HHS Chief RFK Jr. Says Americans Should Not Take His Medical Advice

 

Take two of whatever you like and don’t call him in the morning.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the nation’s top public health official, made a surprising statement on Wednesday, advising Americans not to take medical cues from him.

The Health and Human Services (HHS) secretary made the comments during a House Appropriations Committee hearing, after Rep. Mark Pocan (D-Wis.) asked, “If you had a child, would you vaccinate that child for measles?”

Kennedy Jr., who has previously expressed regret over vaccinating his own children, hesitated before responding.

“For measles? Um … probably for measles,” the HHS chief reluctantly answered, before quickly adding that his opinions about vaccines are “irrelevant.”

“I don’t want to seem like I’m being evasive,” RFK Jr. continued, attempting to sidestep the question, “but I don’t think people should be taking advice, medical advice, from me.”

Mixed Messages on Vaccines

Pocan pointed out that he wasn’t asking the former environmental lawyer – who has no formal medical training – to dispense medical advice, but simply to share his personal stance.

“For me to answer that question directly, it will seem like I’m giving advice to other people, and I don’t want to be doing that,” the “Make America Healthy Again” proponent argued.

Kennedy Jr., whose long history of vaccine skepticism nearly derailed his HHS confirmation in January, has since touted the measles vaccine as “the most effective way” to stem the spread of the disease.

However, under his leadership, two children in Texas recently died from measles – the first U.S. deaths from the disease since 2015 – sparking criticism from public health experts.

Skepticism Beyond Vaccines

Kennedy Jr. also expressed concerns about the chickenpox vaccine and refused to fully endorse the polio vaccine, while repeatedly insisting, “I don’t want to give advice.”

The HHS chief has been vocal on a range of controversial health issues, including AIDS, ADHD, autism, the origins of Lyme disease, the alleged benefits of consuming unpasteurized “raw” milk, and his concerns about fluoride in drinking water.

During the same hearing, the Kennedy scion further argued that ultra-processed foods are a “genocide” on the Native American population, adding yet another layer to his often-controversial public health positions.