Kennedy Faces Backlash From Anti-Vaccine Supporters Over Policy Reversals

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is facing growing anger from his most zealous anti-vaccine supporters, who believe he has not gone far enough in dismantling the country's vaccine apparatus. The backlash intensified after federal regulators reversed course on reviewing a new mRNA flu shot from Moderna.

Federal regulators refused last month to review the new mRNA flu shot from Moderna, appearing to be the latest consequence of Kennedy's campaign to give skeptics control of the bureaucracy overseeing inoculations. However, within weeks, the review of the mRNA shot was back on.

The reversal strengthened a belief that has gained traction lately among Kennedy's most zealous anti-vaccine followers. In their view, the health secretary has erred not by taking a sledgehammer to the country's vaccine apparatus, but rather by leaving too much of the edifice standing.

On Kennedy's watch, millions of children in recent months still received Covid shots. Kennedy has previously falsely described the Covid vaccine as "the deadliest vaccine ever made." The manufacturers remain protected from liability claims, despite Kennedy blaming that system three years ago for enabling "mass murder."

Influential vaccine skeptics are starting to depart even from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the engine of anti-vaccine policy changes this past year.

Some of Kennedy's supporters have responded by accusing pro-vaccine factions of staging a "coup" at the health department, and are vowing to retaliate by deserting the Republican Party in this year's midterm elections.

As the midterm elections approach, the health secretary is focusing on "real food." Kennedy made a lot of promises on his way to becoming health secretary. He pledged to Make America Healthy Again, of course, and to restore trust in embattled health agencies. And he said he wouldn't "take away anybody's vaccines."