Two decades ago, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. emerged as an anti-vaccine activist. In 2005, he gained attention for his article “Deadly Immunity” published by Salon and Rolling Stone, which contained several errors and misinformation. Kennedy falsely claimed that there was a cover-up by the medical establishment regarding the harmful effects of vaccines on children. Although numerous studies have proven there is no link between thimerosal, a preservative once used in childhood vaccines, and autism, Kennedy continued to be a prominent anti-vaccine figure alongside discredited researcher Andrew Wakefield.
Although Kennedy’s false claims have been debunked, his article remained available online for years. It was not until 2011 when journalist Seth Mnookin published “The Panic Virus” that Rolling Stone removed Kennedy’s article and Salon issued a retraction. Kennedy, however, has not backed down from his anti-vaccine stance, labeling criticisms as censorship and his opponents as “big shots” and “bullies.” Even after being banned from Instagram for sharing misinformation, Kennedy remains vocal about his views.
While Kennedy may not pose a serious threat to Joe Biden’s presidential nomination, he continues to gain attention, particularly from conservative outlets like Fox News. Mnookin, the author of “The Panic Virus,” recently discussed Kennedy’s resurgence and the changing political dynamics within the anti-vaccine movement. He expresses disappointment in the fact that Kennedy’s false claims still gain support, attributing it to a general belief in conspiracy theories and a lack of responsible media coverage.
Mnookin believes that Kennedy’s support comes from a broader sentiment of distrust in established systems. This sentiment is not limited to anti-vaccine beliefs nor solely driven by Republicans opposing Biden. There is a growing belief that unseen forces control society, and Kennedy taps into this conspiracy-minded thinking. Moreover, media coverage of the vaccine controversy in the late ’90s, treating settled scientific facts as debatable, has contributed to misinformation spreading. Responsible and critical coverage is crucial in countering the support for Kennedy and his views.
Denial of responsibility! VigourTimes is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
