1. United States
2. Ala.
3. Letter

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s long history of spreading misinformation and stoking fear about vaccines is deeply concerning. The disturbing accounts of families like the Faheys, whose deceased son's photo was exploited without permission for an anti-vaccine book, demonstrate Kennedy's lack of ethics and empathy. His rhetoric has inspired harassment and violence against public health officials simply doing their jobs. Furthermore, his role in enabling outbreaks like the deadly 2019 measles epidemic in Samoa shows how dangerous his influence can be. Someone who has caused such harm by undermining trust in essential, life-saving medical care should not be put in charge of public health policy for the nation. Kennedy's candidacy for a cabinet position overseeing health and human services represents a real threat that could endanger more lives through the further promotion of his scientifically debunked views on vaccines and public health measures. He has proven himself unfit to lead the department responsibly.