Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s confirmation hearing for the position of Health and Human Services Secretary was dominated by questions surrounding his past statements on vaccines, specifically his assertion that Black Americans should follow a different vaccination schedule than White Americans. Maryland Senator Angela Alsobrooks, one of two Black women serving in the Senate, directly challenged Kennedy on his 2021 claim, which she deemed “dangerous.”
Kennedy attempted to justify his position by referencing studies conducted in Poland that supposedly showed a stronger immune response to certain antigens among Black individuals. He suggested this indicated a need for fewer antigens in their vaccination regimen. Alsobrooks pressed Kennedy, asking what specific vaccine schedule he would recommend for her. Kennedy reiterated his claim about the Polish study and the need for fewer antigens for Black people.
Alsobrooks strongly condemned Kennedy’s comments, emphasizing the potential harm of disseminating such misinformation, particularly given his influence. She expressed concern that his views could deter individuals from receiving necessary vaccinations and stated her intention to vote against his nomination due to the danger they pose to public health.
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Senator Angela Alsobrooks arriving at the Capitol.
NPR reported that Kennedy seemed to be misinterpreting research from the Mayo Clinic on racial differences in immune responses to the MMR vaccine. While the study did find a higher antibody response in Black participants compared to White participants, the lead researcher, Dr. Richard Kennedy (no relation to Robert F. Kennedy Jr.), clarified that this does not justify altering vaccine schedules based on race. He emphasized that numerous factors can influence immune response, and suggesting race-based vaccine schedules would be a gross misrepresentation of the data.
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Robert F. Kennedy Jr. testifying during his Senate confirmation hearing.
This contentious exchange highlighted the significance of Senator Alsobrooks’ role in her first month in office. Elected alongside Delaware Representative Lisa Blunt Rochester, they made history as the first two Black women to serve concurrently in the Senate. Their inauguration on January 3rd marked a milestone, as they became the fourth and fifth Black women ever to hold Senate seats.
Kennedy also faced scrutiny regarding his anti-vaccine non-profit, Children’s Health Defense, and its sale of merchandise promoting anti-vaccine sentiments. While Kennedy attempted to distance himself from the organization, his past involvement and longstanding opposition to vaccines remained a central point of contention. The hearings also followed a letter from his cousin, Caroline Kennedy, denouncing him as a “predator” and unfit for the position. His siblings have also previously criticized his alignment with former President Trump, viewing it as a betrayal of their family’s values.
