We write to you on behalf of the scientific community to raise serious concerns about Robert F.
Kennedy, Jr., nominee for the Secretary of Health and Human Services. We represent the Coalition for Life
Sciences, an alliance of scientists and scientific organizations focused since 1990 on (1) promoting policies and
practices that foster innovative, impactful research and training in the life sciences, and (2) ensuring that public
policy is informed by sound scientific evidence.
The leader of the Department of Health and Human Services needs to make evidence-based decisions
supported by validated scientific data. Adherence to such data-driven policymaking has made America the gold
standard for biomedical discovery and public health policy.
Mr. Kennedy has repeatedly demonstrated that he does not use scientific evidence in developing his
positions and, in fact, often denies substantial bodies of scientific research to sow doubt over health interventions
long established to be safe and effective. Some of these positions have already cost lives by influencing individual
behavior. Providing him with a platform to embed them in US policy would have sweeping consequences, putting
potentially millions of American lives at risk.
The United States is the global leader in biomedical research, which has improved health on many fronts and
generated a biotechnology industry that contributes nearly $100 billion each year1 to our economic and national security.
One of the great successes of biomedical research is management of infectious diseases. In the 20th century, widespread
vaccination removed infectious disease from the leading cause of death in the United States for nearly all age groups. This
safe prevention strategy has saved millions of lives and trillion of dollars in the U.S. economy. Changing vaccine policy or
even voicing counter-factual statements about vaccine safety will lower vaccination rates and lead to the widespread
reemergence of deadly diseases like measles, typhoid, and tuberculosis and hasten the next global pandemic.
We recommend you ask the following questions at Mr. Kennedy’s confirmation hearing.
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. The Finance Committee’s responsibilities include oversight of Medicare.
• Do you support flu vaccination for older adults?
o Estimates of economic costs are >$85 billion each year, of which two-thirds are attributable to
adults over 65 and ~90% of annual deaths from influenza are in people older than 65.
2
• Do you support RSV vaccination for older adults?
o A recent study found that prior to availability of the RSV vaccine, there were 4 million RSV cases
in adults over 60 years of age and an economic burden of $6.6 billion each year.3
o Can you provide rough comparisons of RSV vs. influenza virus in terms of symptomatic disease,
hospitalizations, and deaths among adults over 65?
If the emerging avian influenza virus mutates to become transmissible between people, it is likely to hit
seniors the hardest. What will you do as HHS Secretary to prepare for such a threat?
• Will you support the development of a vaccine?
• Will you promote the use of effective public health interventions?
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6. • lHow will you, as HHS Secretary, monitor infectious disease trends across our borders in the absence of
WHO data and information?
You have been quoted as saying that the NIH should stop research on infectious diseases for 8 years7 to focus on
chronic, non-communicable diseases.
• What are the potential costs to stopping research into infectious pathogens when they continue to evolve, when
so many health costs are due to infections, when new causes of infectious disease are appearing and expanding
their scope?
• Without research, how will you defend Americans from the increasing threat from the novel avian influenza
virus? What are the potential costs if that virus mutates to become transmissible between people?
• Can you provide a summary of NIH’s investment in infectious disease research versus chronic disease
(cardiovascular, metabolic, neuropsychiatric and other disorders)?
7. You are widely identified with promoting the debunked claim that vaccines cause autism.
• What would it take to convince you of the published conclusions of 5 randomized controlled trials, 1 controlled
clinical trial, 27 cohort studies, 17 case-control studies, 5 time-series trials, 1 case cross-over trial, 2 ecological
studies, and 6 self-controlled case series studies involving 14.7 million –children –– all8 of which have
demonstrated that there is no link between vaccines and autism?
• What are the likely consequences and costs of reducing the number of people who receive the following
vaccines: (MMR for measles, mumps, and rubella; polio; human papilloma virus; hepatitis B virus; etc.)
• Many have noted that your efforts to reduce the deployment of measles vaccine in Samoa 6 years ago led to
over 80 childhood deaths from measles. How did that experience affect your views on vaccination?
• You have been critical of the vaccine approval process. Who should be in charge of the design of clinical trialsfor vaccines during your tenure at DHHS? Who should judge whether they can be used?
To all constituents, journalists, and representatives interested in today’s hearings for RFK Jr, please read, consider, and ask the following questions of him.
On behalf of the Coalition for the Life Sciences cc: @needhibhalla.bsky.social
www.coalitionforlifesciences.org
