Bulwark Takes RFK Jr’s War on Vaccines Just Got Worse
May 1, 2025
Jonathan Cohn, author of the Breakdown newsletter, delves into RFK Jr.'s alarming anti-vax rhetoric from his powerful health role. They dissect the controversial push for placebo testing in vaccines and the implications for public trust. Cohn highlights misinformation surrounding the MMR vaccine and its alleged links to fetal tissue, revealing the dangers of such claims. The discussion also touches on a $500 million initiative aimed at universal vaccines, examining the ethical dilemmas and the impact of political moves on public health messaging.
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Placebo Testing Controversy
- RFK Jr. pushes for placebo testing of all new vaccines despite ethical and practical issues.
- Placebo testing in vaccines like MMR can expose children to dangerous diseases like measles.
MMR Vaccine Misconceptions
- Claims that MMR vaccine contains "aborted fetus debris" are misleading and inaccurate.
- Vaccine cell lines trace back to original fetal cells, but no fetal tissue is present in vaccines.
RFK Jr.'s Impact on COVID Vaccines
- RFK Jr. halted COVID vaccine approvals and research, including Novavax and a COVID pill.
- His actions broadly undermine vaccine programs and the science behind them.