I will publicly apologize if science proves me wrong, says RFK Jr.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. told senators on Thursday that he will apologize over comments he’s made on vaccines if the science proves him wrong. “I just want to follow the science, and if the science says I am wrong about what I've said in the past, as I said, I will publicly apologize,” he told members of the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions during his second confirmation hearing for the post of secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Democratic senators again grilled him over his statements that question the effectiveness of vaccines. He has linked the measles vaccine and other vaccines to autism — despite the fact that several studies have shown this is not true — and is listed as the founder of the nonprofit Children’s Health Defense, known for spreading vaccine misinformation. Republicans also voiced their concerns over his influence on vaccine skepticism. Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, chair of the committee and a medical doctor himself, said he’s “struggling” with Kennedy’s nomination, and is concerned about how he might influence vaccine policy in the United States if confirmed. He said he has constituents who partly credit Kennedy for their decision not to vaccinate their children. While he understands that mothers want assurances that the vaccine their children are getting are safe and effective, Cassidy said he’s used evidence to reassure, while Kennedy used “selected evidence to cast doubt.” “Does a … 71-year-old man who spent decades criticizing vaccines and who's financially invested in finding fault with vaccines, can he change his attitudes and approach now that he'll have the most important position influencing vaccine policy in the United States?” the senator asked, saying that’s something he’ll have to figure out. Cassidy also asked Kennedy if he will assure mothers “unequivocally and without qualification that the measles and hepatitis B vaccines do not cause autism” if confirmed, but Kennedy struggled to respond, saying only that he'll do so if he’s shown the data. Multiple studies have not found any association between autism and the measles vaccine, and it was suggested during the hearing that such studies were presented to Kennedy previously. Senators said what he’s questioning is already settled science, and the study linking the measles vaccine to autism was a tiny study that was proven wrong over time and was already retracted. Democratic Sen. Christopher Murphy of Connecticut said it’s important to question science, but that Kennedy isn’t doing that. “You’re not questioning science. You’ve made up your mind,” he said. Sen. Angela Alsobrooks of Maryland, meanwhile, asked him about his plans to “clean house” at the National Institutes of Health, and asked him if anyone in the administration has developed a list of career scientists or federal staff to terminate. “Not that I know of,” Kennedy replied. The Senate Finance Committee, the first to question Kennedy on Wednesday, will decide whether to advance his confirmation for a full vote to the Senate, according to Reuters. He will need at least 51 Senate votes to be confirmed.