In The Politics of Autism, I analyze the myth that vaccines cause autism. This bogus idea can hurt people by allowing diseases to spread. Examples include measles, COVID, flu, and polio.
A number of posts discussed Trump's support for the discredited notion.
Another leading anti-vaxxer is presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. He has repeatedly compared vaccine mandates to the Holocaust. Rolling Stone and Salon retracted an RFK article linking vaccines to autism. He is part of the "Disinformation Dozen."
He is now Trump's nominee to head HHS.
Scott Gottlieb, who served as commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) during President-elect Trump’s first term, expressed concerns with the pick of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) due to his anti-vaccine advocacy.
“I think if RFK follows through on his intentions, and I believe he will, and I believe he can, it will cost lives in this country,” he said during a Friday appearance on CNBC’s “Squawk Box.”
“You’re going to see measles, mumps and rubella vaccination rates go down, and like I said, if we lose another 5 percent [of vaccinations], which could happen in the next year or two, we will see large measles outbreaks,” he continued.
Many are worried Kennedy, who would need to be confirmed by the Senate to become HHS secretary, will amplify vaccine hesitancy for children despite his promise not to take away vaccines.
Gottlieb said he doesn’t think Trump wants to see a “resurgence” in infectious diseases, such as measles, polio and whopping cough. But he noted the nation’s doctors aren’t prepared to provide patients with diagnoses for diseases that have been largely absent for several decades, which could rise if vaccine rates drop.
