Family members of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. are publicly breaking with him over his “misinformation” about childhood vaccinations.
A column written for Politico by Joseph Kennedy II, Kathleen Kennedy Townsend and Maeve Kennedy McKean, cited the outbreaks of measles in the U.S. and around the world.
“These tragic numbers are caused by the growing fear and mistrust of vaccines — amplified by internet doomsayers,” they wrote. “Robert F. Kennedy Jr. — Joe and Kathleen’s brother and Maeve’s uncle — is part of this campaign to attack the institutions committed to reducing the tragedy of preventable infectious diseases.
“He has helped to spread dangerous misinformation over social media and is complicit in sowing distrust of the science behind vaccines.”
The three stressed their love for Bobby and noted he “is one of the great champions of the environment.”
“We stand behind him in his ongoing fight to protect our environment,” they wrote. “However, on vaccines he is wrong.
“And his and others’ work against vaccines is having heartbreaking consequences.”
They warned: “Those who delay or refuse vaccinations, or encourage others to do so, put themselves and others, especially children, at risk.”
The three maintained “everyone must communicate the benefits and safety of vaccines. and advocate for the respect and confidence of the institutions which make them possible.”