Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s claims that his crusade against vaccines is based on science are overwhelmingly rejected by the public, a damming survey has found. A Reuters/Ipsos poll of 1,084 U.S. adults nationwide found that less than a quarter (24 percent) support the Trump administration’s sweeping targeting of vaccine recommendations because they believe they are backed by science and facts, with nearly half (48 percent) believing the policies are not science-driven. Kennedy, a known vaccine skeptic for years, including pushing the long-disputed claim that they cause autism, has not been subtle in his overhauling of recommendations for immunizations, which is causing turmoil within the public health agencies he oversees, especially the CDC. Since becoming health secretary, Kennedy has overseen major changes, such as removing recommendations that young and healthy people and pregnant women should get vaccinated against COVID-19, all while citing his “commitment to evidence-based science.” The Reuters survey also found that 48 percent fear children will not get the shots they need in the future, with 42 percent worried that they themselves will not be able to get vaccines they need under Kennedy’s reign.
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