Listen to the article
In a recent congressional hearing, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. made misleading claims about chickenpox vaccination practices in Europe, suggesting the continent avoids vaccinating children due to increased shingles risk in older adults.
During his May 14 appearance before the House Appropriations Committee, Kennedy, who has long advocated against vaccines, sidestepped direct questions about whether he would vaccinate his own children against measles.
“For measles? Probably for measles. What I would say is my opinions about vaccines are irrelevant,” Kennedy told Rep. Mark Pocan (D-Wis.). “I don’t want to seem like I’m being evasive, but I don’t think people should be taking advice — medical advice from me.”
When questioned specifically about the chickenpox vaccine, Kennedy again deflected while making a questionable assertion about European practices.
“Again, I don’t want to give advice,” Kennedy said. “I can tell you in Europe they don’t use the chickenpox vaccine specifically because the preclinical trial shows that when you inoculate the population for chickenpox, you get shingles in older people, which is more dangerous.”
This characterization presents an incomplete picture of European vaccination policies. Several European countries, including Austria, Germany, Italy, and Spain, do routinely vaccinate children against chickenpox. Other nations have chosen different approaches, with some citing concerns about potential shingles impacts—though evidence hasn’t supported those fears.
Both chickenpox and shingles stem from the varicella-zoster virus (VZV). While chickenpox typically affects children as a primary infection, shingles occurs when the dormant virus reactivates later in life, often due to weakening immunity. Shingles generally causes more severe symptoms than chickenpox.
The theoretical concern Kennedy referenced stems from a hypothesis that exposure to children with active chickenpox infections might boost VZV immunity in adults, potentially reducing their shingles risk. Mathematical models predicted that widespread childhood vaccination could temporarily increase shingles cases in older adults during the first three to five decades of implementation before eventually causing dramatic declines.
However, real-world evidence hasn’t validated this concern. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), while shingles rates did gradually increase in the United States, this trend began before the chickenpox vaccine’s 1995 introduction and didn’t accelerate afterward. In recent years, the CDC reports that shingles rates have “plateaued or declined.”
Meanwhile, the chickenpox vaccine has delivered substantial public health benefits. The CDC notes that chickenpox cases have plummeted by more than 97% since vaccination began, with the program estimated to have saved nearly 2,000 lives and more than $23 billion in healthcare costs by 2020. The vaccine also significantly reduces the risk of shingles in children, while older adults concerned about shingles can receive an effective vaccine specifically developed for people 50 and older.
The United Kingdom recently reversed its previous stance on chickenpox vaccination. In November 2023, after years of not recommending routine vaccination partially due to shingles concerns, a UK vaccine advisory committee announced plans to implement universal chickenpox vaccination for children beginning in January 2026.
“It was thought that removing community circulation by vaccinating children would cause a problematic rise in shingles for as long as 20 years, but a recent long-term study from the USA disproved that theory,” explained a UK press release announcing the policy change.
Kennedy’s testimony reflects his continued skepticism toward vaccines despite his role as Health and Human Services Secretary. When requested to clarify his statements about European vaccination practices, HHS did not provide a response.
Fact Checker
Verify the accuracy of this article using The Disinformation Commission analysis and real-time sources.
14 Comments
Kennedy’s stance on vaccines is well-known, but his comments here seem evasive. As a public figure, he should be held accountable for the accuracy of his statements, especially on sensitive health topics.
Well said. Elected officials need to be transparent and substantiate their claims, rather than deflecting. The public deserves reliable information, not misleading rhetoric.
While I respect Kennedy’s right to his personal views, I’m troubled by the way he’s wielding his platform to sow doubt about vaccines. Responsible leaders should aim to build public trust in science-based public health policies.
Well said. Promoting unfounded vaccine skepticism, especially from a position of authority, can have real public health consequences. Kennedy should be held accountable for the accuracy and impact of his statements.
Kennedy’s evasiveness on the measles vaccine is telling. As a public figure, he should be willing to state his position clearly and back it up with evidence, rather than deflecting. Transparency is crucial on these issues.
Agreed. Elected officials have a responsibility to provide clear, factual information to the public, not spread misinformation or uncertainty. Kennedy’s response is concerning.
Kennedy’s comments highlight the ongoing tensions around vaccine policy. While reasonable people can disagree, it’s crucial that public discourse on these issues is grounded in facts, not rhetoric or personal beliefs.
Absolutely. Vaccine hesitancy can have serious public health implications, so it’s vital that policymakers and influencers responsibly communicate the scientific consensus, not unsubstantiated claims.
This seems like another example of the ongoing debate around vaccine safety and efficacy. While reasonable people can disagree, it’s critical that policy decisions are grounded in sound science, not personal beliefs or political agendas.
Exactly. Public health policy should be guided by expert consensus, not unsubstantiated claims. Kennedy’s comments raise more questions than they answer.
I’m curious to learn more about the European perspective on the chickenpox vaccine that Kennedy referenced. Are there legitimate scientific concerns, or is this another case of cherry-picking data to support an ideological position?
Good point. It would be helpful to get input from public health authorities in Europe to better understand their rationale, if any, for limiting the chickenpox vaccine. Relying on anecdotal claims is insufficient.
Interesting claims by Kennedy, though the assertion about Europe’s chickenpox vaccine policy seems questionable. I’d be curious to see the evidence behind that statement. Vaccination practices can be complex, with potential tradeoffs to consider.
Agreed, it’s important to scrutinize claims, especially around public health issues. Fact-checking the Europe claim would be prudent before drawing any conclusions.