Logan Reed
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s lawyer, Aaron Siri, has petitioned the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to revoke approval of the polio vaccine, which has protected millions of people from a potentially deadly virus that can cause paralysis. Kennedy, President-elect Donald Trump's choice for health secretary, has expressed anti-vaccine views and claimed that the polio vaccine cost more lives than it saved. He has also suggested that the vaccine did not significantly reduce polio cases and that it caused a wave of cancers. While Kennedy has denied being anti-vaccination, he has repeatedly made false claims about vaccine harm and safety, including linking vaccines to autism, which has been debunked by scientists. The potential impact of Kennedy's views and his association with Siri has raised concerns as he prepares for his confirmation hearing and his role in shaping health policies.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of Person | Robert F. Kennedy Jr. |
| Position | President-elect Donald J. Trump’s choice to lead the Department of Health and Human Services |
| Lawyer | Aaron Siri |
| Petition | Revoke approval of the polio vaccine |
| Petition Filed | 2022 |
| Vaccine | IPOL, a stand-alone polio vaccine |
| Target Age Group | Children |
| Reason | Insufficient safety studies |
| Response | FDA spokeswoman Cherie Duvall-Jones said the FDA is continuing to review the petition |
| Kennedy's Response | Kennedy did not respond to written questions about whether he agrees with revoking approval of the IPOL polio vaccine |
| Kennedy's Spokesperson's Response | "Mr. Kennedy believes the polio vaccine should be available to the public and thoroughly and properly studied." |
| Kennedy's Views | Kennedy has consistently expressed views about the polio vaccine that are at odds with the medical consensus. He has suggested that the vaccine did not wipe out the disease in the U.S. and that it might have caused a wave of cancers. |
| Kennedy's Views on Vaccine Safety | Kennedy says he wants to improve the science on vaccine safety which he believes has "huge deficits". He wants people to make informed choices. |
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What You'll Learn
- RFK Jr.'s lawyer asked the FDA to revoke the polio vaccine approval
- RFK Jr. distances himself from anti-vaccine views
- RFK Jr. says he wants to improve the science on vaccine safety
- RFK Jr. has repeatedly stated widely debunked claims about vaccine harm
- RFK Jr. says the polio vaccine should be available to the public
RFK Jr.'s lawyer asked the FDA to revoke the polio vaccine approval
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s personal attorney, Aaron Siri, petitioned the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to revoke its approval of the polio vaccine. Siri has long fought against the prevalence of vaccines and has filed petitions seeking to pause the distribution of other vaccines, including hepatitis B and COVID-19 vaccines. He has also challenged and, in some cases, quashed COVID-19 vaccine mandates across the country.
Siri's 2022 petition specifically targeted IPOL, the only stand-alone vaccine used in the U.S. to protect against polio. The petition asks the FDA to suspend the vaccine's approval for infants, toddlers, and children until a "properly controlled and properly powered double-blind trial of sufficient duration is conducted." Siri argues that the polio vaccine, along with the hepatitis B vaccine, has not been tested against placebos in randomized, double-blind clinical trials, which is the gold standard for medical research.
If confirmed as health secretary, Kennedy would oversee the FDA and could intervene in the review of Siri's petitions. Kennedy has tried to distance himself from his previous anti-vaccine views, stating that he does not want to take away access to any vaccines. However, his close partnership with Siri and his involvement in vetting candidates for health jobs in the Trump administration have raised concerns about Kennedy's true position on vaccines.
The polio vaccine has been in use in the United States since 1955 and is deemed safe and effective, leading to the elimination of natural polio transmission in the country since 1979. Before the vaccine was developed, polio killed thousands and paralyzed thousands more annually. Efforts to undermine confidence in the vaccine are considered dangerous and uninformed by medical experts and politicians alike.
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RFK Jr. distances himself from anti-vaccine views
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s lawyer, Aaron Siri, has petitioned the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to revoke approval of the polio vaccine. Siri has also filed a petition to pause the distribution of 13 other vaccines, including Hepatitis B, and to revoke the emergency-use authorization of COVID-19 vaccines. Kennedy has tried to distance himself from his previous anti-vaccine views, stating that he is "not anti-vaccine". He has also said that he does not want to take away access to any vaccines. However, Kennedy has faced scrutiny for his relationship with Siri and his own skepticism of vaccines. During a hearing before the Senate Finance Committee, senators questioned Kennedy's views on vaccines and whether he was limiting access and undermining trust in public health agencies.
While Kennedy has maintained that he supports transparency and choice regarding vaccines, his actions and associations have raised concerns among lawmakers and health experts. Senator Mitch McConnell, a survivor of childhood polio, warned that efforts to undermine public confidence in vaccines are "dangerous." Kennedy's nomination as health secretary and his continued association with Siri have brought increased attention to his stance on vaccines.
During his confirmation hearing in January 2025, Kennedy repeatedly dismissed scientific consensus and cited flawed or tangential research. His responses raised doubts about his understanding of mainstream science and his ability to interpret data accurately. Kennedy's statements and actions have had direct consequences, with some states limiting or blocking access to COVID-19 vaccines and considering ending vaccine requirements for schoolchildren.
As health secretary, Kennedy has stated that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will focus on restoring public trust in vaccines. He acknowledges the divisive nature of the vaccine debate and aims to prioritize unbiased science and transparency. Kennedy has expressed skepticism about the regulatory processes and conflicts of interest within vaccine advisory committees. He has pledged to appoint new members who will exercise independent judgment and foster a culture of critical inquiry.
While Kennedy distances himself from anti-vaccine views, his actions and associations suggest a nuanced position. He emphasizes transparency and the need for rigorous scientific scrutiny, which has led to concerns about undermining public trust in vaccines and public health institutions.
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RFK Jr. says he wants to improve the science on vaccine safety
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s lawyer, Aaron Siri, has petitioned the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to revoke approval of the polio vaccine. Kennedy has tried to distance himself from his previous anti-vaccine views and has denied being anti-vaccination, stating that he and his children are vaccinated. However, he has repeatedly made false claims about vaccine harm, such as the widely debunked claim that "autism comes from vaccines." Kennedy has also said that he wants to improve the science on vaccine safety and transparency, and give people choices.
In an email to ABC News, a representative for Siri stated that even if the petition to revoke the polio vaccine is granted by the FDA, adults and children in the United States would still be able to receive polio vaccines as the petition only concerned one of several polio-containing vaccines and its licensure for children. Kennedy's spokeswoman, Katie Miller, reiterated that Kennedy has long advocated for transparency in vaccines and providing people with choices.
Despite these statements, Kennedy's actions and close association with Siri have raised concerns among lawmakers and public health officials. Senator Mitch McConnell, a childhood polio survivor, warned that efforts to undermine public confidence in vaccines are "not just uninformed—they're dangerous." Kennedy's nomination as health secretary by President-elect Trump has also been met with criticism due to his history of promoting conspiracy theories and misinformation campaigns.
In response to these concerns, Kennedy has taken steps to restore public trust in vaccines. Under his direction, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has prioritized restoring public trust above any pro- or anti-vaccine agenda. Kennedy has reconstituted the Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices (ACIP) to address conflicts of interest and a lack of transparency within the committee. He has also dismissed the CDC vaccine advisory panel and filled scientific advisory boards with conspiracy theorists, claiming that these actions are necessary to ensure unbiased science guides health recommendations.
While Kennedy asserts that his actions aim to improve vaccine safety and restore public trust, critics argue that his rejection of well-established science and promotion of conspiracy theories endanger the lives of millions, particularly children. They point to his influence as the nation's top health official and his impact on vaccine access and public perception.
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RFK Jr. has repeatedly stated widely debunked claims about vaccine harm
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (RFK Jr.), President-elect Donald J. Trump's choice to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, has repeatedly expressed views about the polio vaccine that contradict medical consensus. RFK Jr. has suggested that the vaccine did not significantly reduce polio cases and that it might have caused a wave of cancers, killing many more people than polio ever did. These opinions have been scrutinised and deemed false by medical experts, who affirm the safety and efficacy of the polio vaccine. RFK Jr.'s statements contribute to a broader pattern of him stating widely debunked claims about vaccine harm.
RFK Jr.'s lawyer, Aaron Siri, who has a history of fighting against vaccines, petitioned the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2022 to revoke approval of the polio vaccine, specifically targeting IPOL, the only standalone polio vaccine in the US. The petition, filed on behalf of the Informed Consent Action Network (ICAN), an anti-vaccine group, requested the suspension of the vaccine for children until further safety studies were conducted. This petition sparked concerns about RFK Jr.'s alignment with anti-vaccine sentiments, given his close association with Siri and his role in selecting federal health officials.
In response to the petition, RFK Jr. stated that he wants transparency in vaccines and to give people choices. He affirmed his support for the polio vaccine, emphasising that it should be available to the public while being properly studied. However, his statements have been met with scepticism, with public health experts highlighting the overwhelming evidence of the polio vaccine's safety and efficacy. They argue that RFK Jr. and his allies have consistently made false safety claims.
RFK Jr.'s stance on vaccines has been a subject of controversy. While he has denied being anti-vaccination, he has repeatedly linked vaccines to autism, a claim that has been debunked by scientists. Additionally, he has expressed concerns about vaccine safety, stating that there is no vaccine that is completely safe and effective. These statements have been criticised by experts, who argue that RFK Jr. perpetuates myths around vaccination and could set back public health efforts, endangering the lives of many, especially children.
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RFK Jr. says the polio vaccine should be available to the public
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s lawyer, Aaron Siri, has petitioned the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to revoke approval for the use of the polio vaccine on children. However, Kennedy has stated that he does not want to take away access to any vaccines. Kennedy's spokeswoman, Katie Miller, affirmed this, saying, "Mr. Kennedy believes the polio vaccine should be available to the public and thoroughly and properly studied."
Despite this statement, Kennedy has a history of expressing views about the polio vaccine that contradict the medical consensus. He has suggested that the vaccine did not significantly reduce polio cases and that it may have caused a wave of cancers, killing many more people than polio. These opinions have been scrutinized and dismissed by experts, who maintain that the vaccine is safe and effective. Kennedy has also been criticized for perpetuating myths and making false claims about vaccine safety.
While Kennedy has tried to distance himself from his previous anti-vaccine stance, his continued association with Siri and his upcoming role as health secretary have raised concerns. If confirmed, he will oversee the FDA, which is responsible for vaccine safety. This has led to calls for him to clarify his position on the polio vaccine and assure the public that he will not limit access to vaccines.
In response to the concerns, Kennedy has stated, "I'm all for the polio vaccine," and President-elect Donald Trump has declared, "You're not going to lose the polio vaccine. That's not going to happen." However, Kennedy's lawyer has maintained his position on the petition, arguing that it pertains only to one of several polio-containing vaccines and its licensure for children.
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Frequently asked questions
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s lawyer, Aaron Siri, petitioned the FDA to revoke approval of the polio vaccine. However, Kennedy has stated that he does not want to take away access to any vaccines and that the polio vaccine should be available to the public.
Kennedy has expressed anti-vaccine views, suggesting that the polio vaccine cost more lives than it saved and that it did not wipe out the disease in the U.S. He has also claimed that the idea that the vaccine resulted in a drastic decline in polio cases is "just not true".
The outcome of the petition is unclear. Kennedy did not respond to written questions about whether he agreed with revoking approval of the polio vaccine. However, President-elect Donald Trump, who selected Kennedy to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, stated that Americans would not lose access to the polio vaccine.
