Washington, D.C. – Today, the U.S. Senate confirmed Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS)—a decision that threatens decades of progress in vaccine policy and public health. Despite overwhelming opposition from medical experts, scientists, and public health advocates, several Senators ignored both science and their constituents, elevating a longtime anti-vaccine activist to the highest public health position in the country.

SAFE Communities Coalition, a national, bipartisan organization committed to defending strong vaccine policies, combating misinformation, and protecting public health, fought tirelessly to prevent this outcome. Our national network of pro-vaccine advocates sent over 21,000 emails to lawmakers in Washington urging them to reject Kennedy’s nomination. Despite this massive public outcry, RFK Jr. now holds the power to weaken vaccine programs, undermine public health protections, and spread misinformation from within the very agency responsible for protecting Americans’ health.

“RFK Jr. has spent decades attacking vaccines and eroding trust in science. His confirmation is a serious blow to public health, but we are ready to fight back,” said SAFE’s Executive Director, Northe Saunders. “We will not stand by while he dismantles vaccine programs and puts American families at risk. As the leading organization defending science-based vaccine policy, SAFE and our Families for Vaccines chapters will continue to protect families, counter misinformation, and ensure that vaccines remain a cornerstone of public health in the United States.” 

State-Level Vaccine Protections Matter More Than Ever

With Kennedy leading HHS, we expect immediate attacks on federal vaccine programs, funding cuts, and policy rollbacks that could weaken immunization requirements nationwide. This makes state-level vaccine laws the last line of defense against dangerous public health decisions at the federal level.

SAFE Communities Coalition and our 11 state-based Families for Vaccines chapters are actively tracking, supporting, and defending vaccine policies in state legislatures across the country, ensuring continued access to life-saving immunizations and pushing back against misinformation-driven efforts to weaken vaccine laws. 

“We are currently tracking more than 750 vaccine-related bills.” said SAFE’s Director of Advocacy, Jennifer Herricks, Ph.D. “Of these, 150 would strengthen vaccine laws, and 500 are a threat to public health. We need more Americans to step up now and in the future to make sure our lawmakers know that our health is a top priority.” 

What to Expect—and How SAFE is Fighting Back

Kennedy has made it clear that his goal is to undermine vaccine confidence and dismantle public health protections. In the next 100 days, SAFE expects:

• Efforts to weaken federal vaccine recommendations and funding

• A surge in misinformation from government platforms

• State-level attacks on immunization requirements and public health programs

SAFE and our partners have been preparing for this outcome. Over the next 100 days, we will:

• Launch rapid-response advocacy campaigns to challenge harmful vaccine policies

• Host Days of Advocacy in our Families for Vaccines States, including Arizona, Montana, Colorado, Oregon, Massachusetts, Louisiana, West Virginia, and New Hampshire. 

• Mobilize state-level pro-vaccine coalitions to defend immunization laws

• Counteract misinformation by providing science-based facts to the public, lawmakers, and the media

• Empower advocates with the tools needed to defend strong vaccine policies

Why This Matters

This confirmation isn’t just about one person—it’s about the future of public health in America. The decisions made at HHS affect childhood immunization programs, vaccine safety initiatives, and public trust in science. 

Allowing misinformation and conspiracy theories to dictate health policy puts lives at risk. SAFE Communities is prepared to lead the fight for strong, science-based vaccine policies. We will continue working to protect families, push back against misinformation, and uphold vaccines as a critical pillar of public health in the United States.

Media Contact:

Caitlin Gilmet
SAFE Communities Coalition
caitlin@safecommunitiescoalition.org
207-712-6930
safecommunitiescoalition.org