“I think we have to be very careful,” Trump said when asked about plans to phase out Florida’s vaccine mandate. “Look, you have a really great vaccine.”
RFK Jr. CDC Director burned by the Senate over restrictions on Covid vaccines
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. faced tough, bipartisan questions about limiting the Covid vaccine to older, at-risk Americans.
Scripps News -Koaa Colorado Springs
WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump said Americans should take a “controversial” vaccine as they distanced themselves from Florida’s plans to finish all vaccine missions, including school children.
On September 5, Trump gave him one of his clearest defenses on September 5, in response to questions from reporters who called for his position on new, controversial policies in Florida, driven by Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration. The president’s remarks came as his own health and welfare secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., is under the fire amidst the CDC’s chaos sparked by Kennedy’s vaccine skepticism.
“I think we have to be very careful,” Trump said when asked about plans to phase out Florida’s vaccine mandate. “Look, you have a really great vaccine.”
Trump promoted the polio vaccine, calling it “surprising” and added, “COVID (vaccine) is amazing.”
“I think you have to be very careful when some people say they don’t need to get vaccinated, and that’s a very tough position,” Trump said.
He added: “You have vaccines. They’re pure and simple jobs. They’re totally controversial. And I think you should use those vaccines. Otherwise some people will catch it and put others at risk.
While Trump’s criticism of his leader was mounted, Kennedy, who rose to face grills from the senators during a September 4 hearing over his actions as the nation’s finest health authorities, reflecting his long-standing skepticism about vaccines.
In June, Kennedy fired all 17 members of the committee that advises the federal government on vaccine safety, replacing them with handpicked choices. In August, the Food and Drug Administration set stricter guidelines on who can receive the latest Covid-19 vaccine, recommending shots only for people over the age of 65 or with existing health issues. Trump fired CDC director Susan Monares on August 27th after disagreement with Kennedy over vaccine policy.
During an explosive hearing before the Senate Treasury Committee, Kennedy refused to acknowledge the more than 1 million Americans who died from the coronavirus, as widely accepted in the public health community, and was reluctant to give credit to the Covid-19 vaccine in saving lives.
“I don’t know how many people died,” Kennedy said. “There’s a lot of data chaos coming out of the CDC, so I don’t think anyone knows it.”
Reach Joey Garrison with X @joeygarrison.
