health
RFK Jr.’s New Normal
As Trump nominates a new, uncontroversial CDC director, a more restrained version of the health secretary is appearing.
TL;DR
- HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was questioned by the House Ways and Means Committee and largely avoided repeating his past claims linking vaccines to autism or suggesting measles boosts immunity.
- The White House is reportedly urging Kennedy to avoid public statements on vaccines due to concerns about his anti-vaccine agenda impacting Republican candidates.
- The Trump administration is taking steps to stabilize the Health and Human Services Department, including appointing Chris Klomp to keep Kennedy in line and nominating Erica Schwartz as the new director of the CDC.
- The CDC has experienced significant turmoil, with multiple resignations and a lack of a confirmed director for much of the past year.
- Jennifer Shuford and Sara Brenner have been appointed to key roles at the CDC, with Shuford as deputy director and chief medical officer, and Brenner as senior counselor to Kennedy.
- Despite the nomination of Schwartz, concerns remain that Kennedy may continue to push his anti-vaccine agenda from behind the scenes, as evidenced by changes to the vaccine advisory board's charter.