Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Withdraws Planned Endorsement of Denmark's Vaccine Schedule
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the independent presidential candidate known for his controversial positions on vaccines, had scheduled an appearance to publicly support Denmark's recently updated childhood immunization program. The event, which was to be held alongside senior officials from his campaign and a senior regulator from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, was billed as a discussion of child health and vaccine safety.
According to sources familiar with the planning, Kennedy intended to highlight Denmark's approach of aligning vaccine timelines with emerging scientific data and to compare it with the United States' schedule. The Danish program, which has been praised by European health agencies for its transparency and adaptability, includes phased introductions of newer vaccines and a focus on informed consent for parents.
However, in the days leading up to the announcement, Kennedy's team received counsel from legal advisers and campaign strategists warning that the endorsement could attract heightened scrutiny from both domestic regulators and political opponents. Officials indicated that the appearance might be interpreted as an implicit endorsement of the FDA's own policies, potentially complicating ongoing investigations into the candidate's past statements on vaccine safety. As a result, the planned event was quietly canceled, and Kennedy issued a brief statement saying he would continue to advocate for “evidence‑based approaches to child health” without aligning with a specific foreign schedule.
The development underscores the delicate balance political figures must strike when addressing public health issues that intersect with international policy. Analysts note that while the cancellation avoids immediate controversy, it may also limit Kennedy's ability to shape the national conversation on vaccine schedules. Observers expect the candidate to refocus his messaging on broader health‑care reforms as the campaign enters its final phase.
