Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (RFK Jr.) is running as an independent candidate in the 2024 U.S. presidential election, garnering attention as a challenger to the existing political system. One of the most controversial aspects of his campaign is his stance on vaccines. While the media and political adversaries label him as an “anti-vaccine activist,” RFK Jr. himself clarifies, “I am not opposed to vaccines. What I take issue with is the massive pharmaceutical companies that manufacture and promote vaccines, and the corrupt structure behind them.”
So what is he really against?
"I'm not denying the science of vaccines."
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has a background as a lawyer dedicated to environmental issues, and he is known for his emphasis on scientific perspectives. He does not outright deny vaccines; in fact, he acknowledges the necessity of “safe and effective vaccines.” However, he believes there are significant issues with the current relationship between the pharmaceutical industry and regulatory agencies.
“Vaccines are meant to protect public health, and government regulatory agencies should prioritize the safety of the public above all else,” he argues. “However, under the current system, while pharmaceutical companies rake in enormous profits, there is a lack of proper scrutiny regarding the safety of vaccines.”
In particular, there are three key points that RFK Jr. criticizes.
1. The Collusion Between Pharmaceutical Companies and Regulatory Agencies
In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are responsible for approving and recommending vaccines. However, many employees at these agencies have deep ties to pharmaceutical companies. The “revolving door” issue, where individuals move between regulatory agencies and big pharma after retirement, raises concerns, making it difficult to argue that these agencies are making independent decisions.
2. Lack of Transparency in Clinical Trials
RFK Jr. raises concerns, stating, “The current vaccine approval process lacks sufficient testing on long-term effects and side effects.” He specifically criticizes the rapid approval of the COVID-19 vaccine, pointing out that it was recommended for widespread use in what resembled a large-scale human experiment.
3. Exemption from Legal Liability
In 1986, the United States established the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP), which handles most lawsuits related to vaccine side effects or health damage through a special compensation system rather than the usual civil court process. This program allows pharmaceutical companies to avoid the risk of lawsuits over vaccine side effects. RFK Jr. questions, “If vaccines are truly safe products, why is there a need to exempt them from legal liability?”
"Vaccines have become a business issue, not a scientific one."
RFK Jr.’s argument is that “vaccines are no longer developed purely for public health, but have become a business designed to maximize corporate profits.”
For example, the pharmaceutical companies that developed the COVID-19 vaccine received billions of dollars in government support while making enormous profits. Pfizer and Moderna reported sales in the tens of billions of dollars in 2021, with executives receiving substantial bonuses. Meanwhile, the data on the long-term safety of the vaccines remains insufficient, and when issues with side effects arise, there has been inadequate explanation provided.
“Providing accurate information about vaccine safety and effectiveness, and ensuring transparency, is the responsibility of both the government and the pharmaceutical industry. However, in the current situation, corporate profits are prioritized, while public health is pushed aside,” RFK Jr. argues.
"I am seeking the proper approach to vaccines."
RFK Jr.’s stance is not a simple “anti-vaccine” argument, but rather a call for “safe and trustworthy vaccines.”
He states, “We must thoroughly examine vaccine safety and establish a system for approval that operates with a transparent process free from conflicts of interest,” and adds, “What I am fighting is not science, but a corrupt system.”
Impact on the Election Campaign and Public Opinion
RFK Jr.’s stance has garnered strong support from certain voters, while simultaneously facing fierce criticism from the media and established political forces. Major media outlets have labeled him a “conspiracy theorist” and an “anti-vaccine activist,” attempting to undermine his credibility.
However, in recent years, an increasing number of people have begun to question vaccine policies. Among those who harbor distrust toward the government’s response, there are many who believe that “there is some truth to what he is saying.”
"For freedom and health" — RFK Jr.'s battle continues.
RFK Jr. emphasizes that “the public should have the freedom to decide what they put into their bodies,” maintaining his opposition to mandatory vaccination. However, he is not denying the right to choose vaccines altogether; rather, he advocates for “creating a safer and more trustworthy system.”
His fight may not just be about vaccines, but part of larger issues surrounding corporate-government collusion, scientific transparency, and individual freedoms.
With the 2024 presidential election approaching, how far will RFK Jr.’s voice be heard? And what impact will his claims have on future vaccine policy and the pharmaceutical industry? Attention is focused on how this will turn out.