Who is Robert F Kennedy Jr, Vaccine Skeptic Picked by Trump to Head US Health Department?

Washington: President-elect Donald Trump has appointed Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to le Health and Human Services (HHS) Department, positioning a well-known vaccine skeptic at top of nation’s expansive public health system.

Kennedy, a prominent member of a storied Democratic family, gained recognition as an environmental attorney, famously taking on major corporations like DuPont and Monsanto. 

However, over past two deces, he has become increasingly known for promoting vaccine-related claims that clash with scientific consensus. 

If confirmed Kennedy would he a major federal department responsible for critical health policies, including drug, vaccine, and food safety, medical research, and programs like Medicare and Medicaid. Before election, Trump vowed to give Kennedy significant authority over health policy.

Kennedy, son of late Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy and nephew of President John F. Kennedy, comes from one of most influential political families in American history. He initially challenged President Joe Biden for Democratic nomination before launching an independent campaign. Eventually, Kennedy struck a deal with Republican Party, endorsing Trump and securing a promise to le health portfolio in Trump’s upcoming ministration.

Kennedy’s alignment with Trump has earned him substantial support from Republican base, a level of enthusiasm he never enjoyed from his former Democratic peers. 

His strong stance against vaccines has distanced him from much of his family, but he and Trump have developed a close bond, campaigning toger extensively in closing days of election. Trump has committed to appointing Kennedy as a key figure in his efforts to "Make America Healthy Again."

Despite insisting that he is not anti-vaccine, Kennedy’s public statements and leership of anti-vaccine organization Children’s Health Defense tell a different story. 

He has often questioned vaccine safety, once stating on a podcast that “re’s no vaccine that is safe and effective” and encouraging resistance to CDC vaccination guidelines for children.

Kennedy has also vowed to overhaul HHS, scrutinizing staff at agencies like Food and Drug ministration, National Institutes of Health, and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

 He has pledged to dress what he describes as a “revolving door” between government agencies and pharmaceutical industry. According to his campaign’s communications manager, Del Bigtree, Kennedy intends to root out conflicts of interest that he believes undermine public trust in health policies.

With inputs from AP