RFK Jr. Reaffirms Commitment to Anti-vaccine Movement Amid Outbreaks

WHO:

CNN - Robert F. Kennedy Jr., US Health and Human Services Secretary, gave a keynote address at the Children’s Health Defense conference.

CNN - Mark Gordon, president of the MAHA Institute, spoke at the conference.

CNN - Andrew Wakefield, a British gastroenterologist and filmmaker, also spoke at the conference.

WHAT:

CNN - Kennedy received a standing ovation at the anti-vaccine conference.

CNN - The US is experiencing the worst measles outbreak in decades, with over 3,200 cases reported this year.

CNN - There have been four measles-related deaths in Pennsylvania this year, including two infants and an 18-year-old.

NBC News Health - The United States is facing the highest number of measles cases in more than 30 years.

CNN - Kennedy criticized the federal government’s vaccine reporting system, calling it “very bad.”

WHERE:

CNN - The conference took place at the Children’s Health Defense event.

WHEN:

CNN - Kennedy's speech occurred on a Thursday, but no specific date was provided.

WHY:

CNN - Kennedy aims to fight for those who share his views on vaccine safety and effectiveness.

CNN - He emphasized the need to ask questions about vaccine safety, reflecting concerns from many American parents.

HOW:

CNN - Kennedy has led efforts to file lawsuits challenging state and federal vaccine policies and public health mandates.

CNN - He has created a working group to assess the safety, effectiveness, and timing of vaccines for children and adolescents.

(UPDATED September 17, 2026 23:01 UTC)

At the Children’s Health Defense conference, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the US Health and Human Services Secretary, received a standing ovation while criticizing the federal government’s vaccine reporting system, which he described as “very bad.” The US is currently facing its worst measles outbreak in over 30 years, with more than 3,200 cases reported this year and four measles-related deaths in Pennsylvania, including two infants and an 18-year-old. Kennedy, along with other speakers like Mark Gordon and Andrew Wakefield, aims to advocate for vaccine safety and effectiveness, reflecting the concerns of many American parents.