Bernie Sanders demands RFK Jr. resign over vaccine positions

Sen. Bernie Sanders has called for the resignation of Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. over concerns about his stance on vaccines.

Newsmax reported that Sanders is urging Kennedy to step down due to his promotion of vaccine skepticism, which he argues threatens public safety.

In an opinion piece published in The New York Times, Sanders expressed strong disapproval of Kennedy’s influence over key health policies.

The article, which appeared on a Saturday, highlighted several actions by Kennedy that Sanders believes undermine trust in vaccines and public health initiatives.

CDC Leadership Shake-Up and Funding Cuts

One major point of contention for Sanders is a recent shake-up at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Reports indicate that Kennedy forced out the newly appointed CDC Director, Susan Monarez, after less than a month in office, leading to the resignation of four senior officials. One official noted that there was pressure to align CDC studies with Kennedy’s anti-vaccine views.

Sanders has called out Kennedy for allegedly scaling back vaccine availability and canceling crucial research funding.

According to Sanders, the administration has axed nearly $500 million earmarked for vaccine research and has slashed state grants designed to prepare communities for infectious disease outbreaks.

These actions, according to Sanders, are alarming and detrimental to public health. He has drawn parallels between Kennedy’s moves and the sweeping health agenda of the prior administration, which included significant Medicaid and Affordable Care Act reductions.

Sanders has been vocal in contrasting Kennedy’s views with the broader medical community’s stance on vaccines. Leading health organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Medical Association, have long regarded vaccines as significant public health successes.

The World Health Organization estimates that vaccines have saved 154 million lives globally and reduced infant mortality rates by 40% over the past five decades. Sanders contends that Kennedy’s skepticism undermines these achievements, putting American lives at risk.

Kennedy has come under fire for making claims linking vaccines to autism and suggesting that COVID-19 vaccines were among the deadliest ever produced. Sanders countered these assertions, emphasizing that the medical community at large does not support these views.

Broad Implications for Health Policy

Sanders has criticized Kennedy’s policy maneuvers for potentially increasing bureaucracy and costs for patients.

He argues that scaling back access to vaccines will result in more medical visits, higher out-of-pocket expenses, and ultimately, fewer people getting vaccinated.

Furthermore, Sanders has raised concerns that the policy direction under Kennedy could result in up to 15 million Americans losing their health insurance. This could also lead to rising premiums for millions more.

In drawing a comparison to the slogan of a past administration, Sanders remarked, “This is not Making America Healthy Again,” as he challenged the current path of health policy under Kennedy.

This criticism culminates in Sanders’ call for Kennedy’s immediate resignation. He articulated the sentiment that Kennedy’s presence in this critical role is jeopardizing current and future American health outcomes.

Sanders’ op-ed ends with a plea for change, not just in personnel but in overall health policy. He insists that Kennedy’s continued leadership poses unnecessary risks to public health and safety, stressing the need for a different approach more aligned with scientific and medical consensus.