Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

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FDA Tamps Down on Fluoride Supplements for Kids

Agency says they're no longer being recommended for children under 3, despite dentists' warnings

(Newser) - The FDA on Friday moved to limit fluoride supplement use to strengthen children's teeth, the latest action by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and his deputies against a dental care mainstay. The FDA said the products are no longer recommended for children younger than 3, as well as...

Surgeon General Nominee Goes Into Labor Just Before Hearing

Casey Means will still face tough questions, but at a later date

(Newser) - A Senate committee has postponed the confirmation hearing for Dr. Casey Means, President Trump's nominee for surgeon general , after she went into labor. Means, expecting her first child, was set to appear virtually before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee on Thursday morning, two days after her...

Former HHS Adviser Says There's a 'Coup' Against RFK Jr.

Steven Hatfill alleges Kennedy's chief of staff, Matt Buckham, is behind it

(Newser) - Steven Hatfill, a senior adviser at the Department of Health and Human Services, was fired over the weekend, according to both Hatfill and a senior agency official. Hatfill, known for his public support of Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s move to end funding for mRNA vaccine research,...

Texas Sues Johnson & Johnson Over Tylenol Autism Warning

State claims drugmaker hid risks of acetaminophen during pregnancy

(Newser) - In an unprecedented move, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has filed a lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson, alleging the company failed to inform consumers about potential risks of taking Tylenol during pregnancy. This is the first time a state government has brought such a case, following recent federal guidance that...

Anti-Vaccine Bills on the Rise Across US

The AP counts 350 nationwide, plus other bills that focus on milk safety and fluoride

(Newser) - An AP investigation finds that more than 420 bills challenging longstanding public health protections—vaccines, milk safety, and fluoride—have been introduced in statehouses across the US this year. The investigation found that the wave of legislation has cropped up in most states, pushed by people with close ties to...

Cheryl Hines: RFK Jr. Wanted to Fake Separation

Actor says she turned down the offer during his presidential campaign

(Newser) - Cheryl Hines says her husband, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., floated the idea of faking a separation while running for president. In a Fox News interview, Hines explained that Kennedy suggested the ruse to shield her from public backlash during his 2024 presidential campaign, when she...

New Vaccine Fight Is Over Aluminum
New Vaccine Fight
Is About Aluminum
Oct 16, 2025 7:34 AM CDT

New Vaccine Fight Is About Aluminum

FDA review could put many childhood vaccinations at risk

(Newser) - A new fight over childhood vaccines is brewing, this time over aluminum. Specifically, FDA officials are considering the removal of aluminum salts from shots, a move that could put about half of childhood vaccinations at risk, reports the New York Times . President Trump signaled the fight during his July news...

At Cabinet Meeting, RFK Jr. Links Circumcision to Autism

There was a notable absence at Trump's 8th Cabinet meeting

(Newser) - President Trump opened a meeting with his Cabinet at the White House on Thursday by speaking about the ceasefire deal and his plans to travel to the Middle East. Trump said that he will be going to Egypt for a signing ceremony and that he has been invited to speak...

Poll Shows Deep Partisan Divide on RFK Jr., Health Opinions

Nearly 60% of Americans disapprove of health secretary, though that's mainly Dems, independents

(Newser) - A new poll from KFF spotlights just how sharply health opinions are split along party lines in the United States. Asked about President Trump's recent public attack on acetaminophen—the main ingredient in Tylenol, which he linked to autism—Democrats and Republicans responded in near mirror-image opposition. While...

CDC Makes Big Change to COVID Shot Guidance

Department says patients must consult with health professionals

(Newser) - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has adopted recommendations by a new group of vaccine advisers, and stopped recommending COVID-19 shots for anyone—leaving the choice up to patients. The government health agency on Monday announced it has adopted recommendations made last month by advisers picked by US Health...

Generic Mifepristone Wins OK, Upsetting Trump Allies

Pence calls for firing Kennedy, though agency says it has little leeway on generics

(Newser) - The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new generic version of mifepristone, which was first cleared for use ending pregnancies through 10 weeks in 2000. The FDA notified Evita Solutions on Tuesday, sparking an outcry from abortion rights opponents though the agency noted that it "has very limited...

WHO Begs to Differ With Trump's Tylenol Stance

Agency says there's no scientific proof that acetaminophen during pregnancy causes autism

(Newser) - Add the World Health Organization to those pushing back against warnings from the Trump administration about the use of acetaminophen during pregnancy. President Trump and health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. linked use of the drug—the active ingredient in Tylenol—to autism, but the WHO says "no...

RFK Jr. Orders New FDA Review of Key Abortion Pill

Move could affect access to most common abortion method nationwide

(Newser) - Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced this week that the FDA will launch a fresh review of mifepristone, the primary drug used for medication abortions in the US. The move comes in response to requests from 22 Republican attorneys general, who've raised concerns about...

Trump's 'Tough It Out' Advice to Pregnant Women Questioned

Ignoring a high fever in the first trimester puts the fetus at risk, say critics

(Newser) - During his news conference on Monday, President Trump warned pregnant women not to take Tylenol —and he repeated the warning 10 times by the count of the Washington Post . "Don't take Tylenol, don't take it," Trump said. "Fight like hell not to take it....

Trump Slammed for 'Dangerous' Tylenol Advice

President suggests there is a link to autism, without offering new evidence

(Newser) - "Taking Tylenol is not good," President Trump told reporters at the White House on Monday. "I'll say it. It's not good." The president—flanked by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Dr. Mehmet Oz, the surgeon general—said that acetaminophen, the active ingredient...

Trump Teases 'Amazing' News About Autism

Administration will reportedly link the disorder to the use of Tylenol during pregnancy

(Newser) - During his speech at the Charlie Kirk memorial on Sunday, President Trump teased what he described as a historic announcement to come on Monday about autism. "I think you're going to find it to be amazing," said the president, per USA Today . "I think we found...

Kennedy's Panel Adds Dose of Confusion on COVID Shots

Advisers drop recommendation for annual vaccination but recommend checking with doctor first

(Newser) - Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s new vaccine advisers on Friday muddied the picture on this fall's COVID-19 vaccinations. The CDC panel declined to recommend the vaccines for anyone, leaving the decision on whether to have the shot up to Americans, the AP reports. At the same...

CDC Panel Plans to Limit MMRV Vaccine for Young Kids

Panel cites seizure risk for kids under 4 in guidance

(Newser) - A CDC advisory panel voted Thursday to alter its stance on the MMRV vaccine, which combines the measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine with a varicella, or chickenpox, vaccine. The group suggested that children under 4 should not routinely receive the combo shot due to a slightly increased risk of...

Ousted CDC Director Shares Her Take on What Transpired

Susan Monarez says RFK Jr. wanted 'blanket approval' of vaccine changes

(Newser) - Former CDC Director Susan Monarez appeared before the Senate on Wednesday, detailing the circumstances of her unexpected firing less than a month after her Senate confirmation. Monarez testified that she was removed for refusing to follow directives from Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., specifically his...

HHS Plans No-Bid Contract on Tying Autism to Vaccines

Kennedy announced definitive research effort though scientists have never found evidence of a connection

(Newser) - Federal health officials intend to award a contract to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute to investigate whether there is a link between vaccinations and autism, according to a government procurement notice. The Troy, New York, engineering school was selected for the no-bid contract because of its "unique ability" to link data...

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