The Initial Impact of RFK

by Mandy Morgan February 19, 2025

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has wasted no time in pursuing his agenda, announcing plans to investigate childhood vaccine schedules and anti-depressant medications as potential drivers of chronic diseases.

In a speech to HHS staff, Kennedy urged them to keep an “open mind.” Yet, his past statements and actions raise concerns about the potential erosion of public trust in vaccines—a cornerstone of modern medicine. His history of pushing debunked vaccine-autism links and labeling the COVID-19 vaccine as the “deadliest vaccine ever made” suggest that his tenure may amplify misinformation rather than reinforce evidence-based policy.

Public Health in Peril: Vaccine Misinformation Gains Ground

Kennedy’s appointment comes at a precarious time for public health. The decline in childhood vaccination rates—exacerbated by the rise of vaccine skepticism—has already contributed to resurgent outbreaks of measles, whooping cough, and chickenpox in schools across the country. According to the CDC, measles outbreaks quadrupled in 2024, with 89% of cases occurring in unvaccinated individuals.

The timing of Kennedy’s leadership also coincides with state-level efforts to weaken vaccine requirements, most recently in Louisiana.

Legislative proposals promoting broad childhood vaccine exemptions are gaining traction, fueled by the wider “parental rights” movement. Critics argue that Kennedy’s rhetoric will further embolden these efforts, ultimately threatening herd immunity and putting vulnerable populations at risk.

The Fallout: Firings, Misinformation, and a Weakened Public Health System

In an unprecedented move, Kennedy’s confirmation was immediately followed by mass firings at federal health agencies—including 700 employees at the CDC. These layoffs may weaken the very institutions responsible for responding to infectious disease outbreaks, vaccine distribution, and health education.

Beyond staffing cuts, Kennedy’s leadership could reshape federal health communication strategies. Public health experts fear that HHS resources will be redirected toward discredited theories, further polarizing an already fragile trust in medical science. Studies consistently refute links between vaccines, SSRIs, and chronic diseases, but if the nation’s top health agency starts questioning settled science, the consequences could be dire.

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