HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. accuses the American Academy of Pediatrics of a “pay-to-play scheme” after the group urges COVID-19 shots for young kids despite CDC’s change in guidance.

Washington

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has publicly criticized the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) for its COVID-19 vaccine guidance, alleging that the organization is influenced by pharmaceutical companies. This accusation comes amid a broader disagreement between Kennedy, who serves as Secretary of Health and Human Services, and established public health groups regarding vaccine recommendations for children.

The situation has led to confusion among parents as different organizations offer varying guidance on COVID-19 vaccinations. In response to Kennedy's statements, staffers from the Department of Health and Human Services have urged him to stop spreading what they describe as inaccurate health information. The White House is expected to release a new health report soon, which officials say will be based on rigorous scientific standards.

RFK Jr. alleges big pharma behind AAP’s COVID vaccine guidance

an eye on that one as well. Now let's go to another topic. I wanted to get your take on the news regarding the American Academy of Pediatrics. They made a different vaccine recommendation than that of the CDC and HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. You know we had RFK Jr. in our studio here just last week and he talked about his skepticism about vaccines for COVID-19, for the flu, the mRNA vaccine. So what's happening with this today? Yeah we can see that interview you did Holly on our website right now Scripps News. Look the reality is is that Secretary Kennedy and public health institutions whether you're I did an interview yesterday with the executive director of the American Public Health Association. I mean the reality is is that there is tension between these long-standing medical groups like the American Academy of Pediatrics like various other groups and the Secretary of Health and Human Services. It's not necessarily a surprise. Secretary Kennedy for years criticized the status quo when it comes to the health care industry into the food industry and now we have this schism that's formed in which if you're a parent I got a two-year-old at home right I mean you're gonna have to start figuring out are we going to be following the CDC guidelines when it comes to COVID vaccines for our kids, the American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines for other kids. There's gonna be lots of guidelines out there that you'll be wanting to talk to your pediatrician about. So all of this is getting a bit more confusing for parents out there. Now some on the right will say choice is important. Having choice here matters but public health officials that I've spoken with the last 24 hours also stressed that science matters here. What does the science truly say about what should be given to the kids? It's important to note all of this is unfolding just really days after that horrific shooting really close to where you are Holly and at the CDC killed a police officer in Georgia. Georgia's still mourning that loss. Within the last 24 hours and CNN has reported this HHS staffers are have written a letter imploring RFK to quote stop spreading inaccurate health information in the wake of a CDC shooting. So HHS staffers have written to the Secretary of Health and Human Services about some of his positions on this matter in the past. As far as what the secretary has said regarding the American Academy of Pediatrics these countering these these recommendations that are now out there for vaccines. Secretary Kennedy has blasted the group saying that they are in a pay for play scheme with big pharma that it's all about making money with big pharma which is a familiar point that we've heard from Secretary Kennedy over the years. So the feud the battle the tension is is is there it's been there and it's only going to grow. As we've been reporting today what is expected in the near future Holly another make America healthy again report is expected to drop within days. The White House has has confirmed that and they've told us that this is going to be on built on quote gold standard science. But already the public health community is bracing for this some say it may be going too far with recommendations on what. What maybe in the works some say doesn't go far enough expect everything from pesticides to processed foods. Even looking at whether there needs to be a crackdown on TV advertising. From the food industry be when it comes to what's being marketed to children so. This controversy that Secretary Kennedy finds himself in. It's only going to exacerbate I suspect in the coming weeks and months. And I think he said something key in it in the in in what you said. Talk to your doctor talk to your child's doctor I think that's the key to everything at this point if you're uncertain so. Thank you for that scripts news deputy political director Joe St. George for us thank you as always on this busy Wednesday thanks Jeff.

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