Freshly confirmed by the U.S. Senate, Well being Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. informed a room full of federal well being employees on Tuesday that he plans to “examine” whether or not the timing of childhood vaccinations and anti-depression medicines are amongst a number of “attainable components” within the nation’s drawback with continual ailments.
“Nothing goes to be off limits,” Kennedy informed the massive crowd Tuesday.
The campaign-style speech on the Division of Well being and Human Companies headquarters was supposed for workers solely, though a livestream hyperlink was circulated. Workers was invited to satisfy him afterward, and an emailed invitation despatched earlier to HHS employees famous “selfies are welcome!”
Kennedy’s provide of selfies with workers got here amid widespread firings and resignations throughout the federal authorities have been underway, together with at HHS. Company officers haven’t supplied particulars on the firings, together with what the impression there might be.
In keeping with folks accustomed to the hassle, some 700 staff on the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention have been fired late final week.
Kennedy urged workers to maintain an “open thoughts” on Tuesday as he deliberate to show the company’s huge sources to revisit issues thought of as settled science.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Trump’s choose to be the Secretary of Well being and Human Companies, testifies throughout his affirmation listening to within the Dirksen Senate Workplace Constructing in Washington, DC. Jan. 29, 2025.
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“We are going to convene representatives of all viewpoints to check the causes for the drastic rise in continual illness,” Kennedy mentioned. “A number of the attainable components we are going to examine have been formally taboo or insufficiently scrutinized.”
He then gave a listing of those “attainable components” to research together with the childhood vaccine schedule and “SSRI and different psychiatric medication,” referring to federally authorised medication that assist deal with such situations as melancholy and nervousness.
Research don’t counsel vaccines or SSRIs are in charge for continual diseases, akin to autism or weight problems. Critics argue Kennedy’s rhetoric might create extra doubt and public distrust of those medicines.
Additionally on his listing was electromagnetic radiation, herbicides and pesticides, ultra-processed meals, synthetic meals, allergy symptoms, microplastics and long-lasting chemical compounds used within the manufacturing of non-stick pans. Scientists are actively exploring the attainable well being impacts of environmental toxins, with some research suggesting they might play a job in continual diseases.
Kennedy’s willingness to revisit the childhood vaccine schedule seems to be at odds with his Senate testimony in January by which he informed skeptical lawmakers that he particularly supported federal suggestions.
“I help vaccines. I help the vaccine schedule. I help good science,” Kennedy testified final month.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., U.S. President Donald Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Well being and Human Companies, testifies throughout his Senate Finance Committee, Jan. 29, 2025.
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Vaccinating infants and younger kids is broadly beneficial as a method to stop youngsters from being uncovered to life-threatening ailments like measles and to guard different kids at school.
Kennedy has beforehand pushed a debunked claim that vaccines trigger autism, regardless of quite a few large-scale research discovering no connection.
ABC’s Soo Youn and Youri Benadjaoud contributed to this report.
