U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has launched an agency-wide initiative to study and document health problems reported after vaccination, according to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
The initiative marks another step in Kennedy’s efforts to reshape federal immunisation policy. He has repeatedly questioned vaccine safety and previously founded an organisation known for its opposition to vaccination.
The HHS initiative focuses on collecting and examining reports of health problems that occur after people receive vaccines. However, an adverse health event following vaccination does not automatically mean the vaccine caused it. Establishing a causal link requires scientific assessment of the timing, medical evidence and other possible explanations.
Kennedy has also argued that American children receive too many vaccines. His repeated claim that children can receive up to 90 doses before turning 18 has been disputed by medical experts. Vaccine schedules may involve multiple doses and combination vaccines, but dose counts alone do not establish that the schedule is unsafe.
The American Academy of Pediatrics says childhood vaccines undergo clinical testing, including studies using comparison groups, before approval. Their safety continues to be monitored after they become available to the public.
Vaccine safety monitoring is an established part of public health, helping researchers identify potential problems and investigate unusual patterns. Experts distinguish between reports that identify a possible safety signal and evidence demonstrating that a vaccine caused a particular condition.
The new initiative is expected to bring greater attention to reported vaccine injuries and federal safety reviews. Its scientific value will depend on transparent methods, reliable evidence and careful interpretation of findings.

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