Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a well-known anti-vax activist, has been confirmed as the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) following a Senate confirmation vote. This move has sparked widespread concern among health experts and advocates, given Kennedy's history of spreading misinformation about vaccines.

As the head of HHS, Kennedy will oversee critical agencies such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These agencies play a vital role in protecting public health, and Kennedy's leadership could have far-reaching implications for the country's health policies.

Kennedy has repeatedly made false claims about vaccines, including the notion that parents should not vaccinate their babies. A CNN fact check has chronicled these claims, which have been widely debunked by the scientific community. Despite this, Kennedy has maintained that he is not anti-vaccine, a claim that has been met with skepticism by many.

The Senate voted 52-48 in favor of Kennedy's nomination, with Senator Mitch McConnell being the only Republican to oppose the nomination. McConnell, a polio survivor, released a statement expressing his concerns about Kennedy's views on vaccines, stating that he would not condone the "re-litigation of proven cures" and that millions of Americans credit their survival and quality of life to scientific miracles.

Kennedy's nomination is not without controversy. He launched his own bid for the 2024 presidential election in 2023, initially running as a Democrat before switching to run as an independent. He eventually selected Nicole Shanahan, the ex-wife of Google co-founder Sergey Brin, as his running mate. Shanahan has also expressed concerns about vaccine injuries, although she claims not to be an anti-vaxxer.

Kennedy ultimately ended his campaign and endorsed President Donald Trump, who nominated him for the HHS position. The implications of Kennedy's leadership on the country's health policies remain to be seen, but many are worried about the potential consequences of having an anti-vax activist at the helm of HHS.

As the country continues to grapple with ongoing health crises, including the COVID-19 pandemic, Kennedy's confirmation raises important questions about the future of public health in the United States. Will Kennedy's leadership prioritize evidence-based health policies, or will it give credence to misinformation and pseudoscience? Only time will tell.

In the meantime, health experts and advocates are urging citizens to remain vigilant and to continue promoting evidence-based health information. As Senator McConnell so eloquently put it, "In my lifetime, I've watched vaccines save millions of lives from devastating diseases across America and around the world." It is crucial that we continue to prioritize the safety and well-being of our citizens, and that we do not let misinformation and ideology guide our health policies.