(The Epoch Times)—Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. defended his recent statements about vaccines during a congressional hearing on May 14.
“I’m going to tell the truth about everything we know and we don’t know about vaccines,” Kennedy told Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) while testifying before the Senate Health Committee. “I am not going to just tell people that everything is safe and effective if I know there are issues. I need to respect people’s intelligence.”
Several lawmakers expressed concern about Kennedy’s recent comments, which include saying that the protection conferred by the measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine wanes over time.
“The result is to undermine faith in the vaccine,” Murphy said.
“It’s kind of like saying, ‘listen, I think you should swim in that lake, but you know, the lake is probably toxic, and there’s probably a ton of snakes and alligators in that lake, but I think you should swim in it.’ Nobody is going to swim that lake if that’s what you say. I want you to acknowledge that when you say you support the measles vaccine, and then you go out and repeatedly undermine the vaccine, with information that is contested by public health experts, that is not supporting the vaccine.”
Kennedy responded, “If I advise you to swim in a lake that I knew there to be alligators in, wouldn’t you want me to tell you there were alligators in it?”
He added: “The reason people have lost faith in this program is that they’ve been lied to by public officials for year after year after year.”
Several outbreaks of measles have appeared in the United States this year, including an outbreak in Texas that has spread to hundreds of people. Texas officials say most patients are unvaccinated or have unknown vaccination status.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says two doses of the MMR vaccine are 97 percent effective against measles.
Studies, including a paper from French researchers, have found that the protection has a slow waning over time.
“We’re always going to have measles, as the vaccine wanes very quickly,” Kennedy said recently at a town hall.
He has also noted that the MMR vaccine has side effects and that many vaccines on the childhood vaccination schedule have not been tested in randomized, controlled trials against placebos.
That “means we don’t understand the risk profile for those products and that’s something that I intend to remedy,” Kennedy told lawmakers on Wednesday, referring to the Department of Health and Human Services’ announcement that all new vaccines must be tested against placebos before being licensed.
Kennedy testified to the Senate panel and the House of Representatives Appropriations Committee. It was the first time he appeared before Congress since being confirmed in February.
Rep. Mark Pocan (D-Wis.) asked Kennedy, who has said his children received the typical vaccines in their childhood, if he had a child today, would he get that child vaccinated with the MMR shot?
“Probably,” Kennedy said. “I would say my opinions about vaccines are irrelevant.
“I don’t think people should be taking medical advice from me. I think if I answer that question directly, that it will seem that I’m giving advice to other people, and I don’t want to be doing that,” Kennedy said, adding that health officials were going to try to outline the pros and cons, or the risks and benefits, of each vaccine.
Pocan tried to get Kennedy to answer the same question for the chickenpox and polio vaccines. The health secretary demurred.
Republicans largely steered clear of vaccines during the hearings. A number of them praised developments under Kennedy, including the banning of some artificial dyes and the focus on cutting costs at the health agency.
“You’ve done more to shine the light on things that average Americans can do to make themselves healthier than almost any secretary that I can recall,” Sen. Jon Husted (R-Ohio) said, “so thank you for that service.”
Bypass Big Tech Censors
For Emergency Preparedness, Don’t Forget the Meds
Being prepared is more than just a good idea—it’s essential. We stock up on non-perishable food, bottled water, flashlights, and first-aid supplies, but one critical aspect often gets overlooked: access to vital medications. What happens if pharmacies close, prescriptions can’t be filled, or you’re cut off from medical care during an emergency?
That’s where Jase Medical steps in, offering a reliable solution to ensure you and your family have the medications you need when it matters most.
Jase Medical specializes in emergency preparedness kits designed to provide peace of mind through physician-reviewed, prescription medications delivered right to your door. Their flagship product, the Jase Case, is a comprehensive emergency antibiotic and medication kit priced at $289.95.
This kit includes 10 essential medications—five life-saving antibiotics and five symptom relief meds—that can treat over 50 common infections and illnesses, from urinary tract infections and pneumonia to skin infections and traveler’s diarrhea. With 28 add-on options available, you can customize the kit to fit your specific needs, including a KidCase for children ages 2-11.
The process is straightforward and hassle-free. Simply visit Patriot.tv/meds, complete an online evaluation, and have your order reviewed by a board-certified physician. Once approved, the medications are shipped discreetly from a licensed pharmacy to your U.S. address (with plans for Canada shipping coming soon). Each kit comes with detailed Med Cards outlining symptoms, dosing, and usage, making it easy to administer even in high-stress situations. These medications are shelf-stable and designed for long-term storage, empowering you to handle medical emergencies without relying on external help.
For those on the move, Jase Medical also offers the Jase Go kit for $129.95, a compact travel med kit covering over 30 common conditions encountered during adventures or trips. And for ongoing needs, Jase Daily provides an extended supply of your prescribed chronic medications to safeguard against disruptions in supply chains or extreme weather events.
Don’t just take our word for it—thousands of satisfied customers have given Jase Medical a 4.9-star rating, praising its role in true preparedness. As radio host Glenn Beck warns, “The supply lines for antibiotics already are stressed to the max. Please have some antibiotics on hand… You can do it through Jase.”
Whether you’re prepping for a hurricane, a power outage, or simply the uncertainties of daily life, Jase Medical ensures you’re not caught off guard. Head to patriot.tv/meds today to customize and order your emergency kit—because when it comes to your health and safety, it’s better to be prepared than sorry.