WASHINGTON — Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was at the center of a contentious congressional hearing on May 14, 2025, where he faced pointed questions and criticism regarding his position on vaccine use amid a significant measles outbreak in the United States. Lawmakers from both parties confronted Kennedy over what they perceived as an ambiguous stance towards vaccinations for preventable diseases such as measles, chickenpox, and polio.
During the hearing, Democratic Rep. Mark Pocan of Wisconsin queried Kennedy on whether he would vaccinate his own children against measles, to which Kennedy hesitantly responded, “Probably for measles.” His answer to queries about the chickenpox vaccine and reluctance to directly address polio vaccinations underscored his controversial views on public health.
Kennedy, known for his skepticism of vaccine efficacy and safety, cautioned against seeking medical advice from him, stating, “I don’t want to be giving advice. Everybody can make that decision.” His reluctance to endorse vaccinations has been problematic, especially given the surging measles cases across 31 states, which public health officials claim is majorly affecting unvaccinated individuals.
As of the date of the hearing, the U.S. was grappling with its worst measles outbreak in 25 years, recording more than 1,000 cases with Texas hardest hit, revealing over 500 incidents. Alarmingly, the outbreak has led to several deaths, including two children in Texas, escalating fears among public health officials regarding widespread vaccine hesitancy.
Criticism also extended to staffing decisions within the Department of Health and Human Services, with bipartisan concerns voiced by lawmakers such as Republican Rep. Mike Simpson from Idaho, who critiqued Kennedy’s stance against water fluoridation — an issue he believes could compromise dental health care.
Kennedy’s leadership, characterized by some as inconsistent and confusing, has also seen him endorse alternatives like vitamin A to boost immunity against measles. Medical professionals have criticized this approach, attributing a rise in vitamin A toxicity incidents in West Texas to Kennedy’s recommendations. His prior leadership of Children’s Health Defense, a known anti-vaccine group, has further fueled doubts about his suitability as HHS Secretary.
Former HHS Secretary Alex Azar, in contrast, consistently promoted vaccinations during his tenure, including during a 2019 measles outbreak, asserting the safety and efficacy of vaccines as crucial for public health.
Despite Kennedy’s previous acknowledgment in a co-authored op-ed that vaccines are vital for shielding children from measles and ensuring community immunity, his persistent framing of vaccination as a personal choice has sparked concern among health experts. They worry this stance could undermine efforts to combat not just measles, but also other preventable diseases.
Kennedy’s qualifications have also been a point of contention. With degrees in law and environmental policy and no formal medical training, his role as the top health official in the nation has been described by some lawmakers and health experts as inappropriate given the current health crisis.
As the nation continues to deal with this dangerous measles outbreak, Kennedy’s enigmatic and often contradictory position creates additional challenges for public health officials aiming to manage and eventually eradicate the spread. His testimony lays bare the complex web of issues at the leadership of the Health and Human Services amidst one of the most severe public health challenges of the past few decades.