Mitch McConnell Hails Push against Polio Vaccination With Report from RFK Jr

Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) issued an urgent call-out Friday afternoon after new reports highlighted Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and other opponents of vaccination’s links to an attorney seeking to overturn approval of lifesaving polio vaccine for children. “The polio vaccine has saved millions of lives and held out hope of eliminating an awful disease,” McConnell, who herself had polio as a child, stated in his statement. He cautioned that any efforts at undermining public trust in proven remedies “are neither inadvisable nor informed; instead they present real threats”. McConnell made clear to Kennedy on Monday night, in response to news that Trump has selected her as head of Health and Human Services Department next year. As reported by The New York Times Friday night, Kennedy has been consulting Aaron Siri as she chooses the officials she seeks in his administration; Siri filed multiple legal petitions over time against vaccination programs he advised her on selecting. That included filing a 2022 petition asking the Food and Drug Administration to retract approval of an FDA approved standard polio vaccine for babies and children citing further research as evidence of its safety. If confirmed as secretary-designate, Kennedy would oversee both agencies as well as various others related to public health policy and legislation. Robert F. Kennedy III is an environmental lawyer and son of former U.S. Attorney General and Senator Robert F. Kennedy; however, over time he has gained notoriety as an active vaccine skeptic who often spreads wild conspiracy theories against vaccination programs. Trump’s selection of Kennedy to lead the top health agency has caused outrage among public health experts and 77 Nobel laureates who called on senators last week to reject him as nominee for this job. Some Republican senators have voiced reservations over Kennedy’s views; none has voiced opposition publicly to his confirmation process. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) told reporters Thursday: “I believe vaccines should be given safely. My real concerns and what changes he would like made, yet I do not want our vaccine programs lost,” Rounds noted. Democracy Is At StakeDon’t let this be the end of free press journalism. America’s future hangs in the balance as other newsrooms bow down to political pressure; HuffPost stands firmly against such efforts and would welcome your help in keeping our news free for all! Would you join HuffPost today in upholding freedom of the press journalism? No one could do what we do without you! Even if you can’t afford to contribute financially, support HuffPost by creating a free account and reading while signed in – even if this has already happened! Your help could make all the difference for HuffPost; thank you again. At HuffPost, our mission to deliver reliable news at no cost is incredibly essential in this time of need, and without your support it would not be possible. No matter if it is once or multiple donations a year – your support keeps our journalism free for all! Even if you’ve supported HuffPost before – trust us when we say we could use some help again from time to time! At HuffPost, our mission of providing fair news at no charge to everyone is of critical importance in these times, and without your contributions it would not be possible. Whether giving once more or contributing regularly – either way we appreciate all that you’re doing to support HuffPost journalism as free for all! Support HuffPost Have already contributed? Thank you so much. Log in now to hide these messages. Similarly, McGonnell shared his experiences as a boy struggling with polio as well as their parents’ “pain and fear at seeing their child battle this life-altering diagnosis of polio.” At age two, his normal life without paralysis was only possible thanks to modern medicine and his mother’s love. But for millions who followed in his footsteps later, what truly saved them from paralysis was the power of vaccination,” he stated on Friday. “For decades, I have taken great pride in working alongside dedicated advocates – from Rotary International to the Gates Foundation – and using my platform in public life to champion cures for future generations,” stated Senator Scott Brown. He promised not to hesitate confronting disinformation that threatens lifesaving medical progress: he won’t hesitate today either!