McConnell Defends the Polio Vaccine
WASHINGTON — Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., a polio survivor, responded critically to a report indicating that a key advisor to Robert F. Kennedy Jr. sought to revoke the approval of the polio vaccine.
Kennedy, who is slated to be President-elect Donald Trump’s choice for Secretary of Health and Human Services, has long been a vocal opponent of childhood vaccinations and has inconsistently linked their use to an increase in autism.
McConnell, stemming from personal experience with the disease, emphasized the vaccine’s lifesaving impacts. He stated, “The polio vaccine has saved millions of lives and held out the promise of eradicating a terrible disease. Efforts to undermine public confidence in proven cures are not just uninformed — they’re dangerous.”
The controversy surfaced after Aaron Siri, an advisor to Kennedy, lodged a petition with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2022, while acting on behalf of the organization Informed Consent Action Network—an anti-vaccine group. According to reports, Siri’s petition called for revoking the vaccine’s approval.
In a response to inquiries, a spokesperson for Kennedy acknowledged that Siri is advising him but clarified that they had not discussed the petition aimed at the polio vaccine.
McConnell affirmed his commitment to defending access to the vaccine and stated, “I have never flinched from confronting specious disinformation that threatens the advance of lifesaving medical progress, and I will not today.”
Kennedy’s Stance on Vaccines
Despite his anti-vaccine reputation, Kennedy has previously proclaimed he would not pursue efforts to remove vaccinations from individuals. He remarked, “If vaccines are working for somebody, I’m not going to take them away. People ought to have choice, and that choice ought to be informed by the best information.”
Kennedy, however, has proposed to conduct thorough reviews of the processes involved in vaccine approvals, focusing on ensuring robust safety studies are available.
In comments directed at the Senate, McConnell emphasized that any nominee for confirmation must clarify their position regarding the polio vaccine, indirectly referencing Kennedy’s controversial affiliations. He noted, “Anyone seeking the Senate’s consent to serve in the incoming Administration would do well to steer clear of even the appearance of association with such efforts.”
Kennedy is scheduled to meet with senators next week, as McConnell prepares to step back from his leadership role in January, but is likely to remain a significant figure in the Senate.
