Robert F. Kennedy Jr., an anti-vaccine advocate, is under consideration as the next secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has shared nearly 200 personal stories and testimonials from pediatricians across the country about the devastating impact of vaccine-preventable diseases. These accounts will be presented to two Senate committees later this week: the Senate Committee on Finance and the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP).
APPLEton, North Carolina, pediatrician Dr. Shari Heintz recalled how in the 1990s a baby she treated died from pneumococcal meningitis—a disease that can be life-threatening but is now rare due to the availability of vaccines. Meanwhile, Portland, Maine, pediatrician Dr. Catherine meaney described her experience with an unvaccinated child who faced severe complications from Streptococcus pneumoniae.
AAP President Susan Kressly emphasized that these stories highlight how vaccines allow children to grow up healthy and thriving. She hopes the testimonies will help illustrate the critical importance of vaccinations for children’s long-term health and well-being as senators consider this nominee.
Source: https://arstechnica.com/health/2025/01/dead-babies-critically-ill-kids-pediatricians-make-moving-plea-for-vaccines