Senator Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD) fiercely rebuked Robert F. Kennedy Jr. during a heated confirmation hearing, condemning his past statement that Black Americans should follow a different vaccine schedule than white people.
The tense exchange unfolded as lawmakers scrutinized Kennedy’s long history of vaccine misinformation.
Alsobrooks directly challenged Kennedy’s claim that “Black people should not receive the same vaccine schedule as whites” due to supposed differences in immune response.
“That Is So Dangerous”
“So what different vaccine schedule would you say I should have received?” Alsobrooks, who is Black, asked Kennedy. “With all due respect, that is so dangerous.”
Kennedy defended his remarks by citing a study from the Mayo Clinic, arguing that Black Americans exhibit stronger immune responses to certain vaccines.
However, the study’s authors have refuted Kennedy’s interpretation, stating that their research does not support altering vaccine schedules by race.
Experts Debunk Kennedy’s Claims
Dr. Richard Kennedy, a vaccine researcher at the Mayo Clinic (who is not related to Robert F. Kennedy Jr.), clarified that while immune responses may vary by race, sex, and other factors, there is no scientific basis for recommending different vaccine schedules.
“Twisting the data far beyond what they actually demonstrate,” Dr. Kennedy warned, could fuel vaccine hesitancy, particularly in Black communities where immunization rates are already lower.
Dr. Carlos del Rio, a professor at Emory University, also criticized Kennedy’s rhetoric, stating that his claims are “taking it to a very unsafe place.”
A History of Vaccine Misinformation
Kennedy has long promoted debunked theories about vaccine safety, including the false claim that vaccines cause autism. His past statements include references to a now-retracted study that falsely suggested Black children face a higher risk of autism if vaccinated on schedule.
In a 2021 appearance, Kennedy misrepresented Mayo Clinic research, claiming that the measles vaccine could “push [Black boys’] immune response over the cliff”, causing autoimmune disorders. However, Dr. Richard Kennedy made it clear:
“The data do not show that one racial group experiences increased harm or autoimmunity compared to any other.”
Calls for Accountability
Kennedy’s anti-vaccine advocacy extends beyond statements. A film he helped produce misrepresented Mayo Clinic research on the rubella vaccine, falsely suggesting Black Americans face increased vaccine risks.
Dr. Gregory Poland, a researcher involved in that study, dismissed Kennedy’s claims outright:
“Any assertion that African Americans are more vulnerable to vaccine side effects is simply not supported by science.”
As Kennedy faces mounting criticism for undermining public health, Senator Alsobrooks and other lawmakers continue to push back against misinformation that could endanger Black communities.
