Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Tucker Carlson Discuss Vaccines

Recently, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., currently serving as the U.S. Health Secretary, joined Tucker Carlson on his podcast for a wide-ranging conversation that centered heavily on vaccines.

The discussion tackled controversial topics, including the safety and efficacy of vaccines, accusations of data manipulation by health agencies, and broader implications for public health policy under Kennedy’s leadership.

Introduction to the Podcast Episode

The episode brought together two prominent figures known for their skepticism of mainstream narratives: Tucker Carlson, a conservative commentator, and Robert F. Kennedy Jr., an environmental lawyer turned Health Secretary with a long history of vaccine skepticism.

Their conversation focused on vaccines, with Kennedy articulating concerns about their safety, efficacy, and the integrity of the data supporting them. Topics ranged from specific claims about the Pfizer mRNA vaccines to broader allegations of systemic corruption within health agencies like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The discussion also touched on Kennedy’s policy actions since taking office and their potential consequences for public health.

RFK Jr.’s Claims About Vaccine Safety and Efficacy

Key Assertions from the Podcast

Kennedy made several striking claims about vaccines during the episode:

-Lack of Safety and Efficacy: He asserted that “there’s no safety or efficacy in many vaccines,” specifically calling out the Pfizer mRNA injections used against COVID-19.

-VAERS Data: He cited the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS), claiming it shows injuries in approximately 2.7% of all vaccines administered. He noted that VAERS is voluntary and time-consuming for doctors to report to, implying underreporting of adverse events.

-mRNA Technology Concerns: Kennedy expressed dissatisfaction with the safety of mRNA technology, announcing plans to conduct new studies to investigate its risks.

-COVID Vaccine Impact: When Carlson asked whether the COVID vaccine “killed more than it saved,” Kennedy responded that he couldn’t say definitively because the studies were “substandard” and not designed to answer such questions.

Context and Counterpoints

Kennedy’s claims have sparked significant debate. While he positions himself as a skeptic seeking better science, his assertions often clash with established medical consensus:

-mRNA Vaccines: The Pfizer and Moderna mRNA vaccines underwent rigorous clinical trials involving tens of thousands of participants, demonstrating high efficacy in preventing severe COVID-19 outcomes, allegedly. Post-authorization monitoring has identified rare side effects (e.g., myocarditis in young males), but benefits are widely regarded as outweighing risks by agencies like the FDA and WHO.

-VAERS Limitations: VAERS is a passive surveillance system where anyone can report adverse events, but reports are unverified and do not prove causation. Kennedy’s 2.7% injury rate lacks context—experts note that most reported events are minor (e.g., soreness) and serious incidents are exceedingly rare.

-Scientific Criticism: An NPR article highlighted a document circulated by Kennedy’s Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to justify changes in COVID vaccine policy. It relied on unpublished or disputed studies and was labeled “willful medical disinformation” by a health expert, particularly regarding vaccine safety for children and pregnant women. Similarly, PBS News has debunked Kennedy’s contradictory stance, noting his anti-vaccine rhetoric despite public claims of neutrality.

Allegations of Hiding Data and Manipulation by Health Agencies

Kennedy’s Accusations

A central theme of the podcast was Kennedy’s accusation that health agencies, notably the CDC, have manipulated or concealed data to obscure vaccine risks:

-Hepatitis B and Autism: He claimed the CDC hid data linking hepatitis B vaccines to autism, a theory long debunked by extensive research.

-VAERS vs. a “Better System”: Kennedy alleged that the CDC rejected a superior injury tracking system showing “1 in 37 vaccines caused injury” in favor of the less reliable VAERS.

-Substandard Studies: He criticized existing vaccine studies as inadequate, suggesting a deliberate effort to avoid answering critical safety questions.

Evidence and Rebuttals

These allegations resonate with Kennedy’s base but are met with skepticism by experts:

-Autism Claims: Multiple large-scale studies, including a 2004 Institute of Medicine review, have found no credible link between vaccines (including hepatitis B) and autism. Kennedy’s reference to CDC manipulation echoes a discredited 2014 controversy involving a study he misinterprets.

-VAERS Critique: While VAERS has limitations, no evidence supports Kennedy’s claim of a suppressed alternative system. The CDC and FDA actively use VAERS alongside other databases (e.g., the Vaccine Safety Datalink) to monitor safety.

-Expert Concerns: The Washington Post reported that public health experts fear Kennedy’s leadership is fracturing the vaccine system, with health groups bypassing his policies to ensure access. NPR warned that his anti-vaccine stance risks unleashing preventable diseases, citing a lack of substantiation for his claims.

Other Details Covered in the Podcast

Perverse Incentives and Autism Safety

Kennedy touched on additional issues:

-Doctor Incentives: He suggested that perverse financial incentives encourage doctors to over-vaccinate, though he provided no specifics.

-Autism Safety Manipulation: Beyond hepatitis B, he broadly accused agencies of manipulating autism-related safety data, reinforcing his narrative of institutional cover-up.

Carlson’s Role

Carlson amplified Kennedy’s points with probing questions, such as the COVID vaccine’s net impact, framing the discussion to challenge mainstream medical narratives. His style complemented Kennedy’s, creating a platform that leaned heavily into skepticism without rigorous counterarguments.

Impact of RFK Jr.’s Policies on Vaccine Access and Public Health

Policy Changes

Since assuming the role of Health Secretary, Kennedy has reshaped vaccine policy:

-CDC Panel Purge: He replaced the CDC’s vaccine advisory panel with members committed to his vision of “evidence-based medicine,” demanding new safety and efficacy data before issuing recommendations.

-Study Cancellations: KFF Health News reported that Kennedy canceled studies on mRNA vaccines and vaccine hesitancy, while appointing a vaccine skeptic to lead an autism study—moves seen as prioritizing ideology over science.

Public Health Fallout

These actions have alarmed health advocates:

-Vaccine Access: The Washington Post detailed efforts by medical societies, pharmacists, and manufacturers to order vaccines directly, circumventing Kennedy’s influence. This reflects fears of reduced access and uptake.

-Risk to Public Health: Experts warn that undermining trust in vaccines could lower immunization rates, inviting outbreaks of diseases like measles or polio, which vaccines have nearly eradicated.

Broader Context: RFK Jr.’s Appointment and History

Background

Kennedy’s appointment by President Donald Trump marked a controversial shift. With a decades-long record of vaccine skepticism—highlighted by AP News for promoting the debunked autism-vaccine link—he has allied with far-right figures and conspiracy theorists. His confirmation hearing, as noted by The New Yorker, was a historic moment, placing a medical research skeptic at the helm of public health policy.

Influence and Resistance

His tenure has seen pushback:

-Resignations: Dr. Peter Marks, the FDA’s vaccine chief, resigned in 2025 over Kennedy’s misinformation, signaling internal dissent.

-Health Groups’ Response: Organizations are sidestepping HHS to protect vaccine programs, indicating a fractured federal response.

Counterpoints and Criticisms from Experts

Medical Consensus

Experts have robustly challenged Kennedy’s narrative:

-Vaccine Success: The Conversation featured a physician who, after reviewing hundreds of studies, affirmed vaccines’ role in slashing childhood illness and death—directly contradicting Kennedy’s claims.

-Thimerosal Debate: The Guardian noted that Kennedy’s new advisory panel plans to revisit thimerosal, a safe preservative removed from most vaccines, highlighting his focus on outdated controversies.

Health Organizations

NPR reported that health groups are countering Kennedy by emphasizing peer-reviewed science and maintaining vaccination infrastructure, reflecting a concerted effort to mitigate his influence.

The podcast episode with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Tucker Carlson offered a platform for Kennedy to air grievances about vaccine safety, efficacy, and alleged data cover-ups by health agencies. While his claims—spanning mRNA technology, VAERS statistics, and CDC misconduct—resonate with a skeptical audience, they are largely at odds with scientific evidence and have drawn sharp criticism from experts.

As Health Secretary, Kennedy’s policies amplify these views, raising concerns about vaccine access and public health stability. This discussion, while provocative, underscores a deepening divide between federal leadership and the medical community, with significant implications for the future of immunization in the United States.