'You're Unaware Of What Your Own Department's Website States': Robin Kelly Mercilessly Grills RFK Jr

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During a House Energy Committee hearing last week, Rep. Robin Kelly (D-IL) asked Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. about vaccine safety.

Transcript

00:00Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and thank you, Secretary Kennedy, for appearing before our committee.

00:04I'm pleased to see a focus on food as medicine and the well-being of all Americans in the

00:09FY26 budget, an issue of mutual interest and concern.

00:14I'm deeply troubled, however, by so many things happening at HHS under your leadership,

00:19especially your ill-informed decision to reverse existing recommendations for pregnant women

00:24and healthy children to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

00:27The chair of the American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Infectious Diseases described

00:34your decision as really concerning and taking away choice.

00:38The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the March of Dimes have also opposed your

00:44decision.

00:45Chairman, I have two items to insert into the record.

00:48ACOG's statement on HHS recommendations regarding the COVID-19 vaccine during pregnancy and also

00:57RFK Jr. says COVID shots no longer recommended the kids and pregnant women.

01:04Without objection.

01:06Due to my limited time, I ask that you please respond to my questions with a yes or no.

01:11Mr. Secretary, does HHS COVID-19 vaccine webpage reflect the department's view on COVID-19 vaccines?

01:19We, first of all, what you said was wrong.

01:25We're not depriving anybody of choice.

01:27If a pregnant woman wants the COVID-19 vaccine, she can get it.

01:32We're no longer recommending it because there was no science supporting that recommendation.

01:37There's study after study that shows adverse events.

01:41There's one study, 27 adverse events, earning pregnancy from that campaign.

01:45I'm going to interrupt you because I need to reclaim my time.

01:47Another study shows an increase in miscarriage.

01:49There's no safety data for it.

01:51So we're not going to recommend it.

01:52Not true.

01:53We have a pediatrician that is on this committee.

01:56Not true.

01:58I'll go back to does HHS COVID-19 vaccine webpage reflect the department's viewpoint on COVID-19 vaccines?

02:06Please, yes or no?

02:07I didn't understand the question.

02:09You're asking if...

02:10If the HHS's COVID-19 vaccine webpage reflect the department's viewpoint on COVID-19 vaccines?

02:21I imagine it does.

02:23I haven't seen the website.

02:25You haven't seen HHS's COVID-19 vaccine?

02:28No, I haven't read the entire website.

02:30Well, it's kind of troubling that you're unaware of what your own department's website states

02:33on the safety and efficacy of the vaccination.

02:36Let me read it directly to you.

02:39COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective, and COVID-19 vaccines are available to everyone

02:45six months and older.

02:47Getting vaccinated is the best way to help protect people from COVID-19.

02:53Get vaccinated if you haven't.

02:55Chairman, I have the paper copy of the website to insert into the record.

03:00COVID vaccine 19.

03:02Excuse me.

03:05Without objection?

03:07Okay.

03:08And again, yes or no?

03:09As I said...

03:10Yes or no, within the past 45 days, has the CDC recommended COVID vaccinations for people

03:17at high risk?

03:18Yes or no?

03:20For people at high risk?

03:21I don't have a lot of time.

03:22Yes.

03:22So, in fact, on May 12, 2025, CDC stated in its interim clinical considerations for the

03:30use of COVID-19 vaccines in the United States, and I quote, COVID-19 vaccination is recommended

03:36for everyone aged six months and older in the U.S.

03:39CDC goes on to state that vaccination is especially important for a number of certain groups of

03:45people, including pregnant women, in order to protect themselves and their infants.

03:51Also, I'm inserting into the record the following copy of the website...

03:54Congressman, we don't recommend COVID vaccines for pregnant women or for children.

03:59Excuse me?

04:00We do not recommend it for pregnant women or children.

04:03I think I just read, especially important for a number of certain groups of people, including

04:09pregnant women, in order to protect themselves and their infants.

04:13I'm inserting into the record the following copy of the website, May 12, 2025, COVID-19 vaccines

04:21and vaccinations, Mr. Chairman.

04:23Without objection.

04:24It appears CDC was not consulted, given that it took days for them to update their immunization

04:29schedule to reflect your new policy.

04:31I'd like to insert into the record a Washington Post story reiterating this, CDC blindsided

04:37as RFK Jr. changes COVID-19 vaccine recommendations.

04:41Without objection.

04:43Okay.

04:43Once again, yes or no.

04:44Did you consult CDC before changing vaccine policy related to COVID-19 vaccine as it relates

04:50to pregnancy?

04:52We absolutely consult CDC on every policy regarding vaccination.

04:56Okay.

04:57It's different than what...

04:59I yield back.

05:00I yield back.

05:01I yield back.

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