RFK Jr. promises not to 'take away' vaccines but provide more scientific research

Former Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on Wednesday vowed that he would not eliminate vaccines, but would provide more scientific research so people can make more informed choices if selected to serve in President-elect Donald Trump's administration.

Kennedy, who has been touted as an anti-vaccine activist, has been teased as a public health official under Trump's second administration since he endorsed the former president earlier this year. The exact role that Kennedy would play has not been clear. 

The former Democrat rejected allegations that he is "anti-vaccine" and said he wanted to be more transparent on health and vaccine issues so Americans can make more informed decisions. 

"I’m not going to take away anybody’s vaccines," Kennedy told NBC News. "If vaccines are working for somebody, I’m not going to take them away. People ought to have choice, and that choice ought to be informed by the best information."

"I’m going to make sure scientific safety studies and efficacy are out there, and people can make individual assessments about whether that product is going to be good for them," he said.

Kennedy is expected to meet with senior Trump aides on Wednesday to discuss his role in the administration, and teased an interest in Department of Health and Human Services Secretary. However, he said he could also serve as a "White House health czar."

He also noted that he was asked by Trump to help weed out corruption in federal health agencies, which would return them to "the gold standard science, the empirically based evidence." He also aims to help end the "chronic disease epidemic." 

Trump, who heralded Kennedy's support during his victory speech early Wednesday morning, told the outlet recently that he had not decided whether he would ban any vaccines, but would speak to Kennedy and other advisers about the topic.

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.