Key facts
- Robert F. Kennedy Jr. addressed the Children's Health Defense conference in Washington D.C.
- Kennedy, serving as HHS Secretary, told anti-vaccine activists they have a "strong and steadfast friend at the White House."
- He mentioned the measles outbreak, noting four recent deaths in Pennsylvania, but also urged focus on alleged vaccine injuries.
- Andrew Wakefield, known for discredited research linking vaccines to autism, spoke at the event.
- Mary Holland, CEO of Children's Health Defense, stated the organization has an opportunity to engage with mainstream media.
- Republican Congressman Thomas Massie recounted a conversation with Donald Trump regarding Kennedy's potential role at HHS.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the US Secretary of Health and Human Services, addressed a conference hosted by the anti-vaccine organization Children's Health Defense, where he pledged his support to activists. Speaking amidst a significant measles outbreak, Kennedy stated, "You have a strong and steadfast friend at the White House." He urged patience for policy changes, suggesting that while he would have made immediate sweeping changes, he must follow legal processes for lasting reform.
Kennedy briefly addressed the measles outbreak, which has caused deaths in Pennsylvania, but primarily focused on alleged vaccine injuries. He claimed that conditions like allergies, asthma, ADHD, autism, diabetes, and sudden infant death syndrome can be side effects of routine vaccines, and stated the tracking system for such effects is "broken." He also thanked his former colleagues at Children's Health Defense, where he led for nearly two decades.
The conference featured other prominent anti-vaccine figures, including Andrew Wakefield, whose medical license was revoked for fabricating research linking vaccines to autism. Wakefield expressed astonishment at Kennedy's position in the White House and suggested that President Trump had considered dividing the MMR vaccine. Mary Holland, CEO of Children's Health Defense, highlighted the organization's increased influence and opportunity to engage with mainstream media.
Republican Congressman Thomas Massie recounted a conversation with Donald Trump where Trump questioned if Kennedy was too extreme for HHS, but Massie suggested he was needed for vaccine policy. Massie advised activists to influence those in power rather than oppose them directly. Other speakers, including Senators Ron Johnson and Rand Paul, echoed grievances from the Covid-19 pandemic regarding vaccine mandates and policies. Tony Lyons, publisher of Kennedy's books, called Kennedy "the most dangerous individual to this system who’s come along in a generation," a statement met with applause.