Scott Gottlieb, Donald Trump’s former Food and Drug Administration (FDA) commissioner, cast doubts about the President-elect’s choice of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
Kennedy, known for his outspoken anti-vaccine stance, could pose serious risks to public health, Gottlieb warned.
“I think if RFK follows through on his intentions, and I believe he will, and I believe he can, it will cost lives in this country,”Gottlieb stated during an interview on CNBC’s “Squawk Box” on Friday.
He claimed that vaccination rates for measles, mumps, and rubella are likely to plummet. “If we lose another 5 percent [of vaccinations], which could happen in the next year or two, we will see large measles outbreaks,” he warned.
Gottlieb further mentioned that he doubted Trump wanted to see a resurgence of diseases like measles and polio—illnesses that have been nearly eradicated in the United States.
He pointed out that American doctors might not even be equipped to diagnose these diseases anymore, as they’ve been under control for decades.
He also warned of the ease with which Kennedy could easily make sweeping changes.
“RFK can go in there with a stroke of a pen, disband ACIP, reconstitute it with like-minded people, issue a whole new bunch of recommendations,” the former head of the FDA remarked.
However, Gottlieb also hinted that Kennedy’s nomination might face resistance, but said that they wouldn’t be able to stop him.
“I think some in Congress right now who are deeply skeptical think that they can manage this through things like appropriations riders,” he commented. “That’s not going to be successful.”
Beyond policy changes, Kennedy’s decisions could potentially destabilize programs like the Vaccines for Children (VFC) fund, which ensures millions of kids get access to free vaccinations.
Gottlieb didn’t mince words about the implications, stating, “For every 1,000 cases of measles that occur in children, there will be one death. And we are not good in this country at diagnosing and treating measles.”
He expressed his skepticism about Congress’s ability to counteract the impacts of Kennedy’s policies, emphasizing that even legislative measures might not suffice.
“And I don’t think there’s a thing Congress can do, and that is dependent upon Congress getting bills through on appropriations bills that would actually tie the hands of CDC and Kennedy,” Gottlieb noted.
He also questioned whether Trump fully grasped what Kennedy’s leadership could mean for public health.
“I don’t think that these policies, efforts reflect [Trump’s] views,” he stated. “I don’t think the president wants to see a resurgence of measles, wants to see a resurgence of whooping cough in his country. God forbid we have cases of polio in this country.”
“He does not want to see that,” Gottlieb noted. “I think he understood the importance of the child immunization schedule.”
He concluded his remarks by expressing doubt about whether Kennedy’s health policies were being scrutinized seriously enough.
“I’m not so sure that people really understand how Kennedy’s intentions are going to translate into policy and how serious he is,” Gottlieb said.
While critical of Kennedy, Gottlieb praised some of Trump’s other healthcare appointments, calling Mehmet Oz a potentially “transformative” choice to lead the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
He also expressed confidence in Martin Makary, Trump’s pick for the FDA, describing both as qualified and capable selections.
So interesting that this is his take, since many of the illegals that have been allowed into the country are NOT vaccinated. Any questions about that, take a look at the increase in the TB cases. Yes, a return to diseases that have been eradicated is a very real concern, but not from the places you would expect.
As a side note for those that haven’t read the disclosure / release to have children vaccinated, it indicates death as a possible side effect. Perhaps the American people need to push for safer vaccines and accountability by the manufacturer.