RFK Jr. Refused to Commit to Backing New CDC Director on Vaccines

New York Times
by Christina Jewett and Sheryl Gay Stolberg
April 21, 2026
2 min read

Quick Insights

The Bottom Line

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. refused to commit to supporting the new CDC Director on vaccine policies.

How This Affects You

This refusal could signal future challenges for public health initiatives, potentially impacting vaccine confidence and disease prevention efforts.

AI Summary

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. declined to commit to supporting the new CDC Director regarding vaccine policies during a congressional hearing. This refusal occurred as the health secretary, also present at the hearing, stated he bore no responsibility for the ongoing measles outbreak in the United States. The exchange highlights a potential conflict within the Trump administration's public health leadership regarding vaccine strategy and accountability for infectious disease control. The non-committal stance from Kennedy Jr. could signal future challenges for the CDC Director in implementing public health initiatives, especially concerning vaccine confidence and disease prevention efforts.

Source Coverage Map

2 of 43 tracked sources covered this story

5% coverage
Did Not Cover (41)
ICIJ97AP World News96AP News96AP US News96AP Top News96+36 more

Following this story?

Get notified when new coverage appears

Other Sources Covering This Story

1 source

Multiple outlets have reported on this story. Compare perspectives from different sources.

Story Tracker

This article is part of a story we're tracking:

RFK Jr.'s Health Agenda and Diminished Clout

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is defending his health agenda on Capitol Hill, facing questioning from Congress. His return to the Hill comes amidst reports of diminished political influence and scrutiny over his policies.

RFK Jr. Defends Health Agenda and Budget Cuts

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is actively defending his health agenda and President Trump's proposed budget cuts before Congress. He is also set to remake a key panel that determines which preventative services insurers must cover.

RFK Jr.'s Shifting Stance and Controversy on Health Issues

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is reportedly altering his public tone on vaccines despite their popularity. He has faced public criticism from members of Congress regarding his statements on health and President Trump's mental fitness.

RFK Jr. Under Scrutiny for Past Comments and Vaccine Stance

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is facing intense scrutiny over past comments, including remarks about Black children on ADHD medication, and his evolving public stance on vaccines. He has been publicly challenged by lawmakers and is reportedly changing his tone on vaccine popularity.

RFK Jr.'s Controversial Comments and Role as HHS Secretary

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is facing scrutiny and calls for resignation over past controversial comments, particularly regarding vaccines and Black children on ADHD medication. His public tone on vaccines is reportedly shifting, but he continues to engage in heated exchanges with members of Congress.

RFK Jr.'s Controversial Comments and Public Scrutiny

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is facing intense scrutiny over past controversial comments, particularly regarding Black children on ADHD medication and vaccine efficacy. He has been publicly challenged by lawmakers and is reportedly altering his public tone on vaccines.

RFK Jr.'s Controversies and Role as HHS Secretary

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., as Health and Human Services Secretary, has faced significant scrutiny and controversy regarding his past statements on vaccines and his interactions with members of Congress. His public persona and policy positions continue to be a subject of debate and political clashes.

RFK Jr.'s Controversial Statements and Role as HHS Secretary

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is facing scrutiny and calls for resignation over past comments, particularly regarding Black children on ADHD medication and vaccine efficacy. He has engaged in heated exchanges with members of Congress during hearings.

Controversy Around RFK Jr. and Health Policy

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., as Health and Human Services Secretary, has faced significant scrutiny and calls for resignation over controversial past comments, particularly concerning Black children on ADHD medication and his stance on vaccines. He has engaged in tense exchanges with members of Congress.

RFK Jr.'s Controversial Statements and White House Role

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is facing scrutiny over past comments, particularly concerning Black children on ADHD medication and vaccine efficacy. He has been publicly challenged by lawmakers and is reportedly altering his public tone on vaccines.

RFK Jr. Under Scrutiny for Past Comments and Vaccine Stance

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is facing intense scrutiny over past controversial comments, particularly regarding Black children on ADHD medication and his shifting stance on vaccines. He has engaged in heated exchanges with members of Congress, who have called for his resignation.

RFK Jr. Under Scrutiny for Vaccine Stance and Controversial Comments

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is facing intense scrutiny over his past comments on vaccines and other controversial statements. He has been publicly challenged by members of Congress and is reportedly altering his public tone on vaccines, though his underlying plans remain unclear.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s Controversial Public Statements

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is facing scrutiny and calls for resignation over controversial past comments, particularly concerning Black children on ADHD medication and vaccine efficacy. Despite public pressure, he appears to be adjusting his tone without changing his underlying positions.

RFK Jr.'s Controversial Statements and HHS Role

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., serving as Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary, faced scrutiny and calls for resignation over past controversial comments, particularly concerning vaccines and Black children on ADHD medication. He also made claims about the US's handling of measles outbreaks that drew attention.

Should this be getting more attention?

You Might Have Missed

Related stories from different sources and perspectives

Ex-Surgeon General says CDC director nominee will be under pressure to follow RFK on vaccines
Health

Ex-Surgeon General says CDC director nominee will be under pressure to follow RFK on vaccines

Dr. Jerome Adams, who served as Surgeon General in the first Trump administration, praised the new nominee to head the CDC, Dr. Erica Schwartz, but warned that she will be "under real threat to follow ideology over evidence in what is a vaccine-skeptical HHS."

CBS NewsApr 19
A vaccine standoff and other key moments from RFK Jr.'s first congressional hearing in months - AP News
Politics

A vaccine standoff and other key moments from RFK Jr.'s first congressional hearing in months - AP News

<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMirAFBVV95cUxQQXdWazdUYXhPcDVnWXRlUGRfTjdsRk9keWRzYjFrb0tHaS01X0gwUFNvb2hRcE1fSk5CNloybG9nU0QteTJPUXYyWFpSdFpSRkxCRlZqTHdVTlBEVDl3QnU2U1RWbDEzWGdja05Gd21zQXF3eTlBTktqM0kyWUJ0UWJLaEF2TWpYSTVqbGMxclNMcjNucnRDeUp2b0xVRzUxOGUzTHBBRlNaclBC?oc=5" target="_blank">A vaccine standoff and other key moments from RFK Jr.'s first congressional hearing in months</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<font color="#6f6f6f">AP News</font>

AP NewsApr 16
RFK Jr. is on a congressional hearing blitz, after a long absence from Capitol Hill
Politics

RFK Jr. is on a congressional hearing blitz, after a long absence from Capitol Hill

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. caps off seven budget hearings in as many days, the first time he has testified before Congress since September.

NPRApr 22
Erica Schwartz, former deputy surgeon general, nominated to be next CDC director by Trump
Health

Erica Schwartz, former deputy surgeon general, nominated to be next CDC director by Trump

The Atlanta-based CDC, which is charged with protecting Americans from preventable health threats, has been in turmoil since Trump returned to office more than a year ago, with a succession of mostly temporary leaders.

PBS NewsHourApr 16
RFK Jr’s podcast has glimmers of his old show – will he address health issues differently?
Politics

RFK Jr’s podcast has glimmers of his old show – will he address health issues differently?

<p>Secretary Kennedy Podcast so far seems designed to promote Trump administration talking points over any specific public health message</p><p>Robert F Kennedy Jr’s new Secretary Kennedy Podcast is a show that, so far, appears designed to promote Trump administration talking points over any specific public health message.</p><p>Though, based on the trailer and episode one, which dropped last week, one might expect the Secretary Kennedy Podcast to be quite similar to the health secretary’s former show, The RFK Jr Podcast. In the trailer that dropped ahead of his new podcast’s release, Kennedy says: “Children are sicker, chronic disease is exploding and the answers we’ve been given aren’t working” – talking points that were common on his old series. He even adds: “Many of us have come to the conclusion that the government actually lies to us,” a statement that might have served his former podcast better, given that Kennedy is now a senior figure in the government.</p> <a href="https:...

The Guardian US NewsApr 20
Maryland separates from RFK Jr. vaccine guidance
Health

Maryland separates from RFK Jr. vaccine guidance

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D) signed the Vax Act, which directs the state's health secretary to issue official recommendations for immunizations, screening and preventive services, rather than relying on the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP).

The HillApr 15
Read Next
Trump labor secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer resigns amid misconduct investigation - The Guardian
Politics

Trump labor secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer resigns amid misconduct investigation - The Guardian

Continue reading

Did this story change how you see things?

Stories like this only matter when people see them. Help us get verified journalism in front of more eyes.

Share this story

Get the daily digest

Save for later

The Verity Ledger curates verified investigative journalism from trusted sources only.

See our sources