Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. delivered a keynote address on September 17, 2026, at a Children’s Health Defense (CHD) conference in Washington, D.C., reaffirming his alignment with the anti-vaccine organization he founded. The event marked a shift from Kennedy’s prior distancing from CHD during his Senate confirmation process, where he sought to present more mainstream views on vaccines.
Kennedy told attendees, “You have a strong and steadfast friend at the White House”, referencing President Donald Trump’s directives to strengthen research, transparency, and parental choice regarding childhood vaccines. He also acknowledged bureaucratic constraints, stating that sweeping changes were initially planned but delayed due to procedural requirements.
During his speech, Kennedy reiterated long-debunked claims about vaccines, including alleged links to autism and chronic diseases. He asserted that “we have no idea what the risk profile is for these products”, citing what he described as a lack of robust safety monitoring by the government. Kennedy criticized the regulatory process, stating that “we’ve had a dearth of science for 30 years” and calling it “regulatory malpractice.” He referenced the hepatitis B vaccine’s regulatory insert, noting that it was tested in only 147 children over five days, though he did not provide context on post-approval studies that confirmed its safety.
The CHD conference featured other prominent anti-vaccine advocates, including Mark Gorton, founder of the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) Institute, who referred to vaccines as “a public health nightmare.” Gorton cited studies, including an unpublished paper claiming unvaccinated children were less likely to develop chronic conditions, and a retracted CHD-affiliated study, as evidence against vaccination.
Kennedy resigned from CHD’s board in 2023 ahead of his Senate confirmation, where he pledged to support vaccine safety. However, his participation in the conference and rhetoric aligned with CHD’s long-standing opposition to recommended vaccine schedules. The CDC, which Kennedy oversees as HHS secretary, continues to endorse vaccination based on extensive safety and efficacy data.
Kennedy also addressed the pace of regulatory change, stating that “a bunch of things have to happen before something else happens or you get sued”, emphasizing the procedural hurdles within federal agencies. He suggested that immediate reforms were planned but constrained by legal and bureaucratic requirements.
The event underscored tensions between Kennedy’s public role as a federal health official and his continued engagement with anti-vaccine advocacy groups, raising questions about his agency’s priorities and the consistency of federal vaccine policy.