Trump to discuss ending child vaccination program with Kennedy

(Patria) - Newly elected US President Donald Trump said in an interview published on Thursday that he would discuss ending child vaccination programs with Robert F. Kennedy Jr., his candidate to lead the Department of Health, Reuters reported.

When asked if he would approve if Kennedy decided to abolish childhood vaccination programs, Trump told Time magazine: "We will have a big discussion. The autism rate is at a level that no one ever believed possible. If you look at the things that are happening, there is something that causes it."

When asked if the discussion could lead to his administration getting rid of some vaccinations, Trump said: "It could if I think it's dangerous, if I think they are not useful, but I don't think it will be very controversial in the end."

Asked in a November 25 interview if he thought childhood autism was linked to vaccines, Trump said: "No, I'll listen to Bobby," referring to Kennedy. Trump said he greatly respects Kennedy and his views on vaccination.

Kennedy, who opposed state and federal restrictions during COVID-19 and has been accused of spreading misinformation about the virus, has for years sown doubts about the safety and efficacy of vaccines, including claiming a debunked link between vaccines and autism.

Trump has previously suggested that vaccines could be linked to autism.

"I want to see the numbers," he said.

"At the end of the studies we are doing, and we are doing our best, we will know what is good and what is not good."

"He (Kennedy) disagrees with vaccinations, all vaccinations. He probably disagrees with some," Trump said.

If confirmed to lead the department, Kennedy would oversee the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which controls which vaccines are recommended for Americans and when they should receive them. He would also lead the Vaccines for Children program, which provides free vaccines for some children. The remarks are consistent with comments Trump made in an interview with Meet The Press on Sunday, in which he said the potential risks of vaccines should be studied.

"I think vaccines, certain vaccines, are incredible. But maybe some are not. And if they are not, we have to find out," he said.