Robert F. Kennedy Jr. nominated to lead US health department amid history of anti-vaccine advocacy

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has been nominated by President-elect Donald Trump to lead the Department of Health and Human Services. Kennedy is known for promoting anti-vaccine views through his nonprofit, Children’s Health Defense, and has spread misinformation about vaccines for years. Kennedy has claimed that vaccines cause autism and has made controversial statements linking COVID-19 to ethnic targeting. He has also encouraged resistance to vaccination guidelines and has been identified as a major source of vaccine misinformation on social media. His organization has faced scrutiny for its funding and claims, including a lawsuit against news organizations for addressing misinformation. Kennedy has distanced himself from his group while running for president but remains involved in its legal actions.