Stop RFK's Attacks on Vaccine Access and HHS Transparency

On February 28th, Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. posted a proposal to end HHS’ 54-year policy of accepting public comments from individuals and groups of health experts on potential new rules and regulations. This proposal comes despite Kennedy’s stated desire for “a new era of radical transparency” for HHS and HHS officials’ claims that important meetings of US vaccine advisers were being postponed to allow more time for public comment.

Kennedy’s move to block the public from commenting on HHS policies comes at a time when child flu deaths are at an all-time high, vaccination rates are on the decline, and cases of measles are surging. Kennedy is a notorious skeptic of vaccinations and, despite his confirmation hearing promises, is actively undermining vaccine access by blocking CDC vaccination outreach campaigns and pledging to “investigate” the evidence-based childhood vaccine schedule.

Without a public comment period, HHS can simply announce massive and potentially dangerous changes to their policies. Removing the opportunity for public input on HHS rules amid the rise of anti-vaccination sentiment and vaccine-preventable illnesses is not just bad government, it is a direct threat to public health. Congress must vocally oppose Kennedy’s attempts to push through his anti-science agenda without any oversight from the general public or expert advisors.