McMahon considers Kennedy for school vaccination oversight

Education Secretary Linda McMahon has not dismissed the possibility of Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. taking over responsibilities related to school vaccinations. During an interview, she was asked whether Kennedy, known for his vaccine skepticism, could oversee state vaccination mandates for children in public schools. McMahon said that the question fell outside the current discussion but did not clearly reject the idea. When pressed, she acknowledged that Kennedy's involvement is not impossible. She emphasized that vaccine mandates for school children are managed at the state level, rather than by the federal government. McMahon also praised Kennedy's commitment to helping vulnerable children, citing his personal experience with a neurological condition called spasmodic dysphonia. This condition causes painful spasms in his vocal cords. She believes his understanding of children with disabilities would drive his passion to support them. However, Kennedy has been criticized for spreading misinformation about vaccines. His claims, including the widely discredited link between vaccines and autism, have faced significant backlash from the scientific community. He has also made controversial statements about public health issues, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and water fluoridation.