RFK Jr. Criticizes American Academy of Pediatrics Over Its Vaccine Guidelines
The gloves have come off in Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s feud with American doctors.
In a post on social media platform X, Kennedy accused the American Academy of Pediatrics, the professional society for doctors who care for children, of engaging in a "pay-to-play scheme to promote the commercial ambitions of AAP's Big Pharma benefactors."
In a post on social media platform X, Kennedy accused the American Academy of Pediatrics, the professional society for doctors who care for children, of engaging in a "pay-to-play scheme to promote the commercial ambitions of AAP's Big Pharma benefactors."
Kennedy mentioned payments from Pfizer and Moderna, among other pharmaceutical companies, to the pediatricians' Friends of Children Fund, which supports projects improving children's health and health equity. Kennedy claimed the contributions constituted a conflict of interest and may have influenced the group's decision to recommend COVID-19 vaccinations for young infants aged 6 to 23 months.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention discontinued its recommendation that all children aged 6 months and up receive Covid vaccinations in May. At the time, Kennedy claimed the decision was based on "common sense" and "good science."
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention discontinued its recommendation that all children aged 6 months and up receive Covid vaccinations in May. At the time, Kennedy claimed the decision was based on "common sense" and "good science."
The AAP, on the other hand, stated that it will continue to advise young children to get the vaccinations because they are still at risk of severe forms of the disease. "COVID-19 continues to result in hospitalization and death in the pediatric population," the group stated in a statement outlining its recommendations, adding that "children younger than 2 years old are especially vulnerable to severe COVID-19 and should be prioritized for vaccination."
HHS spokesperson Andrew Nixon accused the doctors of "freelancing their own recommendations, while smearing those who demand accountability" in a statement to POLITICO earlier Tuesday.
HHS spokesperson Andrew Nixon accused the doctors of "freelancing their own recommendations, while smearing those who demand accountability" in a statement to POLITICO earlier Tuesday.
In response, AAP President Susan J. Kressly supported her organization's policy, stating that it was "based only on the science, the needs of children, and the care that pediatricians have for the children in every community."
Kressly described Kennedy's attack as "unfortunate," but said the AAP was still eager to speak with him. She stated that her group made "rigorous conflict-of-interest disclosures."
Despite disagreements about immunization for young children, both the new CDC guidance and clinicians continue to suggest injections for children with underlying illnesses that put them at risk for serious disease. Both have also reduced their recommendations for healthy children over the age of six months, stating that parents of children without underlying illnesses should consult with their pediatrician before deciding on vaccination.
Kressly described Kennedy's attack as "unfortunate," but said the AAP was still eager to speak with him. She stated that her group made "rigorous conflict-of-interest disclosures."
Despite disagreements about immunization for young children, both the new CDC guidance and clinicians continue to suggest injections for children with underlying illnesses that put them at risk for serious disease. Both have also reduced their recommendations for healthy children over the age of six months, stating that parents of children without underlying illnesses should consult with their pediatrician before deciding on vaccination.
Why does it matter: The pediatricians' disagreement with the CDC highlights the level of animosity between the medical establishment and Kennedy, a longstanding vaccination skeptic who previously declared the Covid vaccine to be "the deadliest vaccine ever made" against scientific consensus.
Prior to Kennedy's appointment, the FDA and pediatricians agreed on vaccine recommendations; however, Kennedy's efforts to alter federal vaccine policy have strained the relationship. Earlier this summer, he removed all members of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, an expert body that advises the CDC on vaccines, and replaced them with individuals who have a history of vaccine skepticism. Kennedy just canceled $500 million set aside for mRNA technology research, which was utilized to develop the Moderna and Pfizer Covid vaccines.
Prior to Kennedy's appointment, the FDA and pediatricians agreed on vaccine recommendations; however, Kennedy's efforts to alter federal vaccine policy have strained the relationship. Earlier this summer, he removed all members of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, an expert body that advises the CDC on vaccines, and replaced them with individuals who have a history of vaccine skepticism. Kennedy just canceled $500 million set aside for mRNA technology research, which was utilized to develop the Moderna and Pfizer Covid vaccines.
His current remark is not the first time he has insulted doctors. The May report from his Make America Health Again Commission assessing the causes of chronic disease in children was laced with accusations that doctors are influenced by the pharmaceutical industry to overprescribe certain medications and fail to treat the root causes of disease.
The break also occurs as children return to school and the yearly fall vaccination campaign for Covid and influenza begins.
The break also occurs as children return to school and the yearly fall vaccination campaign for Covid and influenza begins.
Kennedy suggested in his X post that the pediatric group may be exposing its member doctors to liability, stating that "AAP should also be candid with doctors and hospitals that recommendations that diverge from the CDC's official list are not shielded from liability under the 1986 Vaccine Injury Act."
The National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, established by that statute, does not cover Covid vaccines, but Kennedy has stated that he intends to revamp the system for compensating those who suffer major side effects from vaccinations. He would most likely require the approval of Congress to amend it.
The National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, established by that statute, does not cover Covid vaccines, but Kennedy has stated that he intends to revamp the system for compensating those who suffer major side effects from vaccinations. He would most likely require the approval of Congress to amend it.