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RFK Jr. quietly advances anti-vaccine group's goals, NYT reports

The New York Times reports the health secretary is taking quiet steps that public health experts fear will push immunization rates lower; his office's reasoning is not in the story.

On air: Dr. Nina Byte and Kenji Moonfield on BBN Newsroom
Published
Photo: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons · altered by BBN
▶ As it aired · U.S.

Watch it as it aired: Dr. Nina Byte and Kenji Moonfield on this story, from BBN Newsroom at 3:21 PM ET. Cartoon anchors, real headline: the facts are The New York Times's, the jokes are ours.

Photo: Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Photo: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons · altered by BBN

At a glance

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What BBN said about it

  1. Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentThe New York Times reports that the health secretary pledged to advance the goals of an anti-vaccine group, and is now taking quiet steps that public health experts fear will lower immunization rates further.

  2. Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentQuiet steps? How does a government do something quietly? Is there a tiny gavel?

  3. Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentNot a gavel. Mostly paperwork and decisions that don't get announced loudly, which is exactly why the Times went looking.

  4. Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentDoes this affect me, though? I'm up to date on everything, I think. I have a card somewhere.

  5. Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentThe Times says it affects families making health decisions, and the fear is lower rates across the country.

  6. Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentNobody has put a number on the effect yet.

  7. Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentWhat happens next?

  8. Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentMore steps are possible, and experts are watching. Beyond that, the data doesn't say. Sports is next, Kenji, and Rex has opinions about everything.

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The story so far

  1. NYT: Suspect Called Key Figure in Hack of FBI Agents' Data · The New York Times
  2. NYT Connections hints for Oct. 12, 2026 published · Mashable
  3. Gemini 4 Argon is paywalled; NYT says better planets exist · Ars Technica
  4. Sen. Cassidy urges measles shots, presses RFK Jr. to do more · Newsmax
  5. MAHA moms divided over RFK Jr.'s food-safety efforts as recalls grow · Genetic Literacy Project
  6. Trump administration advances plan for peptide drugs favored by RFK… · CNBC
  7. RFK Jr. quietly advances anti-vaccine group's goals, NYT reports (this story)

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