A big discussion on the end of vaccinations in children is expected to be made by Donald Trump with the candidate for the Department of Health and Human Services, Robert Kennedy Jr. who has opposed the vaccines.
The issue has come up as Donald Trump is considering scrapping some vaccines. And that’s because he sees an increase in the rate autismwhich he believes may be related to childhood vaccination.
“We’re going to have a big conversation. The autism rate is at a level no one ever thought possible. If you look at the things that are happening, something is causing it,” the US president-elect said in an interview with Time magazine.
When asked if his administration will abolish some vaccines, Donald Trump explained that if he thinks it should be done, then he will do it.
“It could be done if I think they’re dangerous, if I think they’re not beneficial, but I don’t think it’s going to be very controversial in the end.”
In another question about whether he believes childhood autism is linked to vaccines, he said:
“No, I’ll listen to Bobby,” referring to Robert Kennedy Jr., explaining that he has a lot of respect for Kennedy and his positions on vaccinations.
It is recalled that Donald Trump has previously stated that vaccines may be linked to autism. When asked if he agreed with Kennedy on a link between vaccines and autism, the Republican emphasized:
“I want to see the numbers. At the end of the studies we are doing, and will do, we will learn what is good and what is not.”
Robert Kennedy Jr. is famous antivaccinator and his possible appointment to the post of health minister has caused reactions from the global community.
He has been criticized in the past for false medical claims, including that vaccines are linked to autism.
In addition, he reacted to the travel restrictions imposed to prevent the spread of Covid-19 and was accused of spreading misinformation about the virus. For years, he has used to cast doubt on the safety and effectiveness of vaccines.
Many of the claims that vaccines cause autism are based on a study published in the medical journal “The Lancet” in 1998, which was retracted by the journal when it was found that the study had used false data.
The health secretary-designate disputes the anti-vaccine label he’s been given, yet he had chaired Children’s Health Defense, a nonprofit focused on spreading anti-vaccine messages.
“He is not opposed to vaccinations, all vaccinations. He probably disagrees with some people,” Donald Trump commented on his candidate’s actions.