Trump nominates Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as health secretary amid rising vaccine mandate skepticism

President-elect Donald Trump has nominated Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as secretary of Health and Human Services. Kennedy is known for his skepticism about vaccines, which aligns with a growing number of Americans who question vaccine mandates. A recent Gallup poll shows that only 51 percent of Americans support government-required vaccinations for children, down from 62 percent in 2019. The decline is particularly notable among Republicans, with only 26 percent now viewing vaccination as extremely important. Kennedy has stated he does not intend to remove vaccines but advocates for informed choice. He has expressed doubts about the safety and effectiveness of vaccines, including the polio vaccine, which he claims may have caused more harm than good.