• THE FLAG
  • Posts
  • 💉 Vaccines, Views, and Vetting

💉 Vaccines, Views, and Vetting

RFK Jr.’s HHS nomination sparks vaccine debate, Trump seeks damage control

December 18, 2024

The Flag


Good morning and Happy Wednesday!

As we near the end of this campaign, we’re feeling inspired—and determined. The support so far has been heartening, proving that this community values independent, quality content.

But we’re not across the finish line yet. Every subscription matters, and yours could make all the difference. Now is the perfect time to act if you're on the fence.

  • $3/month: Get access to our Sunday newsletter.

  • $7/month: Sunday edition + ad-free content.

Here’s where we stand:

  • 42 total subscription upgrades

  • 14 days to reach 1,000 subscribers

Together, we can make this sustainable. Subscribe now and let’s finish strong.

Left: The End and Beginning of the Lina Khan Era, David Dayen, American Prospect

Left: Democrats' Five Strategies for Trump 2.0, Ed Kilgore, New York Magazine

Right: KBJ on Stage, SCOTUS Colleagues Barely Leave Home, Mollie Hemingway, The Federalist

Right: Federalist Society Names New CEO for Influential Group, Kaelan Deese, Washington Examiner

HEALTH

Vaccines, Views, and Vetting

Today’s Top Story: President-elect Donald Trump's nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for Health and Human Services Secretary has sparked controversy over his anti-vaccine stance and unconventional health views, as Kennedy works to reassure senators and the public of his support for critical vaccines like polio amidst widespread skepticism.

Reporting from the Left: RFK Jr. meets with senators as questions swirl about Trump’s pick to lead health agency (AP)

Reporting from the Right: RFK Jr tries to ease concerns over vaccine skepticism in meetings with GOP senators (Washington Examiner)

LEFT-LEANING SENTIMENT

Incredibly Dangerous

The Top Argument From The Left: RFK Jr. Is Giving Infectious Diseases a Promotional Tour, Gregg Gonsalves, The Nation: “So when The New York Times reported that RFK Jr.’s lawyer, Aaron Siri, asked the Food and Drug Administration to revoke the approval of the polio vaccine, I was filled with rage. My father’s story and the story of the millions who have suffered and died from the disease are a matter of historical fact, as is the medical miracle of the advent of a vaccine to prevent the infection. … My anger isn’t exactly for RFK Jr. and Aaron Siri—they are half zealots, half cynical grifters. Rather, it is for members of US Congress who are considering voting for RFK Jr.’s nomination to be secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, and those in the media who have platformed RFK Jr.’s views as not-all-bad, as if you can choose from his various views like you’re ordering from a restaurant, asking the chef to hold the onions. There are no substitutions on this menu—to vote for, or to promote RFK Jr., is to get all of him. … With an administration ceding vaccine policy to RFK Jr., Republicans across the country are likely to ‘follow the leader’ on immunization for other diseases. … There is no silver lining to the RFK Jr. nomination, and there is no ‘living with it’ either—the man is a death-eater and a menace.”

Honorable Mention #1: Why Mitch McConnell’s latest clashes with Trump matter, Steve Benen, MSNBC

RIGHT-LEANING SENTIMENT

Skepticism on School Vax Mandates

The Top Argument From The Right: Trump says he’s skeptical of school vax mandates, open to autism link as HHS nominee RFK Jr. meets senators, Steven Nelson, New York Post: “President-elect Donald Trump said Monday that ‘I don’t like’ school vaccine mandates and that “brilliant people” are investigating whether inoculations cause autism — as famously vaccine-skeptical Health and Human Services secretary-designee Robert F. Kennedy Jr. met with senators considering his nomination. … State school systems, rather than the federal government, typically set student vaccine mandates. Currently, all 50 states require the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine for K-12 school children as well as the polio vaccine — though states have wide-ranging policies allowing for exemptions on medical, religious or philosophical grounds. Unvaccinated children have in some instances been identified as causing local measles outbreaks. … The theory that vaccines may be linked to autism is regarded as a conspiracy theory by the medical establishment due to the lack of scientific evidence. Kennedy’s stance on vaccines has drawn concern from some Senate Republicans — who will hold a 53-47 majority next month — and it’s unclear if he can secure enough votes to lead the Department of Health and Human Services. ‘RFK has as much chance of getting confirmed by the Senate as he does of taking a vaccine shot,’ a Senate Republican source scoffed to The Post last month.”

FLAG THIS

Polio by the Numbers

Poliomyelitis (polio) is a highly infectious viral disease primarily affecting children under 5, transmitted mainly through the fecal-oral route.

  • Since the 1988 launch of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, wild poliovirus cases have dropped by over 99%, from 350,000 cases in 125+ countries to just 6 cases in 2021.

  • Two strains have been eradicated: wild poliovirus type 2 (1999) and type 3 (2020).

  • As of 2022, wild poliovirus type 1 remains endemic in Pakistan and Afghanistan (World Health Organization).

Are you concerned about RFK Jr.’s views on vaccines?

Login or Subscribe to participate in polls.

14 DAYS TO GO

If we get 1,000 paying subscribers by December 31, we’ll continue this newsletter in 2025. If we don’t, we will discontinue.

We are capitalists, so we will let the market (aka, YOU) decide whether or not this newsletter should live or die.

We have two options for you to choose from:

  • $3/mo: You’ll get our Sunday newsletter too.

  • $7/mo: You’ll get our Sunday newsletter and an ad-free experience.

The clock is ticking. We have 14 days to reach 1,000 subscribers.

WATERCOOLER

Plymouth Arrival, Philosopher Friends, Nog’s Noble Past

On this day in 1620, with the English ship Mayflower anchored in Plymouth Harbor, Massachusetts, a small party of sailors from the vessel go ashore as its passengers prepare to begin their new settlement, Plymouth Colony.

14 DAYS TO GO

If we get 1,000 paying subscribers by December 31, we’ll continue this newsletter in 2025. If we don’t, we will discontinue.

We are capitalists, so we will let the market (aka, YOU) decide whether or not this newsletter should live or die.

We have two options for you to choose from:

  • $3/mo: You’ll get our Sunday newsletter too.

  • $7/mo: You’ll get our Sunday newsletter and an ad-free experience.

The clock is ticking. We have 14 days to reach 1,000 subscribers.

Reply

or to participate.