Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s feud with American doctors escalated hours after the American Academy of Pediatrics issued guidance on COVID-19 vaccines contradicting the health secretary’s recommendations.
Kennedy, a longtime vaccine skeptic, accused the pediatricians of engaging in a “pay-to-play scheme” to promote commercial interests of pharmaceutical companies Pfizer and Moderna. He cited donations from these companies to the pediatricians’ Friends of Children Fund as evidence of a conflict of interest that led to the group’s decision to recommend COVID vaccines for young children.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) dropped its recommendation for all children over 6 months old to receive COVID shots in May, citing “common sense” and “good science.” However, the AAP retained its guidance for young children to get vaccinated due to their risk of severe cases. The pediatricians argued that “children younger than 2 years old are especially vulnerable to severe COVID-19 and should be prioritized for vaccination.”
The dispute highlights Kennedy’s deep distrust in the medical establishment, which he has been vocal about throughout his career. He recently overhauled federal vaccine policy by ousting members of an expert panel advising the CDC on vaccines and rescinding research funding.
As children return to school and the annual fall vaccination campaign begins, the split between Kennedy and the pediatricians has significant implications for public health policy.
Source: https://www.politico.com/news/2025/08/19/rfk-jr-attacks-pediatricians-covid-vaccine-recommendations-00515609