RFK Jr defends leadership as lawmakers grill him on vaccines

September 4, 2025

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. faced intense scrutiny during a three-hour Senate Finance Committee hearing where lawmakers questioned his leadership of US health agencies, particularly regarding vaccine policies.

Who is affected

CDC employees, including 600 fired staff and former CDC director Susan Monarez
Members of the independent vaccine expert panel who were removed
Americans seeking vaccines, particularly COVID-19 and measles vaccines
Public health officials facing mistrust
US population vulnerable to infectious diseases like measles, which is experiencing its worst outbreak in decades

What action is being taken

Kennedy is actively restructuring US health agencies, including firing CDC leadership and staff
The Senate Finance Committee is conducting oversight hearings to question Kennedy's decisions
The FDA under Kennedy's leadership is implementing more limited COVID-19 vaccine recommendations than previously
HHS officials are formally protesting Kennedy's leadership through letters accusing him of spreading misinformation
President Trump is continuing to publicly support Kennedy despite the controversies

Why it matters

Kennedy's actions could significantly impact public health policy and vaccine access in the United States
The removal of established vaccine experts raises concerns about the scientific basis of future public health recommendations
Current policy shifts are occurring amid a serious measles outbreak and ongoing COVID-19 concerns
The restructuring of major health agencies affects government capability to respond to public health emergencies
The controversy represents a significant shift in US public health leadership approach and messaging

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC