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'You're Unaware Of What Your Own Department's Website States': Robin Kelly Mercilessly Grills RFK Jr
Forbes Breaking News
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2 days ago
During a House Energy Committee hearing last week, Rep. Robin Kelly (D-IL) asked Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. about vaccine safety.
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00:00
Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and thank you, Secretary Kennedy, for appearing before our committee.
00:04
I'm pleased to see a focus on food as medicine and the well-being of all Americans in the
00:09
FY26 budget, an issue of mutual interest and concern.
00:14
I'm deeply troubled, however, by so many things happening at HHS under your leadership,
00:19
especially your ill-informed decision to reverse existing recommendations for pregnant women
00:24
and healthy children to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
00:27
The chair of the American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Infectious Diseases described
00:34
your decision as really concerning and taking away choice.
00:38
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the March of Dimes have also opposed your
00:44
decision.
00:45
Chairman, I have two items to insert into the record.
00:48
ACOG's statement on HHS recommendations regarding the COVID-19 vaccine during pregnancy and also
00:57
RFK Jr. says COVID shots no longer recommended the kids and pregnant women.
01:04
Without objection.
01:06
Due to my limited time, I ask that you please respond to my questions with a yes or no.
01:11
Mr. Secretary, does HHS COVID-19 vaccine webpage reflect the department's view on COVID-19 vaccines?
01:19
We, first of all, what you said was wrong.
01:25
We're not depriving anybody of choice.
01:27
If a pregnant woman wants the COVID-19 vaccine, she can get it.
01:32
We're no longer recommending it because there was no science supporting that recommendation.
01:37
There's study after study that shows adverse events.
01:41
There's one study, 27 adverse events, earning pregnancy from that campaign.
01:45
I'm going to interrupt you because I need to reclaim my time.
01:47
Another study shows an increase in miscarriage.
01:49
There's no safety data for it.
01:51
So we're not going to recommend it.
01:52
Not true.
01:53
We have a pediatrician that is on this committee.
01:56
Not true.
01:58
I'll go back to does HHS COVID-19 vaccine webpage reflect the department's viewpoint on COVID-19 vaccines?
02:06
Please, yes or no?
02:07
I didn't understand the question.
02:09
You're asking if...
02:10
If the HHS's COVID-19 vaccine webpage reflect the department's viewpoint on COVID-19 vaccines?
02:21
I imagine it does.
02:23
I haven't seen the website.
02:25
You haven't seen HHS's COVID-19 vaccine?
02:28
No, I haven't read the entire website.
02:30
Well, it's kind of troubling that you're unaware of what your own department's website states
02:33
on the safety and efficacy of the vaccination.
02:36
Let me read it directly to you.
02:39
COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective, and COVID-19 vaccines are available to everyone
02:45
six months and older.
02:47
Getting vaccinated is the best way to help protect people from COVID-19.
02:53
Get vaccinated if you haven't.
02:55
Chairman, I have the paper copy of the website to insert into the record.
03:00
COVID vaccine 19.
03:02
Excuse me.
03:05
Without objection?
03:07
Okay.
03:08
And again, yes or no?
03:09
As I said...
03:10
Yes or no, within the past 45 days, has the CDC recommended COVID vaccinations for people
03:17
at high risk?
03:18
Yes or no?
03:20
For people at high risk?
03:21
I don't have a lot of time.
03:22
Yes.
03:22
So, in fact, on May 12, 2025, CDC stated in its interim clinical considerations for the
03:30
use of COVID-19 vaccines in the United States, and I quote, COVID-19 vaccination is recommended
03:36
for everyone aged six months and older in the U.S.
03:39
CDC goes on to state that vaccination is especially important for a number of certain groups of
03:45
people, including pregnant women, in order to protect themselves and their infants.
03:51
Also, I'm inserting into the record the following copy of the website...
03:54
Congressman, we don't recommend COVID vaccines for pregnant women or for children.
03:59
Excuse me?
04:00
We do not recommend it for pregnant women or children.
04:03
I think I just read, especially important for a number of certain groups of people, including
04:09
pregnant women, in order to protect themselves and their infants.
04:13
I'm inserting into the record the following copy of the website, May 12, 2025, COVID-19 vaccines
04:21
and vaccinations, Mr. Chairman.
04:23
Without objection.
04:24
It appears CDC was not consulted, given that it took days for them to update their immunization
04:29
schedule to reflect your new policy.
04:31
I'd like to insert into the record a Washington Post story reiterating this, CDC blindsided
04:37
as RFK Jr. changes COVID-19 vaccine recommendations.
04:41
Without objection.
04:43
Okay.
04:43
Once again, yes or no.
04:44
Did you consult CDC before changing vaccine policy related to COVID-19 vaccine as it relates
04:50
to pregnancy?
04:52
We absolutely consult CDC on every policy regarding vaccination.
04:56
Okay.
04:57
It's different than what...
04:59
I yield back.
05:00
I yield back.
05:01
I yield back.
Recommended
1:44
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