Robert F. Kennedy Jr. told lawmakers on Capitol Hill that his department recommends measles vaccination for all children, stepping back from his longstanding skepticism of the shot.
The statement marked a notable shift for Kennedy, who has built a public brand around challenging vaccine safety and efficiency. Speaking before Congress, he framed the measles recommendation as coming from his department rather than representing a personal reversal.
The distinction Kennedy drew between his own views and his department's official position underscores the tension between his previous public criticism of the measles vaccine and the guidance he is now responsible for overseeing in his role.
Measles remains a significant public health concern. The disease, which is highly contagious and can cause serious complications including death, saw resurgences in recent years partly due to declining vaccination rates in some communities.
Kennedy's testimony came as he faces scrutiny over his vaccine views and their potential influence on public health policy. His comments suggest an attempt to navigate between his established anti-vaccine constituency and the demands of his official position, which carries responsibility for health guidance affecting millions of Americans.
The Capitol Hill appearance highlighted the stakes involved in translating campaign rhetoric into actual governance, particularly on health matters where public trust and scientific consensus carry substantial weight.
Author Sarah Mitchell: "Kennedy's careful parsing of 'his department' versus 'himself' is telling, the classic move of someone trying to have it both ways on vaccines."
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