Health Secretary Kennedy Shifts Tone on Vaccines, but Doubts Remain

Despite public concessions, Kennedy's allies continue pushing to roll back vaccine policies.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 11:09pm

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In a surprising move, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a longtime vaccine skeptic, appeared to change his tune this week, conceding that the measles vaccine is safe and effective for 'most people' and putting forth a slate of pro-vaccine doctors to lead the CDC. However, Kennedy is still surrounded by allies who are pushing him to roll back existing vaccine policies, and his department is fighting a lawsuit filed by major medical organizations seeking to prevent the government from implementing a series of vaccine policy changes, including the elimination of a recommendation that infants be vaccinated against hepatitis B at birth.

Why it matters

Kennedy's shift in rhetoric comes as vaccines have become widely popular among the public, with high vaccination rates across the country. However, his continued alliance with vaccine skeptics and his department's legal battles raise concerns that he may still be planning to revive his campaign to question the safety and effectiveness of vaccines, particularly after the upcoming midterm elections.

The details

Despite his public concessions, Kennedy's department is fighting a lawsuit filed by six major medical organizations that seeks to prevent the government from implementing a series of vaccine policy changes, including the elimination of a longstanding recommendation that infants be vaccinated against hepatitis B at birth. Kennedy also defended the new hepatitis B recommendation and the Trump administration's decision to withdraw funding for an international alliance that helps vaccinate children in poor nations.

  • This week, Kennedy appeared to change his tune on vaccines during several congressional hearings.
  • Last week, the CDC published a new charter for a vaccine advisory committee that enables Kennedy to sidestep a federal court ruling barring changes to the panel.
  • The lawsuit filed by the six major medical organizations is ongoing.

The players

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

The current Health Secretary and a longtime vaccine skeptic who has now appeared to change his tone on vaccines, though doubts remain about his true intentions.

Aaron Siri

A lawyer who is pushing Kennedy to roll back existing vaccine policies.

Richard H. Hughes IV

A lawyer representing the American Academy of Pediatrics in the lawsuit against the government's vaccine policy changes.

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What they’re saying

“I think he is still a wolf in sheep's clothing, just like he was in his confirmation hearings. I think if anybody is not looking at him during this and reminding themselves of his confirmation hearings, they're going to be in for a rude awakening.”

— Richard H. Hughes IV, Lawyer representing the American Academy of Pediatrics

What’s next

The federal court case seeking to prevent the government from implementing vaccine policy changes is ongoing, and the outcome could have significant implications for the future of the nation's vaccine policies under Kennedy's leadership.

The takeaway

While Kennedy's recent public statements suggest a shift in his stance on vaccines, his continued alliance with vaccine skeptics and his department's legal battles raise doubts about the sincerity of this change. The upcoming midterm elections and the outcome of the federal court case will be crucial in determining whether Kennedy will revive his campaign to question the safety and effectiveness of vaccines.