While Kennedy insists he is not anti-vaccine and claims he has never advised the public to avoid vaccination, he has repeatedly expressed opposition to vaccines. On a podcast, he stated, "There's no vaccine that is safe and effective" and has urged people to resist CDC guidelines on childhood vaccination schedules.

President-elect Donald Trump is expected to nominate anti-vaccine activist Robert F. Kennedy Jr to serve as secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, according to two people familiar with the discussions who spoke on condition of anonymity.