[트럼프 재집권] ‘Vaccine conspiracy theorist’ Kennedy appears foreshadowed… Tension between authorities and industry

▶ Expected to exert influence on health policy… “Vaccine skeptics may be appointed to the FDA, etc.”

Robert Kennedy Jr. speaking. [로이터]

With former President Donald Trump‘s re-election, the possibility that ‘vaccine conspiracy theorist’ Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will come to the forefront of the public health field increases, and voices of concern are growing.

On the 8th, foreign media such as the Washington Post (WP) and the Financial Times (FT) highlighted the reactions of health officials and pharmaceutical industry officials, saying that Kennedy Jr.’s influence is expected to increase in the second Trump administration.

Kennedy Jr., the nephew of former President John F. Kennedy, has been lobbying politicians against vaccines even before the COVID-19 pandemic, arguing that the use of vaccines causes autism and other conditions.

He ran as an independent in this year’s presidential election, but withdrew from the candidacy in August and declared his support for President-elect Trump.

With President-elect Trump winning the presidential election, it is certain that Kennedy Jr. will exert great influence in the field of public health according to the ‘background agreement’ at the time of his resignation. Options such as joining the government or taking on a role in overseeing health and food policies at the White House are being discussed.

WP quoted multiple former Trump administration health officials as saying, “It will be difficult for Kennedy Jr. to completely overhaul the vaccine approval process, but he can exert pressure in other ways,” adding, “He could slow down the production of existing vaccines or increase the number of new vaccines.” “It could hinder production approval,” he predicted.

The Kennedy Jr.-led agency could delay approval by delaying the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) inspection of vaccine production facilities or requesting additional data or investigation into vaccine safety.

He also mentioned having vaccine skeptics participate in advisory committees of the FDA or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

FT also predicted, “We may appoint COVID-19 vaccine skeptics to high-ranking federal positions or initiate a full review of regulations.”

At the same time, it was reported that medical professionals who gained popularity by opposing various restrictions applied during the COVID-19 pandemic are considered candidates to head health organizations such as the FDA and CDC.

However, vaccine-related authorities and industry officials are concerned about the fallout from Kennedy Jr.’s vaccine conspiracy theory, saying it has no scientific basis.

Paul Offit, director of the Vaccine Education Center at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, told WP, ​​”Kennedy Jr. is holding on to false beliefs that have no scientific basis due to his religious beliefs,” and added, “It is inconceivable for such a person to present an opinion to an organization that operates based on science.” “It is a contradiction,” he pointed out.

An official from a vaccine advocacy medical group in Texas warned, “We may see an increase in the number of children suffering from vaccine-preventable diseases and, as a result, an increase in the number of children dying.”

“We need people who are based on science and evidence, not rejecting it,” John Maraganore, former CEO of Boston-based life sciences company Alnilum, told the FT.

In a recent interview with public radio station NPR, Kennedy Jr. said he was “not going to take the vaccine away from anyone,” but added, “The science around vaccine safety is hugely flawed. We need scientific research to make sure people are well informed about getting vaccinated.” “We will make sure it happens,” he said.