Bernie Sanders Corners RFK Jr.: Did COVID Vaccine Save Lives?
The senator also called out Kennedy’s “very troubling response” to a “simple question” about vaccines and autism.
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Robert F. Kennedy Jr. floundered when Bernie Sanders pressed the prospective health secretary on whether the COVID vaccine saved lives. All he could say was, “I don’t know.”
Although Kennedy has aimed to convince senators that he is not anti-vaccine during his two days of confirmation hearings, he still couldn’t give Sanders a straight answer.
After pointing out that Donald Trump, who tapped Kennedy for the Cabinet role, had praised the COVID vaccine as a “miracle,” Sanders remarked on Kennedy’s legal effort to block the vaccine in May 2021.
Scientists estimate that the COVID vaccine saved 3 million lives and prevented 18 million hospitalizations.
— Bernie Sanders (@SenSanders) January 30, 2025
President Trump called it "one of the greatest miracles of the ages."
RFK Jr. asked the FDA to revoke the emergency use of vaccines. pic.twitter.com/aVOofA0ElH
Then he asked a blunt question: “Was the COVID vaccine successful in saving millions of lives?”
“I don’t know,” Kennedy said after a brief pause. “We don’t have a good surveillance system unfortunately. I don’t think anybody can say that. If you show me the science...”
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The answer did little to alleviate the Vermont senator’s concern.
“Bobby, if you’re applying for the job, clearly you should know this,” Sanders fired back. “The scientific community has established that the COVID vaccine saved millions of lives. You are casting doubt. That is really problematic.”
It wasn’t the only part of Kennedy’s controversial history with vaccines that Sanders went after him for. The 83-year-old lawmaker also brought up the false link between vaccines and autism, which Kennedy has previously pushed but scientists have denied.
BERNIE SANDERS: Vaccines do not cause autism. Do you agree?
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) January 30, 2025
RFK Jr: As I said, I'm not going into HHS with any preordained--
SANDERS: I asked you a simple question, Bobby
RFK Jr: If you show me those studies ...
SANDERS: That is a very troubling response pic.twitter.com/8g83Ev6647
“Vaccines do not cause autism,” Sanders said, citing scientific studies. “Do you agree with that?”
Kennedy, who has often asserted his openness to science and data during the hearings, responded, “I’m not going to go into HHS with any preordained—”
Sanders interjected, saying, “It’s a simple question, Bobby,” and then, “That is a very troubling response.”
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