Chloe Ramirez
In 2018, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. claimed that the CDC is a privately owned vaccine company, stating that it owns patents on at least 57 different vaccines and generates $4.1 billion in annual vaccination sales. Kennedy asserted that the CDC is not an independent government agency but a subsidiary of the pharmaceutical industry. He further suggested that the CDC has undisclosed conflicts of interest due to its financial relationships with vaccine manufacturers. Kennedy's stance on vaccines has been controversial, with critics pointing to his anti-vaccine sentiments and his role in the Department of Health and Human Services, where he has influenced vaccine policies and funding decisions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | 29 June 2018 |
| Author | Robert F. Kennedy Jr. |
| Claim | CDC is a privately-owned vaccine company |
| CDC Patents | 57 different vaccines |
| CDC Profit | $4.1 billion per year in vaccination sales |
| CDC Nature | Subsidiary of Big Pharma |
| CDC Website | No disclosure of profit partnership with vaccine makers |
| CDC and ACIP | ACIP makes recommendations to CDC |
| CDC and HHS | HHS Secretary Kennedy unveiled a tool to make it easier to see the relationships with vaccine manufacturers of current and former ACIP members |
| CDC and Vaccine Safety | CDC supervises the Vaccine Safety Datalink |
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What You'll Learn
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s claim that the CDC is a privately-owned vaccine company
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has claimed that the CDC is a privately-owned vaccine company. He asserts that the CDC owns patents on at least 57 different vaccines and earns $4.1 billion annually from vaccine sales. Kennedy further alleges that the CDC is not an independent government agency but instead operates as a subsidiary of the pharmaceutical industry. He estimates that the CDC holds over 20 vaccine patents, creating undisclosed conflicts of interest in vaccine safety. Kennedy's statements have sparked discussions about potential financial relationships between the CDC and vaccine manufacturers, as well as calls for a thorough review of the CDC's financial dealings.
Kennedy's claims have significant implications and have garnered attention. Some sources indicate that Kennedy's assertions about the CDC's patents are accurate. Mark Blaxill, an Intellectual Property expert, reportedly discovered that the CDC holds patents related to various vaccines, including HPV, flu, rotavirus, hepatitis A, HIV, and others. Blaxill's findings lend credibility to Kennedy's statements.
The alleged conflict of interest and lack of transparency surrounding the CDC's financial relationships have led to calls for reform and the proposed establishment of the RFK Commission on vaccine safety. Kennedy himself has expressed commitment to fighting what he perceives as corruption in the vaccine industry. He has stated his intention to continue advocating for comprehensive vaccine safety reviews and reforms, including the right to refuse vaccines without coercion.
Kennedy's stance on vaccines has also been reflected in his role as Health and Human Services Secretary. In this position, Kennedy cancelled $500 million in funding for mRNA vaccine development for respiratory viruses like COVID-19 and the flu. He stated that safer and more effective vaccines were being developed, focusing on a "universal vaccine" that mimics natural immunity. Kennedy's decision sparked controversy, with infectious disease experts emphasising the safety and potential advantages of mRNA technology.
While Kennedy's claims about the CDC being a privately-owned vaccine company have sparked debates and prompted further investigations, it is essential to approach such assertions with critical thinking and fact-checking. The complexity of vaccine development, patent holdings, and financial relationships between government agencies and the pharmaceutical industry requires careful examination to ensure transparency and prioritise public health.
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Kennedy's anti-vaccine stance
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has been a vocal critic of vaccines and has made controversial statements about their safety and effectiveness. In 2017, Kennedy claimed that Donald Trump would appoint him to head a commission on vaccine safety and scientific integrity. This appointment never materialised, and Kennedy's anti-vaccine stance has only grown more extreme since then.
Kennedy has stated that the CDC is a privately-owned vaccine company, profiting $4.1 billion per year in vaccination sales and holding patents for at least 57 different vaccines. He alleges that the CDC is not an independent government agency but a subsidiary of Big Pharma, creating vast, undisclosed conflicts of interest in vaccine safety. Kennedy's supporters call for a comprehensive vaccine safety review and reform, including the universal right to refuse any and all vaccines without coercion.
Kennedy has also expressed concerns about the presence of mercury in vaccines, claiming that some babies are being injected with unsafe levels of ethylmercury, a preservative used in multi-dose vials of the influenza vaccine. He believes that mercury in vaccines is poisoning American children and that the federal government is complicit in this.
As the Health and Human Services Secretary, Kennedy has taken steps to address his concerns. He cancelled $500 million in funding for mRNA vaccine development, stating that safer and more effective vaccines are being developed. Kennedy has also suggested removing experts from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, which recommends vaccines for Americans.
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Kennedy's role in the Department of Health and Human Services
In 2025, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was sworn in as the 26th Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). In this role, Kennedy is responsible for administering and overseeing all HHS programs, operating divisions, and activities, including managing a nearly $2 trillion budget. The divisions under his purview include the National Institutes of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
Kennedy's nomination as Secretary of HHS was met with significant opposition from various quarters. Over 17,000 doctors who were members of the Committee to Protect Health Care signed an open letter urging the Senate to oppose his nomination, citing Kennedy's history of undermining public confidence in vaccines and spreading conspiracy theories. More than 80 organizations, including 75 Nobel Laureates, also voiced their opposition, expressing concern for the public's health if Kennedy were to assume this role.
Despite the controversy, Kennedy was confirmed by the Senate as Secretary of Health and Human Services by a vote of 52 to 48. Following his confirmation, President Trump signed Executive Order 14211, establishing the "Make America Healthy Again" (MAHA) Commission, with Kennedy as its chair. The commission's mandate was to investigate and address the root causes of America's escalating health crisis, with a particular focus on childhood chronic disease.
Kennedy's tenure as Secretary of HHS has been marked by controversy. He has been criticised for cancelling $500 million in funding for mRNA vaccine development, including vaccines to fight respiratory viruses like COVID-19 and the flu. Kennedy has defended his decision, stating that safer and more effective vaccines are being developed, specifically a "universal vaccine" that mimics "natural immunity".
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Kennedy's views on mercury in vaccines
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a well-known vaccine skeptic, has been vocal about his concerns regarding vaccine safety and the role of government agencies such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In 2018, Kennedy made headlines by claiming that the CDC is a privately owned vaccine company with financial interests in the vaccine industry. He argued that the CDC holds patents for various vaccines and generates significant revenue from vaccination sales, estimated at $4.1 billion annually. Kennedy asserted that the CDC is not truly independent but instead serves as a subsidiary of the pharmaceutical industry, creating conflicts of interest in its vaccine safety oversight role.
In response to Kennedy's claims about the CDC being a vaccine company, some have defended the agency's role in promoting public health. While acknowledging the potential for conflicts of interest, supporters argue that the CDC's involvement in vaccine development and sales is necessary for ensuring access to critical vaccines and advancing public health goals.
Kennedy's stance on vaccines has had a significant impact on policy. As Health Secretary, he formed a review team to assess the safety of COVID vaccines, despite criticism from experts and CDC employees who accused him of spreading misinformation. Kennedy's team planned to engage a range of experts, including leading scientists and clinicians, to review vaccine safety and efficacy independently.
Kennedy has also taken concrete actions that reflect his concerns about vaccine safety. In August 2025, he announced the cancellation of $500 million in funding for mRNA vaccine development, citing concerns about their effectiveness against respiratory viruses like COVID-19. He asserted that safer and more effective alternatives were being developed, specifically mentioning the potential for a "universal vaccine" that mimics natural immunity.
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Kennedy's cancellation of $500 million in funding for mRNA vaccine development
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the U.S. Health Secretary, announced the cancellation of $500 million in funding for 22 projects developing vaccines using mRNA technology. This decision is the latest in a series of moves by Kennedy that have raised concerns about his stance on vaccines.
Kennedy has long been a vaccine critic and sceptic, and his actions since taking office reflect this. He has taken steps to transform how the nation's health department develops and regulates vaccines, including firing a committee that issues vaccine recommendations and replacing them with vaccine critics. He also refused to endorse vaccinations during a measles outbreak and removed the COVID-19 vaccine from the recommended immunization schedule for healthy children and pregnant women.
The cancellation of funding for mRNA vaccine development is a significant blow to researchers, who have praised the potential of mRNA technology in fighting infectious diseases and cancer. mRNA vaccines have been credited with slowing the 2020 coronavirus pandemic and are valued for their rapid production capabilities, which are crucial in pandemic responses.
Kennedy, however, has expressed doubts about the effectiveness of mRNA vaccines, claiming that they do not protect against respiratory illnesses and that they can encourage new mutations and prolong pandemics. He has stated that the focus will now be on developing a "universal vaccine" that mimics "natural immunity" and will be effective against coronaviruses and the flu.
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has stated that the cancellation of mRNA vaccine projects reflects a ""shift in vaccine development priorities," and they will start investing in better solutions. They have also clarified that they support "safe, effective vaccines for every American who wants them."
This decision has sparked protests, with demonstrators voicing their concerns outside the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, where Kennedy met with Alaska Native leaders shortly after the announcement.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has claimed that the CDC is a privately-owned vaccine company, stating that it owns patents on at least 57 different vaccines and profits $4.1 billion per year in vaccination sales.
Kennedy cited the work of Mark Blaxill, an Intellectual Property expert, who found that the CDC holds patents on over 20 vaccines, including vaccines for the flu, rotavirus, hepatitis A, HIV, and anthrax, among others.
Kennedy's claim sparked controversy and was met with criticism from public health experts and media outlets. Some argued that his claim was not adequately supported by evidence, while others raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest and the impact on vaccine safety. Kennedy's stance on vaccines has also been linked to his role in the Department of Health and Human Services and his influence on American public health.
