Robert F. Kennedy Jr. marks one year as U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary today. The Lancet, a top medical journal, calls it 'one year of failure' in a new editorial. They warn the damage from his policies could take generations to fix. This comes amid falling vaccine rates and big changes at health agencies.
Key Takeaways
- The Lancet editorial board says RFK Jr.'s actions have hurt public health efforts, especially vaccines.
- Vaccination rates dropped for kids, with measles outbreaks in several states.
- RFK Jr. fired CDC leaders and cut over $500 million in vaccine research funding.
- Public trust in health agencies like CDC fell sharply over the past year.
Background
RFK Jr. started as HHS Secretary one year ago. President Trump picked him to lead the 'Make America Healthy Again' push. During his Senate confirmation, he said he supported vaccines and their role in health care. But actions since then shifted gears.
He put in place a panel of vaccine skeptics at key agencies. This group reviews vaccine advice. He also revoked emergency use for COVID-19 shots. That limited who could get them. And he cut funding for mRNA vaccine research by $500 million. These moves aimed to rethink public health after COVID-19.
But critics point to results. Kindergarten vaccination rates fell. Exemptions hit record highs. Two big measles outbreaks happened. One in South Carolina infected nearly 1,000 people, mostly unvaccinated kids. Polls show trust in CDC dropped from 85% in 2020 to 47% now.
RFK Jr. blames past leaders for COVID mistakes. He says the agency pushed bad mandates and ignored natural immunity. In Senate hearings, he called out high U.S. death tolls. He wants focus on nutrition and chronic disease too. Still, The Lancet sees broad harm.
And staff turnover rocked HHS. Thousands left CDC through firings or quits. Leadership spots sat empty at NIH and FDA. Surveillance data stopped updating in spots. This left gaps in tracking diseases.
Key Details
CDC Shakeup and Firings
RFK Jr. fired the CDC director last week. Susan Monarez held the job for just 29 days. She wrote about it in a Wall Street Journal piece. RFK Jr. asked if she was trustworthy. She said no in that talk, he claims.
Monarez said he wanted her to pre-approve vaccine advice from the panel. She refused. Said science needs real review, not stamps. 'I was fired for holding that line,' she wrote.
In a Senate Finance Committee meeting, things got heated. RFK Jr. defended the changes. Senator Elizabeth Warren pressed him on CDC turmoil. He stuck to his view that the agency failed during COVID.
"We were lied to about everything, natural immunity, vaccines, everything with COVID." – RFK Jr., Senate Finance Committee hearing
Thousands more at CDC faced cuts. Former officials say he told staff to work only with his appointees. Skip career scientists. Called some CDC workers 'horrible people killing children.'
Vaccine Policy Changes
RFK Jr. slashed the childhood vaccine schedule by a third last month. He halted research on key shots. Revived old talk linking vaccines to autism. Said kids get too many now compared to his day.
COVID boosters? No longer pushed for healthy adults or pregnant women. Pharmacies report confusion. RFK Jr. says anyone who wants one can get it. But guidance flipped fast.
Measles, mumps, rubella shots stay for now. He told Senator Michael Bennet no quick changes there. Still, parents worry. Exemptions rose as doubt spread.
He pushed nutrition in medical training. Wants doctors to teach diet over pills. Part of fighting chronic illness. But vaccine moves grab headlines. Protect Our Care called him 'public health enemy No. 1.' Said he's made America sicker.
Public polls back that. Only 1 in 4 trust his medical advice now. Half distrust him. HHS sits in chaos, they say. Gaps hurt tracking outbreaks.
Link to federal judge blocks Trump student loan plan shows wider admin fights. And check aging atlas maps cells across organs for HHS research shifts.
What This Means
Falling vaccine trust hits hard. Outbreaks spread faster without herd immunity. Kids face risks from diseases we controlled. Schools deal with more absences. Parents scramble for clear info.
HHS chaos slows responses. Empty posts mean delays in drug approvals. Lost experts hurt food safety checks. Disease tracking lags. This comes as flu season ramps up.
RFK Jr. bets on long-term health fixes. Less drugs, more food focus. But short-term pain shows in outbreaks. Polls say most Americans want steady science, not big swings.
Doctors warn of worse ahead. If measles grows, hospitals fill. Trust rebuild takes years. The Lancet says damage runs deep. Generations to repair, they claim.
Budget fights loom. Rural health got $50 billion in Trump's bill. But vaccine cuts pinch elsewhere. Senate watches close. Calls for RFK Jr. to quit grow louder.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why did vaccination rates drop this year?
A: RFK Jr.'s policy changes, like cutting the schedule and questioning safety, led to more exemptions. Parents heard mixed messages on shots like COVID and hepatitis B.
Q: What happened at the CDC under RFK Jr.?
A: He fired the director and thousands quit or got cut. Leadership emptied at key spots. Data updates stopped on some diseases.
Q: Does RFK Jr. plan more vaccine changes?
A: He says measles shots stay put. But he links too many vaccines to autism risk. Watch for panel reviews ahead.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did vaccination rates drop this year?
RFK Jr.’s policy changes, like cutting the schedule and questioning safety, led to more exemptions. Parents heard mixed messages on shots like COVID and hepatitis B.
What happened at the CDC under RFK Jr.?
He fired the director and thousands quit or got cut. Leadership emptied at key spots. Data updates stopped on some diseases.
Does RFK Jr. plan more vaccine changes?
He says measles shots stay put. But he links too many vaccines to autism risk. Watch for panel reviews ahead.
