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A Major Shift in Vaccine Policy Under Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the newly appointed US Health Secretary, has announced a significant overhaul of the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP). Known for his long-standing skepticism about vaccines and his background as a lawyer representing individuals injured by vaccines, Kennedy has taken on the challenge of reforming a program that he claims is failing those it was designed to protect.
The VICP, established in the 1980s, is a no-fault federal program meant to compensate individuals who suffer injuries from vaccines. Since its inception, the program has paid out over $5.4 billion to approximately 12,000 claimants. As of June 1, 2025, the program has processed 12,019 compensable cases from a total of 25,026 petitions filed since its creation.
Kennedy criticized the current structure of the VICP, stating that it often dismisses valid claims or delays them for years. He accused the “Vaccine Court” of being corrupt and inefficient, highlighting the nine voting members who make decisions on compensation cases. According to him, these decision-makers are biased and prioritize the financial health of the HHS Trust Fund over their duty to support victims.
One of the key issues Kennedy pointed out is the conflict of interest inherent in the VICP’s design. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), which he now leads, acts as the defendant in cases involving vaccine injuries. This setup, he argues, puts claimants at a disadvantage against the immense power of the U.S. government.
Kennedy also highlighted the challenges faced by expert witnesses testifying on behalf of injured children. He claimed that some witnesses face intimidation and threats to their professional standing if they support vaccine-injured individuals. Additionally, he noted that the government pays its own medical experts promptly while delaying payments for petitioners’ experts, sometimes for years.
Despite his criticisms, Kennedy did not provide specific details on how he plans to reform the VICP. However, he expressed his commitment to working with Attorney General Pam Bondi to restore the program to its original congressional intent of quickly and fairly compensating those injured by vaccines.
This move is part of a broader effort by Kennedy to reshape US regulations around vaccines, food, and medicine. Earlier this year, he replaced all 17 members of the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices with seven new appointees, some of whom have ties to vaccine skepticism. One of these new members had previously earned money as an expert witness in litigation against Merck’s Gardasil vaccine.
Kennedy is also reportedly planning to replace members of another advisory panel that determines what preventive health measures insurers must cover. An HHS spokesperson stated that no decision has been made yet regarding the 16-member US Preventive Services Task Force.
Despite his efforts to challenge the status quo, Kennedy has faced criticism for sowing doubt about the safety and efficacy of vaccines. His stance contradicts extensive scientific research showing that vaccines are safe and effective. Recent studies, including a major 20-year investigation involving over 1 million children, found no link between aluminum in vaccines and conditions like autism or ADHD.
Danish researchers examined 50 potential health effects in children vaccinated with aluminum salts, including immune system disorders, allergies, and neurodevelopmental conditions. They found no increased risk of autism, ADHD, asthma, or autoimmune disorders. In fact, vaccinated children showed slightly lower rates of neurodevelopmental conditions compared to unvaccinated children.
Aluminum adjuvants are commonly used in several childhood vaccines, including those protecting against diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis, hepatitis A and B, Haemophilus influenzae type b, and pneumococcal disease. These adjuvants are considered safe and play a crucial role in enhancing the immune response to vaccines.
