President-elect Donald Trump has reassured the public that his nominee for Secretary of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., will not seek to remove established vaccines, such as the polio vaccine, from the market. During a press conference at Mar-a-Lago, Trump emphasized Kennedy’s rational approach, stating, “You’re not going to lose the polio vaccine. That’s not going to happen.” He acknowledged the historical significance of the polio vaccine, noting its role in ending the polio epidemic and praising Dr. Jonas Salk’s contributions.
Trump also addressed concerns about rising autism rates, suggesting the need for further investigation into potential environmental factors, including pesticides. He highlighted that countries like those in Europe, which use fewer pesticides, have better mortality rates, implying a possible link worth exploring. Additionally, Trump criticized the high cost of medicines in the United States compared to other countries, indicating plans to address pharmaceutical pricing disparities during his administration.
These statements come amid scrutiny of Kennedy’s past vaccine skepticism. However, both Trump and Kennedy have clarified that there are no intentions to revoke essential vaccines. Kennedy has stated, “If vaccines are working for somebody, I’m not going to take them away,” emphasizing informed choice and vaccine safety.
The administration’s focus appears to be on ensuring vaccine safety, investigating environmental health factors, and reducing pharmaceutical costs, rather than eliminating established vaccination programs.
PRESIDENT TRUMP: “I think you’re going to find that @RobertKennedyJr is a very rational guy… You’re not going to lose the Polio vaccine. That’s not going to happen.” pic.twitter.com/kuUpwYvwNm
— Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) December 16, 2024