Missouri and Kansas senators got us into this RFK Jr. mess. They can fix it | Opinion
Daily reports indicate that the chaos and uncertainty surrounding the U.S. Department of Health and Human Sevices and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are rapidly worsening. Vaccine policy is at the forefront of controversy.
This uncertainly is not unexpected, given the history and rhetoric from HHS director Robert F. Kennedy Jr., whose appointment was confirmed by all four of Missouri and Kansas’ senators — Josh Hawley and Eric Schmitt of Missouri, and Roger Marshall and Jerry Moran of Kansas. Anyone under Kennedy’s purview who dares to challenge his position that vaccines are dangerous and kill people risks being fired, as we saw with former CDC Director Susan Monarez, who was replaced with the unqualified non-scientist Jim O’Neill, a hedge fund investor.
Kennedy offers pieces of so-called “evidence” for vaccines’ ineffectiveness that are conspiracy theories, which unfortunately promulgate rapidly on social media and are not founded on scientific fact. He recently unilaterally fired all 17 members of the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. He has filled these and other key health related positions with unqualified vaccine skeptics, as well as halting funding and research for vaccine development.
Detailed and validated medical research has demonstrated that in addition to better sanitation and clean water in the developed world, vaccinations have greatly improved health outcomes and decreased mortality from multiple infectious diseases. Some diseases, such as smallpox, have been essentially eradicated. Measles, mumps and rubella had been fairly rare in countries with vaccination rates high enough to confer herd immunity. Diphtheria and tetanus are extremely rare now due to widespread vaccinations. Polio, causing lifelong muscle wasting or death, was common before vaccinations and has been nearly eradicated, with a decline in the number of polio cases by over 99.9% since the launch of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative in 1988.
The chicken pox vaccine reduces lost time at school and work for parents but, more important, prevents the infection in the first place. It also greatly reduces the possibility of getting shingles later in life, which can cause extremely debilitating, long-term pain.
Influenza and COVID-19 vaccines unequivocally have been demonstrated to reduce hospitalizations and deaths, and help curb the spread of these viruses to vulnerable populations. The human papilloma virus vaccine has been shown to significantly reduce the incidence of cervical and oral cancers. There are many other effective vaccines that reduce disease occurrence, transmission, complications and death. International travel to many regions would be extremely dangerous without immunizations.
If none of these statements resonates with you, we suggest making a visit to a local cemetery and, judging by the ages of the deceased, notice the large number of children who died before vaccinations were available and encouraged through public health initiatives. Pediatric mortality and illnesses have been drastically improved with vaccinations.
Losing herd immunity
Sadly, a large segment of the population now distrusts science and the medical community, and believes vaccinations are a ploy to control us and feed dollars to Big Pharma. A growing movement to avoid childhood immunizations has grown to the point where some communities have vaccination rates below the critical mass to protect others (the concept of herd immunity). When vaccination rates drop enough, not only are individuals not protected, but infected people are likely to pass the infection on to another non-immunized people, or those suppressed immune systems. Such a brazen and cavalier attitude regarding serious communicable diseases is selfish, immoral and not supported by common sense or science.
The recent measles outbreaks, including a new one in Kansas, highlight this problem. As CDC leadership raises speculative questions regarding the benefits and risks of vaccinations, public trust is eroding faster and vaccination rates may fall further. The recent decision by the Florida surgeon general to remove all childhood immunization mandates is a devastating blow to public health.
The negative consequences of the anti-vaccine movement will probably not be felt for 10 years or longer. By then, the major perpetrators of this mayhem will be long gone — but they will have left us having to deal with a catastrophic onslaught of what would have been preventable public health crises.
Part of the blame for the cascade of events at the highest levels of our government clearly lies with a deficit of knowledgeable and unbiased leadership. The health secretary was narrowly approved by the Senate, which includes four physicians, all Republicans: John Barrasso of Wyoming, Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, Rand Paul of Kentucky and Kansas’ own Roger Marshall. It is evident that Kennedy repeatedly lied about his plans and policies when he was considered for his present position.
We ask that all the senators who voted to confirm Kennedy apologize and speak out against the measures he has taken, and ask for his resignation. Unfortunately, these elected officials remain silent and apparently fear doing the right thing because of concerns of retribution from the president, including measures to reduce their chances of reelection. This is clearly a distortion of how democracy should function.
It is unfortunate that vaccination has become a political issue, rather than being recognized as one of the major advancements in the human condition.
We really are concerned, and we hope you are, too. The 2026 elections are around the corner.
Peter Bock is a retired family physician. James Vacek is a retired cardiologist. They both live in the Kansas City region.