection.
ABC’s Soo Youn and Youri Benadjaoud contributed to this report.
