How RFK Jr.'s Views on Vaccines, Fluoride, and Raw Milk Could Impact Public Health

Kennedy's discredited statements on various public health issues make him a controversial choice to head the Department of Health and Human Services.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who once competed against Donald Trump for the presidency, has now been chosen by the President-elect to lead the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. In this photo, Kennedy is seen addressing a crowd at a Trump campaign rally in Glendale, Arizona, back in August.

The announcement that President-elect Donald Trump has selected Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to head the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has sparked renewed interest in many of Kennedy's statements regarding public health. 

Kennedy was named as Trump’s choice on November 14. If approved by the U.S. Senate, he will lead a department responsible for overseeing numerous agencies that regulate critical public health initiatives and support scientific research. This includes organizations such as the National Institutes of Health, the Food and Drug Administration, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Consequently, Kennedy could play a significant role in decisions related to vaccine and drug approvals, food regulations, and more—issues that directly impact nearly everyone.

Many of Kennedy's perspectives on health matters contradict years of research and the widely accepted views of the scientific and medical communities, yet he has attracted a significant public following. Below is an overview of the well-established science behind some of the key concerns Kennedy has raised in the past, which could potentially be influenced by the new administration.

Fact: Vaccines Save Lives

Kennedy has become a prominent figure in the anti-vaccine movement. In a July 2023 interview with podcaster Lex Fridman, he stated, “There’s no vaccine that is, you know, safe and effective.”  

This claim is false. According to the World Health Organization, vaccines “have saved more human lives than any other medical innovation in history,” a statement supported by extensive evidence. 

 

In the United States, numerous infectious diseases, such as polio, diphtheria, measles, and smallpox, caused hundreds of thousands of illnesses during the 20th century. By the century's end, cases of these diseases had decreased by 95 to 100 percent, largely due to the widespread use of vaccines.

During the coronavirus pandemic, COVID-19 vaccines saved an estimated 14.4 million lives worldwide in their first year of use, from December 2020 to December 2021, according to researchers in The Lancet Infectious Diseasesin 2022.  

The positive impact of vaccines continues to be well-documented. Since 1974, immunization against 14 different pathogens has prevented 154 million deaths globally, the majority of which were among children. In fact, vaccines have averted 146 million deaths in children under the age of 5, researchers reported in The Lancet in May.  

In the United States, routine childhood vaccinations for children born between 1994 and 2023 are estimated to have prevented 508 million cases of illness, avoided 32 million hospitalizations, and saved the lives of 1.1 million children, according to a report published in the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report in August.

Misinformation and false claims about vaccine safety have been around for decades, but social media has amplified their reach (SN: 11/11/21). Kennedy’s own Instagram account was removed from 2021 to 2023 for sharing disproven claims about the COVID-19 pandemic and vaccines.

However,widespreadmisinformation about vaccine safety has been thoroughly debunked by extensive research. For instance, vaccines do not weaken the body’s ability to generate an immune response. 

 

Vaccines undergo rigorous testing in human trials to ensure their safety and effectiveness before receiving approval from the FDA. Even after they are licensed, multiple national monitoring systems continue to track and verify vaccine safety.

"Vaccines are the safest and most cost-effective way to protect children, families, and communities from illness, disability, and death," said Benjamin Hoffman, president of the American Academy of Pediatrics, in a statement on November 15.

Fact: The Measles Vaccine Does Not Cause Autism

Despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary, anti-vaccine advocates, including Kennedy, continue to promote the debunked claim that vaccines cause autism. This myth originated from a 1998 study published in The Lancet, which falsely claimed a connection between the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine and autism. The study was based on fraudulent data and was later retracted, but the misinformation had already spread, fueling the mistaken belief that vaccines in general could lead to autism.  

The science is clear there is no credible evidence to suggest that vaccines or any of their ingredientscause autism spectrum disorders.  

While the exact causes of autism remain unclear, researchers believe they are likely multifaceted. Current theories focus on early differences in brain development, potentially beginning before birth. Scientists are studying genetic variations, as well as differences in how neurons develop, as possible factors. They are also exploring methods to identify autism earlier in life. 

Fact: Fluoride in Water Strengthens Teeth

Earlier this month, Kennedy announced his intention to eliminate fluoride from drinking water.  

Fluoride, a naturally occurring mineral, has a unique ability to protect teeth. When bacteria produce acid that erodes tooth enamel, fluoride steps in to repair the damage. It encourages other strong minerals, such as calcium and phosphate, to bind to the weakened area in a process known as remineralization. This helps prevent cavities and strengthens teeth.  

For this reason, fluoride has been added to public water supplies in the United States since the 1940s—a practice the CDC recognized in 1999 as one of the top 10 public health achievements of the 20th century.

Kennedy and other fluoride critics argue that the mineral could harm the developing brains of children. While it’s true that excessive fluoride can be harmful, the key factor is the amount. There have been cases of fluoride toxicity reported globally, but as the saying goes, "the dose makes the poison." In the United States, the recommended level of fluoride is 0.7 milligrams per liter of water, a safe amount far below what has been associated with any harmful effects.  

In some communities that have removed fluoride from their water, there has been a noticeable increase in tooth decay. For example, in Calgary, Canada, where fluoridation was halted in 2011, children experienced more tooth decay compared to those in neighboring Edmonton, where fluoride continued to be added to the water. Similar increases in dental issues have been observed in Israel after fluoridation stopped in 2014, and in Juneau, Alaska, after the practice ended in 2007.  

Untreated cavities can cause pain, difficulty eating and speaking, and lead to social and emotional distress. In severe cases, untreated tooth decay can even result in death. Medical organizations like the World Health Organization, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the American Dental Association continue to support the use of fluoride in drinking water for its proven benefits in preventing tooth decay.

Fact: Microbes in Raw Milk Can Make People Sick

In an October 25 post on X, Kennedy accused the FDA of "aggressive suppression" of various substances, including raw milk.  

Raw milk hasn’t undergone pasteurization, a process where food products are heated to eliminate harmful bacteria. Advocates of raw milk often claim it offers benefits, such as promoting gut health through bacteria found in the milk. However, these bacteria come from the cows or the farm environment, and only microbes from humans are typically beneficial to our health.  

The pasteurization process is crucial for food safety, according to both the FDA and CDC. Drinking raw milk can expose people to dangerous bacteria like E. coli, Salmonella, and Listeria, all of which can lead to serious illnesses.  

Additionally, genetic traces of bird flu have been found in milk during an outbreak in U.S. dairy cows. While pasteurization kills the virus, it can remain in raw milk, posing a potential health risk. Studies show that mice consuming milk contaminated with the virus can become infected with bird flu, which suggests humans might also be at risk.

Fact: Hydroxychloroquine and Ivermectin Don’t Treat COVID-19

Hydroxychloroquine and ivermectin, two drugs that gained significant attention during the COVID-19 pandemic, were also mentioned in Kennedy’s October 25 post on X. While initial laboratory studies on cells in dishes raised some hope that these treatments might help COVID patients, numerous studies since then have shown that hydroxychloroquine, an antimalarial drug, and ivermectin, an antiparasitic, are ineffective against the coronavirus.

Despite the overwhelming evidence proving these drugs don't work for COVID, some individuals, including Kennedy, continue to wrongly assert that they could have saved lives during the pandemic. In a July 2023 interview with Fox News, Kennedy claimed that fewer people would have died if hydroxychloroquine and ivermectin had been widely available to treat COVID. The FDA initially authorized hydroxychloroquine for emergency use in the early days of the pandemic, but withdrew that approval after studies showed it was no more effective than a placebo at preventing or reducing the severity of the disease.