Vaccine Lies

During his confirmation hearings to become Secretary of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., talked up childhood vaccinations for the doubters in the room. He testified that all of his children are vaccinated. He stated that he believes vaccines play a critical role in healthcare and said he would "probably" vaccinate a child for measles today, if he had one. And after a measles death in Texas, he stated that the most effective way to prevent the spread of measles is the MMR vaccine, and that the federal government's position is that people should get it. 

But then there’s the RFK outside the hearing rooms. The one who promotes vaccine skepticism. He announced the CDC would no longer recommend COVID shots for children or pregnant women. He also fired the advisory committee and replaced them with vaccine skeptics of his liking.

Kennedy has a long history of promoting vaccine skepticism and making claims that experts have debunked, such as a link between vaccines and autism.

Those experts are concerned.

So is Washington Congresswoman and former Pediatrician Kimberley Schrier who had some questions for Kennedy during a hearing by the Energy and Commerce Committee.

“Secretary Kennedy. On May 27, you posted a 60 second video on your X account, unilaterally changing vaccine recommendations without consulting the customary panel of experts. As a pediatrician, I find that extremely alarming. So I thought we would talk a little bit about some vaccine preventable diseases.“

Rep Schrier leads with the MMR. A vaccine that up until now has kept measles at bay.

“Secretary Kennedy. And these are yes or no questions. Have you ever treated measles?

No.

Well, I have.

Let me tell you how miserable it is. These kids have high fevers, struggling to breathe, and they are crying. They suffer. Great news is that there is a vaccine to prevent it.”

Doctor Schrier has another question for RFK about Meningitus.

“These babies are so sick.

They come into the ER with high fevers. They are floppy, and we have to figure out why. Do you know how we figure out if a baby has meningitis? I'm going to explain how we figure out and determine if a baby has meningitis.

We insert a needle between vertebrae until the fluid that surrounds the spinal cord drips out into a test tube. It's called a spinal tap. We used to do lots of them. Fortunately, we don't have to do very many of these anymore because we have three vaccines that prevent childhood meningitis. These are miracles.”

The Congresswoman went on to describe the children she’s treated who have contracted Pertussis or Whooping Cough.

“Yes or no? Have you ever treated pertussis or whooping cough?

No. I've had it.

Well, I have.

And in infants. In fact, the one I treated, weeks old, came in because the baby just stopped breathing and turned blue. Let me tell you how scared those parents were. And I've treated a bunch of older kids with it. They cough so hard they vomit. They run out of air. They break ribs.

And if you don't catch it before two weeks, antibiotics don't even work. They cough for months with broken ribs. And that is why it is called a hundred day cough. You know what's great? There's a vaccine that prevents this.“

And the former Pediatrician had this reminder for the current Secretary of Health and Human Services.

“Vaccines only work if you actually give them. And we know your record on this. We rely on the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, a panel of experts to recommend which vaccines people should get at which ages and the like. Now, I know Senator Cassidy had concerns about your views on this. And so when he voted to confirm you as Secretary of HHS on February 4, he explained that decision by saying on the Senate floor that, quote, if confirmed, you will maintain the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices without changes.

But then two weeks ago, you fired all 17 experts on that very committee. Mr. Secretary, question for you. Did you lie to Senator Cassidy when you told him you would not change this panel of experts?

RFK: “I never made that agreement”

“So are you saying that Senator Cassidy lied when he was on the Senate floor, lied to the American people?”

RFK: “I didn't see that statement by Senator Cassidy. I've only heard it from you. But if he said that I agreed to it, it would be inaccurate.

“I just want to tell you that for most of us sitting here right now, we believe Senator Cassidy more than we trust you when it comes to vaccinations. It sounds to me like you gave him the answer he needed to hear in order to get his confirmation vote. And then as soon as you were secretary, you turned around and did whatever you want. You fired all 17 members.”

RFK: “I'm complying with all the agreements.”

“Mr Secretary , you're now on the record. You lied to Senator Cassidy. You have lied to the American people.

You have lied to parents about vaccines for 20 years. And I also want to be clear that I will lay all responsibility for every death from a vaccine preventable illness at your feet.”

And then there is the hipocracy .

Kennedy’s family has been vaccinated. His family confirms he had his childhood vaccinations.

My question would be: “So you got yours but we don’t get ours?”