During a congressional hearing on May 14, 2025, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. encountered significant criticism from lawmakers over his stance on vaccines for preventable childhood diseases, amid the worst measles outbreak in decades in the United States.
Rep. Mark Pocan (D-Wis.) directly questioned Kennedy about whether he would vaccinate his own children against measles. Kennedy hesitated before answering, “Probably for measles.” When asked about the chicken pox vaccine, Kennedy incorrectly stated, “In Europe they don’t use the chicken pox vaccine.” When the subject of polio arose, Kennedy declined to give a direct response.
“I don’t want to be giving advice,” Kennedy stated to the committee. “I don’t think people should be taking medical advice from me. Everybody can make that decision.”
Kennedy also faced bipartisan criticism over substantial staffing reductions within his department. Rep. Mike Simpson (R-Idaho) voiced concerns about Kennedy’s stance against water fluoridation, citing its potential adverse effects on dental health.
The hearing was disrupted by public health advocates and AIDS activists protesting Kennedy’s policies and previous statements.
The hearing took place as the nation is dealing with a rapidly spreading measles outbreak. As of May 14, 2025, more than 1,000 measles cases have been reported across 31 states, marking the largest outbreak in 25 years, with Texas being the most affected with over 500 cases. The outbreak has resulted in the deaths of at least three unvaccinated individuals, including two children in Texas.
Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) expressed frustration with Kennedy’s responses, reminding him of his duties as the nation’s top health official. “HHS makes medical decisions every day. You’re making medical decisions every day. You’re the secretary of HHS,” DeLauro said. “You have tremendous power over health policy. I’m really horrified that you will not encourage families to vaccinate their children.”
Kennedy’s unclear position on vaccines follows months of what health experts describe as “doublespeak.” In March, amid rising measles cases, Kennedy co-authored an op-ed acknowledging that vaccines protect children from measles and enhance community immunity, while also emphasizing that vaccination is “a personal decision” and promoting unverified remedies like vitamin A supplementation.
Some healthcare professionals have raised concerns over Kennedy’s endorsement of alternative treatments. NPR reported that several children in West Texas were hospitalized with vitamin A toxicity after Kennedy’s public comments about the vitamin’s purported benefits against measles.
Before his appointment as HHS Secretary, Kennedy was known for promoting debunked claims about vaccines, including the false link between vaccines and autism. He previously led Children’s Health Defense, an anti-vaccine organization that unsuccessfully sued New York over school vaccine mandates during a 2019 measles outbreak.
The current outbreak is primarily impacting unvaccinated groups. The Texas Department of State Health Services reports less than 2% of confirmed measles cases occurred among vaccinated individuals. Public health officials continue to emphasize the safety and efficacy of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine, with two doses offering approximately 97% protection against the disease.
Former HHS Secretary Alex Azar’s approach during the 2019 measles outbreak was markedly different from Kennedy’s current stance. Azar clearly stated: “We cannot say this enough: Vaccines are a safe and highly effective public health tool that can prevent this disease and end the current outbreak.”
As the outbreak continues to escalate, Kennedy’s testimony has added complexity to the federal response to the growing public health crisis. With cases increasing at an unprecedented rate, many health experts fear the potential return of endemic measles in the United States, potentially reversing one of the nation’s most significant public health achievements of the past century.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s educational background does not align with the typical qualifications for a Health and Human Services Secretary. His credentials include a Bachelor of Arts from Harvard University (1976), a Juris Doctor from the University of Virginia School of Law, and a Master of Laws in environmental law from Pace University. An environmental attorney and former professor of environmental law, Kennedy lacks formal medical or public health education or experience, making his appointment to HHS notably controversial, especially given his history as a prominent vaccine skeptic.
