Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. faced intense questioning at a Senate hearing on Thursday (September 4) regarding his vaccine policies and leadership during the Covid-19 pandemic. The hearing, held by the Senate Finance Committee, focused on Kennedy's controversial stance on vaccines and recent upheavals at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Democratic Senator Ron Wyden accused Kennedy of "elevating crackpots" and criticized the recent firing of CDC Director Susan Monarez. Kennedy defended his actions, stating that the CDC "failed miserably" during the pandemic and required new leadership. He asserted that the U.S. is the "sickest country in the world" and questioned the accuracy of COVID death statistics, claiming, "I don't think anybody knows" the true number of deaths.

Kennedy faced bipartisan criticism for restricting access to COVID-19 vaccines and appointing vaccine skeptics to key positions. Republican Senator Bill Cassidy challenged Kennedy on his promise not to disrupt vaccine access, stating, "We're denying people vaccines." Kennedy responded, "You're wrong."

The hearing also addressed the recent FDA decision to narrow COVID-19 vaccine eligibility to those aged 65 and older or with underlying conditions. Public health officials expressed concerns that this change could limit access for younger, healthy individuals.

Kennedy's actions have led to significant turmoil within the CDC, with several top officials resigning in protest. Senator Raphael Warnock questioned Kennedy about his handling of a recent shooting at the CDC headquarters in Atlanta, which was linked to vaccine misinformation.

Throughout the hearing, Kennedy maintained that his policies aimed to restore trust in public health by eliminating bureaucratic obstacles and promoting transparency. However, his approach has sparked concern among lawmakers and public health experts about the future of vaccine policy in the United States.

Armstrong & Getty